Interlocking Colour Ripple :: Ta-dah!

It's over a year since I gathered this yarn together and began to contemplate a new ripple blanket journey. Do you remember it? I wrote a post in September 2011 about choosing/buying the yarn, and I wrote another in October 2011 about the beginning of the blanket (which includes specific colour info and pattern details).

It is such enormous fun embarking on a new blanket. I always get really incredibly excited once I finally get going, especially as it usually comes after weeks of anticipating, planning and pontificating.

Working up these interlocking ripples of colour was pure pleasure. The Neat Ripple is a super-relaxing pattern - there is a mesmerising, soothing, repetitive rhythm to it which is wonderfully therapeutic.

The rise and fall of the rows does something quite wonderful to the colour play, but adding in this "interlocking" colour sequence made it even more fun. The rows are worked as either single or double width. Some rows look narrower simply because of the way they are worked back and forth. So looking at the above image which shows the start of the blanket, you can see single (red), single (turquoise), double (red), single (green), single (red), double (green). So each colour is made up of four rows (two singles and a double)

I worked my colours randomly, which in actual fact was a lot harder than I had anticipated. It was necessary to carry out some sort of yarn play as I went along though, and I generally planned out about six rows at a time. I did have a few basic rules  for working "planned random" ::

1. I tried to use each of the 18 colours evenly throughout the blanket. I ended up with 44 colour changes, so each colour appeared at least twice, with 8 of the colours appearing three times.

2. I tried to balance the way I put colours together. Sometimes I would put harmonious colours together (ie blue with greens, or purples with pinks), and sometimes I would shake it all up a bit and throw some contrasting colours together (ie red next to green, or pale aqua next to the deep burgundy)

3. I tried to keep it from becoming too rainbowy. There are sections of it which do run like a rainbow, and this does add in some necessary visual harmony I think.

Working on a blanket over many months is a lovely experience, and you do really feel as if you are on a very special journey. This particular blanket took me through all four seasons of a year, and has so many memories woven into it as a result.

As it grew, I kept it sitting in my basket so that I could pick it up and work on it at any opportunity. Sometimes I would only be able to hook a small part of a row before having to put it back in the basket, but sometimes the basket would be next to me for hours and many rows would grow.

I loved working on it through the late Autumn and into Winter as it became a dream fireside project.

But through Spring and Summer it was also a joy to work on, and I have many beautiful memories of rippling al fresco....

....this is mid June, and a picnic lunch with some sunny riverside rippling.

I finally landed on the last colour change in high Summer, and the last row was made on 16th July 2012.

Even though it wasn't actually finished, the blanket was in use throughout the Spring and Summer. By then it was big enough for snuggling and the above scene really made me laugh when I came across it. Little Lady and Little B were playing some sort of peek-a-boo game together, you can just about make out their legs underneath each blanket. Big smiles all round.

Summer turned into Autumn and my beloved blanket became well and truly a part of our family life. The Little People use my handmade blankets every single day, for snuggling under and for playing with. They are comforters, body warmers, dens and ships. They are wrapped, draped, dragged (although I do get cross with the dragging), and pegged. They are hard working blankets for sure.

Now don't ask me why I didn't get around to edging this blanket straight away, why I left it unfinished for so long. I just don't know why I procrastinated over it, especially as I really enjoy working edgings. But anyhow....five months later, the day after Christmas, I finally decided it was time to get stuck in and Work the Edge.

 

Now before you ask.....I have to let you know that I am NOT intending to make a tutorial for making the edging. I will do my best to explain it to you, and hope that will be enough.

1. I make sure I begin and end my blanket rows in the same colour (in this case red). The first stage of the edging then, is to make a row of trebles (in red) down each side of the blanket. I like to work out of the actual stitches/chains of each end stitch, as opposed to working round "the post" of each each end stitch if that makes sense. It's harder to do, but I personally think it gives a neater finish. I work 2 trebles into the end stitch of every row.

2. The next row is the row that will "fill in" and make the rippled edge straight (in this case turquoise). I begin at the bottom right corner of the blanket and work up the right hand side (I did Half Trebles for this row). When I get to the top right corner, I work 2 htr's, chain 2, 2 htr's to turn the corner.

Now working across the top of the blanket edge (in the picture above, from right to left), the following sequence of stitches ::

dc (twice) *htr (twice) tr (four times) htr (twice) dc (six times)* repeat between **.

