Right now, I think we could all use a cozy rainbow knit blanket, right? Something to remind us that after every storm, there is a rainbow.
Plus all those April showers bring May flowers. And that’s the theme of this cuddly quillow. Yes, I said quillow.
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A quillow is a quilt with a reversible pocket strategically places so it can be folded to fit inside the pocket, making a pillow. Brilliant right?
These are great for a movie night or kids sleepover. Check out the rainbow knit blanket in action with the video below.
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Supplies:
- 10 mm (15) Knitting Needles
- Yarn Needle
- Sewing Thread & Needle
- Scissors
- Row Counter
- 3 Buttons either 1 inch or 1 ¼ inch
- Craft 9×12 Felt Sheets in Colors:
- White, Dark Blue, Light Blue, Black; For Heart design: White, Pink, Dark Pink; For Flowers Design: Pink, Dark Pink, Light Green, Dark Green, and Yellow
- Quick Dry Fabric Fuse Permanent Adhesive
Yarn:
- Caron Simply Soft Worsted in Colors 2 skeins of each color:
- Color A: Lavender Blue
- Color B: Soft Blue
- Color C: Pistachio
- Color D: Sunshine
- Color E: Persimmon
- Color F: Strawberry
Abbreviations:
- k- knit
Size:
- Sizes in inches:
- Baby: 38 x 38
- Child: 42 x 46
- Throw: 52 x 54
Gauge:
9 stitches by 12 rows = 4 inches x 4 inches
Skill Level: Easy
As long as gauge is met, these yarns can be substituted:
Red Heart Super Saver or Simply Soft
Big Twist Value
Caron One Pound Yarn
Loops and Threads Impeccable Yarn
Knit Picks Mighty Stitch
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Notes for the Knit Rainbow Blanket:
This blanket will be worked holding 3 strands of yarn at once. BUT, a huge helper here. Use the awesome method shown in the video below. Yes, you can create bulky yarn from one skein and avoid tangles!
Rainbow Knit Blanket Instructions:
Blanket Body:
| Step | Description | Row Count |
| 1 | With Color A, cast on (Baby 90, Child 98, Throw 117), knit Stitch count is 90, 98, 117 throughout | 2, 2, 2 |
| 2 | Work garter stitch (knit every row) for (15, 16, 18) rows | 17, 18, 20 |
| 3 | With 2 strands Color A and 1 strand Color B, knit for (3, 3, 4) rows | 20, 21, 24 |
| 4 | With 1 strand Color A and 2 strands Color B, knit for (3, 3, 4) rows | 23, 24, 28 |
| 5 | With 3 strands Color B, knit for (17, 18, 20) rows | 40, 42, 48 |
| 6 | With 2 strands Color B and 1 strand Color C, knit for (3, 3, 4) rows | 43, 45, 52 |
| 7 | With 1 strand Color B and 2 strands Color C, knit for (3, 3, 4) rows | 46, 48, 56 |
| 8 | With 3 strands Color C, knit for (17, 18, 20) rows | 59, 66, 76 |
| 9 | With 2 strands Color C and 1 strand Color D, knit for (3, 3, 4) rows | 62, 69, 80 |
| 10 | With 1 strand Color C and 2 strands Color D, knit for (3, 3, 4) rows | 65, 72, 84 |
| 11 | With 3 strands Color D, knit for (17, 18, 20) rows | 82, 90, 104 |
| 12 | With 2 strands Color D and 1 strand Color E, knit for (3, 3, 4) rows | 85, 93, 108 |
| 13 | With 1 strand Color D and 2 strands Color E, knit for (3, 3, 4) rows | 88, 96, 112 |
| 14 | With 3 strands Color E, knit for (17, 18, 20) rows | 105, 114, 132 |
| 15 | With 2 strands Color E and 1 strand Color F, knit for (3, 3, 4) rows | 108, 117, 136 |
| 16 | With 1 strand Color E and 2 strands Color F, knit for (3, 3, 4) rows | 111, 120, 140 |
| 17 | With 3 strands Color F, knit for (16, 17, 19) rows | 127, 137, 159 |
| 18 | Bind off | 128, 138, 160 |
Knit Pillow Pocket
| Row | Description | Stitch Count |
| 1 | With Color B –blue, cast on (28, 30, 36), knit | 28, 30, 36 |
| 2 | Knit, repeat this row (38, 42, 48) more times | 28, 30, 36 |
| 3 | Bind off 4, knit (20, 22, 28), bind off 4 | 20, 22, 32 |
| 4 | Knit remaining live stitches for 5 rows for all sizes | 20, 22, 32 |
| 5 | Bind off, leaving a tail to stitch corners. | 20, 22, 32 |
Attaching Pocket to Blanket
Using a yarn needle, hand sew the corner cutout edges together. This will form the pocket/base when folding into a pillow. Then hand sew or whip stitch the pocket to the center bottom of the blanket on the wrong side of the blanket over the Color A and Color B rows.
Felt Rainbow Blanket Pieces:
Assembling Felt Pieces:
Cut out all cloud pieces at the end of the pattern. I recommend using permanent glue and needle and thread to stitch the pieces together and to the blanket.
For the inside of the pouch, there are two options to choose from: a heart design or a flower design. Pick with applique to put on the inside of the pouch.
Flower Applique Option:
Cut out flower pieces. Using a needle and thread, stitch along the bottom straight side of the flower shape.
Gently pull sewing thread until flower forms and fasten into place. Using glue and a sewing needle, secure small and large flower pieces together. Place the button in the center of a small flower.
Cut out green leaf and stem pieces and secure to the blanket. Place flowers at the top of the stems and secure the flowers and buttons to the blanket by gluing and stitching.
Cut out bee pieces and glue pieces, as shown in the picture. Turn the bee, so the backside is facing and cut the excess black felt that extends over the body of the bee—secure bee to the blanket by gluing and stitching.
Heart Applique Option:
Cut out heart pieces, glue together and stitch onto blanket.
How to fold a Quillow:
Place the blanket on a flat surface with the pocket side down.
Fold the sides of the blanket toward the middle, overlapping the long edges.
Turn the pocket over the bottom end of the blanket.
Fold the remaining end of the blanket into thirds and into the pocket to form a pillow.
Crochet & Tag
I hope you have enjoyed making the Rainbow Knit Blanket Pattern!
If you have made this, please share it on social media. Above all I love to see the projects created with my patterns and also share your beautiful work.
Please use #brianakdesigns or @brianakdesigns
It is much appreciated and adored!
