Add some sunshine in your life with the Sunray Throw! Included in the ad-free copy is a printable and digital chart of the sunshine intarsia colorwork sections, so you can easily track your individual progress. Slip stitches are used for the contrasting stripes to create a knit-like fabric and the center stripe has an exposed edge for added texture.
It’s finally here! After months of teasing it, the Sunray Throw is now available as a free crochet pattern and as a kit with Lion Brand Yarn!
The Sunray Throw is the crochet version of the Sunshine Throw knit pattern.
When I released the Sunshine Throw free knit pattern back in February, y’all kept saying how you wished you knew how to knit because you liked the blanket design so much, so I made the crochet version!
I tried really hard to make the crochet blanket as similar to the knit blanket as crochet allows.
I used crochet slip stitches to mimic the garter knit stripes on the Sunshine Throw, and I completely started the blanket over 3 times because I was unhappy with the sizing/differences between the 2 blankets.
I think I finally got it right, and I’m so happy with how they BOTH turned out.
DESCRIPTION
The Sunray Throw is a crochet pattern made using only half double crochets and slip stitches for the blanket. The small contrasting stripes are made with a larger hook and done in slip stitches to make the crochet stitches look as similar to the garter knit stitch as possible.
3 sun charts are used for the suns in both the top and bottom sections, and an easy-to-track digital chart is included in the PDF copy as well as the kit, or view the chart below.
I have used Basic Stitch Yarn many times, but the Anti-Microbial line is a nice addition.
The yarn is made from 65% recycled polyester and 35% amicor acrylic.
Amicor is an anti-microbial fiber which provides protection against odor, allergens, and bacteria.
It is also GRS (Global Recycling Standard) certified because of the large amount of recycled product.
To learn more about the line, check it out here.
DIFFICULTY
The Sunray Throw is considered intermediate crochet because of the colorwork.
I used intarsia crochet techniques for the suns, so I created individual bobbins of color for each colorblock section (besides the stripes).
If unsure how to do crochet colorwork, or if you want a refresher course, view this blog post HERE.
There are also half double crochet front loop only (flo) and half double crochet (blo) to help the stripes pop out like garter stitch stripes do on knit blankets.
As seen in the picture above, if you rotate the work towards you, you will see two loops . Working into the back loop only as shown in the picture, is how you do a hdc blo.
Conversely, working into the front loop only would mean you would only work into that loop that is in the front or closest to you.
MATERIALS
- 1390 yds of Basic Stitch Anti-Microbial weight 4 yarn in “Maize“
- 420 yds of Basic Stitch Anti-Microbial weight 4 yarn in “Vintage“
- US H-8/5.0 mm crochet hook
- US L-11/8.0 mm crochet hook
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
- Stitch Markers
- Optional: Steamer for Blocking
GAUGE
10 hdc sts and 7 rows = 4″
FINISHED SIZE
48 x 62 inches
TERMINOLOGY
- A – color A
- B – color B
- blo – back loop only
- ch(s) – chain(s)
- flo – front loop only
- hdc – half double crochet
- rem – remaining
- rep – repeat
- Rnd – round
- RS – right side
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
NOTES
- You will be making the throw from bottom up.
- Every block of the chart represents 1 hdc.
- The ch 1 does not count as a st.
- The ch 2 counts as a st.
- There are 2 sections that use a rep chart. Before beginning the chart, ch 2, rep the chart 3 times, and hdc 1.
- Create bobbins of colors before beginning for intarsia crochet techniques.
- You need to be familiar with how to change colors using the “yarn under technique”. If unsure how to do so, see this blog post for further explanation.
As a visual of what the blanket will look like, below is a chart of the full blanket, but I would recommend using the small sun chart (pictured above) as it will be easier to read and follow.
If you want to track your individual progress of the chart digitally, you can purchase the Lion Brand Yarn Kit, or buy the ad-free version of the pattern.
