Neat Ripple Pattern

 

Ahhhhhhhh look at all those hooky ripplesome ripples, aren't they glorious? I love crocheting this pattern, its relatively simple, rhythmic and soothing, but playing with colours in this way is also energising, exciting and a lot of fun. Well to me it is any road. there's something magical and mesmerising about the way the ripple effect makes the colours sing and dance next to each other, and it's a pattern I can see myself coming back to time after time.

When I made my first ripple blanket last year (finished in August 2008),  I followed a pattern in Jan Eatons book (the Soft Waves pattern), and it has to be said that at first this pattern was not plain sailing. But I persevered and eventually I cracked it. But truthfully I always think crochet patterns look and sound far too complex, more than they actually need to be. And I have so wanted to write a tutorial for a ripple pattern that would be easy to understand for beginners and would eliminate certain niggles.

So what I've done here for you is to write my own pattern. I have to be clear about this for obvious copyright reasons that I have not copied this pattern from anywhere. It has been inspired by the one in Jane Eatons book, but it is truly my own. Just so's you know.

 

To start out, you need to crochet your foundation chain. It should be in multiples of 14, plus an extra 3 added on for turning. I would strongly advise before you begin any ripply project to make a small ripple sample so that you're confident of the pattern. Make a chain of 31 (2x14 +3) as I'm doing here, which will give you a good idea of how it forms.

Once you are sure you've got the right number of chains to begin (count carefully as you make them!), make a treble crochet stitch (this is UK treble / US dc) in the 4th chain from the hook. See in the above pic I've stuck my needle in there so you can see where to go...can you see the four chains?? You should be putting your hook under both loops of the chain stitch, and just to clarify what a treble crochet stitch, it is as follows:

yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, bring hook back through stitch (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, draw yarn through 2 loops (2 loops left on hook), yarn over and draw through remaining 2 loops. That's your tr (treble) stitch, ok?

 

For beginners new to crochet, working the first row into a foundation chain can seem incredibly hard at first. I know, because I can so well remember almost giving up when faced with this task. If you look at the above photo, I've stuck my needle in to show you where the next stitch will go...it helps if you twist the chain towards you slightly, so that you are looking down on the side of it rather than the top of it.

 

You should then be able to see the two loops of the chain and see where your hook goes so that it slips under both of these loops (above pic).

 

Ok, back to the pattern...you should have just made 1 tr into the 4th chain from the hook. Now make 1tr into each of the next 4 chains, as pictured above, so there are 5 in total (plus the chain-3).
 

Next you will be working a standard decrease stitch, known as tr2tog (treble two together). This is where you work 2 incomplete tr's, joining them into 1 stitch at the finish. So....here is the stitch in Plain English ::

Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, hook back through stitch (3 loops on hook).

Yarn over, draw through 2 loops (2 loops on hook, as pictured above)

 

Now yarn over and insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, hook back through stitch (4 loops on hook, as pictured above)

 

Yarn over and draw through 2 loops (3 loops left on hook, as pictured above)

 

Yarn over and draw through all three loops to finish the stitch (picture above).

That whole thing is a tr2tog (treble two together)

Now you need to make TWO of these tr2tog's, so go ahead and do that whole same thing again in the next two stitches ::

Yarn over, into next stitch, yarn over, back through stitch (3 loops on hook)
Yarn over draw through 2 loops (2 loops on hook)
Yarn over, into next stitch, yarn over, back through stitch (4 loops on hook)
Yarn over, draw through2 loops (3 loops on hook)
Yarn over, draw through all three loops.

Ok so far???? good-o, lets move on...

 
 

Work 1tr into each of the next 4 chains (picture above)

You have now worked what I call the "valley", with the 4tr's making the sides and the tr2tog's making the valley bottom. Now time to make the "mountain"....

 

...work 2tr's into the next chain.

And again, work 2 more tr's into the next chain.

These four stitches make the top of the "mountain", can you see in the above picture, the way it makes a V when 2 stitches are worked out of one?

I find it really helps when working a ripple pattern to be able to recognise what the decrease and increase stitches look like. Because when you are working this pattern it's sometimes veeeeeery useful to be able to look back over the row you've just made and see how the pattern has formed, to check for mistakes etc.

OK, after your two lots of 2tr increases on the mountain you need to make 1 tr crochet into each of the next 4 chains.

Then work a tr2tog decrease, and then another tr2tog decrease (the valley again).

Then make 1 tr crochet into each of the next 4 chains.

And finally, if you've done it right, you should have 1 chain left at the end of your foundation chain. Make 2 tr's into this last chain to end the row.

I've drawn a little diagram above there, underneath the first row so you can get a feel for the pattern visually, to see how the ripples are formed.

 

ROW 2, same colour.

Chain 3

Make a tr crochet stitch in the SAME stitch...see where I've stuck my needle to show you where to go?

 

Now follow this  pattern, exactly as before ::

Make a treble stitch into each of next 4 stitches.

tr2tog (decrease)

tr2tog (decrease)

Make a treble stitch into each of next 4 stitches.

2tr's into next stitch (increase)

2tr's into next stitch (increase)

Make a treble stitch into each of next 4 stitches.

 

tr2tog (decrease)

tr2tog (decrease)

Make a treble stitch into each of next 4 stitches.