At the end of the row, you turn the corner in the same way as you did before by working 2 htr's, chain-2, 2 htr's. Then carry on down the left side of the blanket with htr's. The bottom filling in of the ripple is slightly harder as it's worked into the foundation chain. But it's the same principle as the top :: basically you work 6 dc's to take you over the mountain, then 2 htr's to go down the sides of the valley, 4 tr's to fill in the bottom of the valley, 2 htr's to go up the sides, then back to 6 dc's to go over the mountain again.

So after all that, you should have your blanket with straight edges, and two rows of edging.

For the final bit of my edge, I wanted to try something new. I worked on this design idea ages ago and really liked the visual effect of it, so it was just a case of deciding on which two colours to go with. I decided on the pink/blue combo in the end.....

.....it's a very easy but effective pattern. Start out by chaining 2 (counts as 1 dc + chain 1).

Skip 1 stitch, then work 1 dc into next stitch. *Chain 1, skip 1 stitch, dc into next stitch*. repeat between **.

You turn the corners by working 2dc, chain 2, 2dc into the corner space of previous row.

The second part involves exactly the same pattern, excepting that when you make your 1 dc, you make it into the skipped stitch of the (turquoise) row below. See where I've put my hook? You are pulling up a "long dc" from the row below. So this is the pattern :: Chain 1, work a long dc into skipped stitch of previous row, chain 1 etc....do you get how it works?

See how fab it looks?! Isn't it clever?

I'm so pleased with this border, it's great when a new idea for something works out so well. I really LOVE this idea actually, and have plans for a striped cushion cover using this two-colour technique. I'm mega excited about that prospect.

Well.........you know that it's pretty much time now don't you?

Yes, I think it's high time I cleared some space to lay the blanket out for you.

Need to push back the furniture.

Need to balance on the edge of the sofa on my tippy-toes.

Need to try not wobble.

Ok.

Think I'm almost there with it.......

Here

it

comes...........................................

Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One bright, colourful, happy, glorious, beautifully edged Ripple Blanket.

Size wise, as you can see this blanket is pretty much single bed size. I think this is the perfect size for decent snuggling. Any shorter and there is always the risk of toes poking out. I measured the finished blanket just now and it measures 112cm x 180cm, so very slightly bigger than the first ripple blanket I made. It looks awesome laid out on Little B's new bed, but this blanket is well and truly a sofa blanket and will live downstairs to provide daily warmth and comfort.

I am really, really, really pleased with how it turned out. The colours worked out great. It's a lovely, warm, colourful and cosy creation that has happiness running right through it.

Now then, you may remember when I began this blanket that I was not on this journey alone. No no no, I had company on my Ripple Ride. I had my lovely friend Heather  join me with her own Cashmerino blanket journey, and there was real pleasure for both of us in doing it together.

We had some really ace ripple times. I was much slower than Heather mind you, and she had to wait for me to catch up with her at the end. But eventually I did, and in July when my stripes were finished, I took both of our blankets to the park to photograph them.......

Don't they look amazing? Heather went on to add some more rows to her blanket when she realised hers was quite a bit shorter, and of course they both had edgings added too. You can read more about Heather's blanket beginnings here, and see her finished blanket here.

Many of you also Rippled Along with us throughout 2012. It has been fabulous to see so many gorgeous and beautiful blankets being made, sooooo inspiring. There is a wonderful group over on Flickr with some incredible photos, please do go take a look if you have chance.

Now before I go, I shall leave you with the Riveting Ripplesome Facts ::

Yarn :: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, in 18 colours (shade info in this post)

Hook :: 3.5mm dotty spotty hook

Pattern :: Neat Ripple Pattern

Starting chain :: 227 stitches

Rows :: 176

Measures :: 112cm x 180cm

Weight :: 1430 g

Balls :: 29

Cost :: Ssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh, don't ask bad questions.

Mileage :: 29 balls @ 125m each ball = 3625 metres = 2.25247057 miles of yarn (!)

 

Photo :: Little B snuggled up in the Big Chair

Blanket :: gorgeous

Me :: happy-smiley

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Comments

[Jessie]

So beautiful!!!

[Stocki]

It is really beautiful Lucy ... and I do love the little alternate colour edging. This ripple has truly been a labour of love... and if you tried to buy one I can only imagine how much it would cost with yarn and Lucy-hours, but to you and yours it is worth so much more in hours of love and cuddles. What a fantastic Ta-dah to end the year with! Hugs, Jill x

[Louisa]

Absolutely stunning! My BF bought me the Stylecraft Special DK 'Lucy pack' from Masons Needlecraft for christmas (he knows it's my favourite yarn!) and I'm going to make a ripple blanket with it! I finished my granny stripe in the summer and he has asked me for one of those of his own (he already has his own granny stripe cushion!)

