Things just keep getting brighter around here, and this picnic blanket crochet pattern is no exception! With a simple stitch and a vibrant color changing yarn, this blanket is perfect to take outside with you this summer!

See the full free pattern below, or you can also find the ad-free printable in my Etsy shop HERE, or the kit from Lion Brand HERE.

The fringe works out perfectly and the colors are so happy. 🙂

As I was perusing yarns for this project, I came across the perfect color option that I had rarely seen used! The “Broadway” colorway in so perfect and bright, and it won’t get stained when you lay it out on the grass. I mean, it might, but you’d never see it with all that color. Yay!

I don’t always love using crocheted blankets as picnic or outdoor blankets because they seem too “special” or I’m worried they won’t hold up to the use. But this blanket is sturdy and the colors are so perfect for summer fun outside.

What colorway would you make yours? You might remember my Woodland Prismatic, which used two different colors. You could totally do that as well!

Another bonus – my teenage daughter likes this blanket. She is the pickiest connoisseur I tell ya, but she thinks this blanket is awesome.

This is another blanket, much like my Rolling Hills Throw, and the Sundance Throw where you can just work through each skein of yarn without making any color changes.

The Mountain Throw pictured below is another one that is similar! It’s lighter than the Fiesta Picnic Blanket.

The Mountain Throw also used color changing yarn and it’s a lighter blanket.

Today’s blanket can be machine washed, which was definitely necessary if you’re making it a picnic blanket. HOWEVER, it works beatifully as a throw for your home or bedroom as well! I just personally love the idea of taking this happy, bright throw outside!

I kept it easy by not adding a border, but you certainly could. The fringe is a cool detail, but totally optional.

It uses the granny stitch, which is such a classic yet trendy stitch. You can see a full granny stitch tutorial and video HERE.

In this pattern, we will use half double crochet stitches instead of the classic double crochet stitch. It makes the blanket less “holey” and a little thicker to lay on the grass or sand outside.

Isn’t it just perfect for a party situation outside? But also, I can totally see it in an eclectic room or as a bright, fun addition to a chair.

Okay, let’s get to this pattern!

Remember, the printable, ad-free version may be purchased from my Etsy store HERE. Thank you for your support!

Description:

The colorful Fiesta Blanket is perfect for your home, beach, or picnic with it’s festive look and the soft yet durable stitching! No worries about laying it on the grass – stains won’t show up with all that color, and it can be machine washed. The slight variation on the granny stitch makes for smaller holes and a lofty texture. There are no color changes needed with the self striping yarn. Pick your favorite colorway and make this gorgeous summer throw!

Materials:

10 Lion Brand Landscapes Yarn in Boardwalk 100 g/skein and 147 yds KIT HERE

Pattern uses 1,000 grams

US size K 6.5 mm crochet hook

Scissors

Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Size (approximate):

45” inches X 33” inches

Size can be adjusted and customized. See the “Pattern Notes” for more details.

Gauge:

3 ½ groups of 3hdc sts and 10 rows in 4” X 4” of pattern

Pattern Notes:

This blanket is crocheted with the granny stitch, using half double crochet stitches. There are no color changes as the yarn is self striping. Simply work through each skein of yarn until your blanket reaches your desired length!

To adjust the width (as written, it is 45” inches), make your chain longer or shorter with a multiple of 3 plus two extra stitches (3 +2). To make the blanket longer, simply crochet until the blanket reaches your desired length. Keep yarn needs in mind if you adjust the size.

You can see a granny stitch tutorial on the Mama In A Stitch blog here: https://www.mamainastitch.com/how-to-crochet-the-granny-stitch/

This tutorial uses the same stitch pattern as in this pattern, but uses double crochet stitches instead of half double crochet stitches. Keep this in mind as you practice!

Abbreviations (US) & Skills:

ch – chain

st – stitch

sc – single crochet

hdc – half double crochet

ch2sp – chain 2 space

Remember, you can find a blog post and video on how to crochet the granny stitch HERE!

Fiesta Picnic Blanket Crochet Pattern

Ch 122 sts

Row 1 Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch st across. 121 sts

Row 2 Ch 3, turn, hdc in same st as ch3, *sk 2 stitches, 3hdc in next stitch; repeat from * across row until final stitch, make 2hdc in last stitch.

Row 3 Ch 3 (counts as a stitch), turn, make 3hdc in sp between hdc groups across the row to last stitch, make one hdc in top of last st of row.

(Note: “sp” refers to the space between the group of 3hdc in previous row. Do not work into the stitch, but rather into the space between groups of hdc stitches)

Row 4 Ch 3 (counts as a stitch), turn, hdc in same st as ch 3, 3hdc in each space across row until final stitch, make 2hdc in last st of row.

Repeat rows 3 & 4, in that order, until the blanket reaches 33” inches or your desired length. If you plan to add fringe, leave one skein for that detail.

Tie off and weave in ends!

Optional Fringe:

Add fringe along each end of the blanket.

Simply cut four strands of yarn approximately 10” inches long. Hold the strands together and fold in half. With a crochet hook or preferred method, draw the folded end through the crocheted fabric. Next, pull the ends of the yarn through and tighten. Repeat this along each end, adding fringe approximately every 2” inches. There are also lots of tutorials online if you search “how to make fringe with yarn”. And I included pictures on how to do it with my Woven Wonders Knit Blanket HERE.

That’s all there is to it!

So easy, right? While fall and winter are my big crochet and knitting months, there is something really fun about making projects that we can use in the happy summer months.