PATTERN
Using A and Size H-8/5 mm crochet hook, ch 129
Row 1 (RS): hdc 1 in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across, turn (128 sts)
Rows 2-10: ch 2, hdc across, turn, fasten off A after the last row worked
Rows 11-16: using B and Size L-11/8 mm crochet hook, ch 1, loosely sl st flo across, turn, fasten off B after the last row worked
Row 17: using A and Size H-8/5 mm crochet hook, ch 2, hdc blo, turn
Rows 18-19: ch 2, hdc across, turn, fasten off A after the last row worked
Rows 20-33: using B, ch 2, follow chart to change colors with individual bobbins as needed, rep chart 3 times across, hdc 1, turn, fasten off B after the last row worked
Rows 34-36: using A, ch 2, hdc across, turn, fasten off A after the last row worked
Rows 37-42: using B and Size L-11/8 mm crochet hook, ch 1, loosely sl st flo across, turn, fasten off B after the last row worked
Row 43: using A and Size H-8/5 mm crochet hook, ch 2, hdc blo, turn
Rows 44-65: ch 2, hdc across, turn, fasten off A after the last row worked
Row 66: using B and Size L-11/8 mm crochet hook, ch 1, loosely sl st blo across, turn
Rows 67-77: ch 1, loosely sl st flo across, turn, do not turn at the end of Row 77, fasten off B after the last row worked
Row 78 (RS): using Size H-8/5 mm crochet hook, join A on RS, ch 2, hdc blo across, turn
Rows 79-100: rep Rows 44-65
Row 101: using B and Size L-11/8 mm crochet hook, ch 1, loosely sl st blo across, turn
Rows 102-106: ch 1, loosely sl st flo across, turn, fasten off B after the last row worked
Row 107: using A and Size H-8/5 mm crochet hook, ch 2, hdc flo across, turn
Rows 108-109: ch 2, hdc across, turn, fasten off A after the last row worked
Rows 110-123: using B, ch 2, follow chart to change colors with individual bobbins as needed, rep chart 3 times across, hdc 1, turn, fasten off B after the last row worked
Rows 124-126: using A, ch 2, hdc across, turn, fasten off A after the last row worked
Row 127: rep Row 101
Rows 128-132: rep Rows 102-106
Row 133: rep Row 107
Rows 134-142: ch 2, hdc across, turn, do not turn at the end of Row 142
Border
Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 2, turn, hdc evenly around the edge of blanket. (hdc, ch 2, hdc) all into same st at corners.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
And that’s how you make the Sunray Throw!
Make sure that when you post to social media or another platform, please refer back to me as the designer. If you are on Instagram, tag @CozyNooksDesigns and use #SunrayThrow for a chance to be featured!
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Cozy Nooks Designs
Rachel Alford from Cozy Nooks Designs was on the PBS TV show Knit and Crochet Now! season 13. She also designs for Lion Brand Yarn, has been in several crochet/knit magazines, and freelances by filming videos for Annie’s online episodes. Be sure to check out her YouTube Channel for tips, tricks, & tutorials!
Hi. I just finished this Sunray throw, and I have to say, it was quite exasperating. I started it over 3 times trying to get the guage correct. And i struggled with the size 8 hook going into the size 5 hook stitches. The intarsia section was definitely challenging as it was my first attempt with intarsia, but I powered through and I have finished. My finished throw measures 36×46, nowhere close to your finished size of 48×62. I am not a particularly tight crocheter by any standard. I have made several test pieces and I cannot get 10 hdc stitches to = 4 inches, using a size 5 hook. Also I didn’t love this yarn. It catches on itself, and as I had to tear out my work several times and start over, this made it harder. Another part of your pattern that I think could be much more specific is when you say to fasten off after the last row worked. I assume you then mean to go back to the other end, without turning, to begin the next row. This became confusing as to what was the Right Side and what was the other side. I should have used a marker of some type to keep me on the right side maybe. So I think there are some tips that could help along the way. I do not intend to be negative and critical of your pattern but I thought you might like some feedback.
Bottom line is that I love the look of this piece and I am glad I did it, but I don’t feel good enough about it to give it as a gift.
Thanks for your feedback! I’ll keep that in mind for the future. In the pattern, for Row 1, it indicates that is the Right Side, so the odd numbered rows stay RS throughout the pattern. When it says fasten off the color at the end of the row, that just means you don’t carry the color up the side. It still indicates to turn and crochet on the next side like normal. Sorry you had trouble with the pattern, and thank you for being kind! Hope that helps. <3