[Deb]

Congratulations Lucy this ripple blanket is a stunner! I am currently making the striped wrist Warner's. Would you believe it, we are in the middle of an Auzzie summer and I am making them for our beach holiday camping trip. I love your blog thank you for your generosity in sharing how tos and patterns. Deb

[Trudy]

Lucy, Lucy, Lucy another beauty!!!

[Claire B]

Aaaaaaaamazing! Love it. This ripple inspired me to start my own and I love being able to pick up and put down a project like this that has lived with us while its made. Beautiful colours too. So vibrant.

[Charmian Young]

I have been browsing your ripple blanket posts for the last half hour - and now you've just posted this! wow, what a coincidence. Just love all your crochet and discovered you recently when I was looking for a stripey blanket to match my granddaughters stripey hood of her pushchair. It turned out really well - thank you for all your incredible photos and clear instructions. I look forward to trying out a ripple next.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2013 with lots of happy new projects.
Charmian

[Charmian Young]

ooo, forgot to say, what a simple gorgeous blanket - your colours are so amazing and I love the interlocking of the colour rows. And the border - well stunning. Congratulations on finishing it in time for the end of this year!

[Cindy G.]

Absolutely gorgeous! I love how when I come across a random photo of your work on the internet that I can easily identify it as yours, just by the colors you use. I love the edging you used, as well, so thanks for the explanation (and the nice clear photos so we could see how it looks). Somewhere, I have the yarn for a chenille ripple blanket, and while it will be cozy, it won't be as vibrant as yours. Thanks so much for sharing your ripple journey!

[Fiona]

Hurrah, you finished your ripple. I totally love your border too. Thank you for the pattern, my first ripple was the same 1:2:1 pattern this summer but I could not help but make it rainbow. Looking forward to your next blanket. Fiona

[diana]

What a lovely ripple journey and blanket! I started following your blog when you started your blanket. I can't what to see what you have in store for 2013. Here is to many more ta-dah moments. ;-)

[cristina]

Oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh!!! Gorgeous!! Gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing the pattern, Lucy, you are great!! Kisses!! Happy new year!

[Sara Jenkins]

Beautiful. I really must finish my ripple blanket. Almost there but I got sidetracked!

[Rose]

Fabulous! I've really enjoyed following your blog this past year and look forward to reading about the happenings in your part of the world next year. Midday here New Years Eve, and it's shaping up to being another warm day ... so will sign off wishing your and yours a very happy New Year and looking forward to 'meeting up again' in 2013. Rose ... NZ

[Brianna Asaro Photography]

I love Debbie Bliss yarn. It's such great quality and has such a softness to it. I love how bright and colorful all your afghans are. can't wait to see more!

[hazel]

Wow it's sooo bright! A great job. Well done. X

[Kristen]

Wow!!! Ta-dah, indeed. It's absolutely gorgeous, and I am madly in love with your edging. As always, your work is so inspiring. :)

[irena]

So beautiful and full of colors!!!
Lucy Happy new year!

[Chel]

Wow, wonderful, beautiful, colourful! I will dig mine out of my WIP's to finish off, after all, it is for my niece/nephew when they are born in May!! Yikes! Have a wonderful and happy new year to you and your very lucky family. Chel x

[Louise]

It is fabulous!

[Dorothy Hermes]

After following your progress for a while, I decided to make one for my grandson in "camo" colors of greens,greys & browns. I used a total of 12 different shades & have to say that the ripple turned out so wonderful. I used Stylecraft Spl. DK and he loved it. In fact has used it constantly since it was finished. Sorry I don't have picture capabilites to show it off but please believe me when I tell you it was so worth the time. My finished product was all due to your wonderful idea. Thank you so much!!

[Sharron]

Incredible, as always x

Happy New Year

[karen]

So beautiful , and where can i get one of them hook
? plz

[Susana]

Hola Lucy. Te ha quedado preciosa¡¡¡¡
Feliz año nuevo 2013.
besos

[Angela-Southern U.S.A.]

It's gorgeous,as we knew it would be!I love your sense of color.Heather's is lovely also.So glad to have rippled along with y'all :)I did four round ripples this fall and they are well loved,snuggled under daily.If you have the time do try the round ripple,makes for a lovely quick baby blanket.Love your edging detail.Hope the new year finds you all well and happy!