If you started out with 31 stitches, you should have reached the end of the row now, as pictured above. Two more stitches to go.....

You now need to make 2 tr's into the top of the chain-3 from the previous row. See in the above pic where I've stuck my needle to show you where to go?

 

This chain can often be quite tight, you may have to work hard to wiggle your hook into that little hole....

 

There, can you see the V of the last 2tr's in that row on the left there? Good! Now fasten off and turn the work round to join in a new colour.

 

Joining a new colour is easy...simply knot the two yarns together as close to the stitches as you can. Insert your hook through the first stitch, yarn over the new colour and pull it through to the front ready to begin.

All rows from now on will be the same. So here we go, ROW 3  ::

Chain 3, then make 1 tr into the same stitch, as pictured above.

 

Now work the following :: 

1tr into each of next 4 chs

tr2tog

tr2tog

1 tr into each of next 4 chs

2tr into next ch

2 tr into next ch

1tr into each of next 4 chs

tr2tog

tr2tog

1 tr into each of next 4 chs

2 tr into the top chain of the chain-3 from previous row.

And thats the end of that row, so turn round and get ready for ROW 4... 

Same as before, begin by chaining 3, then make 1tr into same stitch...

1tr into each of next 4 chs

tr2tog

tr2tog

1 tr into each of next 4 chs

2tr into next ch

2 tr into next ch

1tr into each of next 4 chs

tr2tog

tr2tog

1 tr into each of next 4 chs

2 tr into the top chain of the chain-3 from previous row.

THE END

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WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Did you manage it?? Did you do it??? Are you full of Ripplesome Ripply Joy???? Got enough yarn to now make a longer chain, to start a Neat Ripple cushion, a blanket perhaps??????

And in case you wish to print out some Compact Instructions to pop into your yarn basket, I'm writing out a more condensed Patterny version just for you. You will obvisouly need to copy/paste/print it for yourself........

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NEAT RIPPLE PATTERN

tr2tog = work two incomplete tr stitches, keeping last loop of each stitch on the hook, as follows ::

YO, into stitch, YO, back through stitch (3 loops on hook)

YO, draw through 2 loops (2 loops on hook)

YO, into next stitch, YO, back through stitch (4 loops on hook)

YO, draw through 2 loops (3 loops on hook)

YO, draw through all 3 loops.

 

To begin, chain multiples of 14, plus 3 for turning.

 

ROW 1

1 tr into 4^th chain from hook

1tr into each of next 4 chs

tr2tog

tr2tog

1 tr into each of next 4 chs

*2tr into next ch

2 tr into next ch

1tr into each of next 4 chs

tr2tog

tr2tog

1 tr into each of next 4 chs*

Repeat between ** ending last rep with 2 tr into last chain, turn.

 

ROW 2

ch3, 1 tr into same stitch,

1tr into each of next 4 chs

tr2tog

tr2tog

1 tr into each of next 4 chs

*2tr into next ch

2 tr into next ch

1tr into each of next 4 chs

tr2tog

tr2tog

1 tr into each of next 4 chs*

Repeat between ** ending last rep with 2 tr into the top chain of the chain-3 from previous row.

Repeat row 2 for length required.

**********************************************************************

Well........GOOD LUCK!!!!!! HAVE SOME NEAT RIPPLY FUN!!!!!!!!

And let me know how you get on.......let me see some pictures??? Ahhh thanks, I look forward to that :o)

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All my tutorials are created for you to use and enjoy for free. However, if you would like to make a donation you can do so using the button below (all donations are gratefully received and will be used to fund future projects).

 

xx Thank you xx

Comments

[Brenda van der Merwe]

I am from South Africa and so greatful for discovering you through a dear friend. Thank you so much for your colourful photo's and clear instructions. I can't wait to give this ripple a go.Thank you ever so much.

[Evelyn French]

Oh my. I’m new to crochet after starting just over a week ago. Your instructions are absolutely brilliant!!!!! I’m at the end of my first blanket already and can’t believe it. I’m 64. Have knitted since the age of 10 and could just not get it. Yes I hold the yarn like a knitter, but that doesn’t seem to matter or affect my work. I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU XX

[Joy Flockton]

Hi, have just discovered you ! What a lovely find!
I make blankets for a baby charity and want to have a go at the ripple. They require different sizes all the time so was wondering if there's an easy way to work out sìzes like so many 14's equals so many centimetres etc. ? Thanks

[IRB]

I love your patterns. I was wondering what hook size did you use, how big was your finished blanket and how much yarn did you use? I know tension, yarn, hook size will determine finished size. Just want an idea what I will need. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us.

[Lisette]

Love this pattern, just ordered stylecraft DK yarn to make this blanket!

But i have a question; you say make a small ripple sample so that you're confident of the pattern. Make a chain of 31.

I was wondering what the dimensions of this sample should roughly be. I know i'm a bit of a tight crocheter so i'm not sure whether I should use a needle of 4,5 mm instead of 4. Thank you for replying!

[Birgit Heidorn]

One instruction says chain 219 but that is wrong. If you did that the pattern does not work out. Another instruction says 213 and that works just fine!

[Kelly]

How many rows?

[Cathy B]

This is the most complicated crochet I have ever done but your instructions made it sooooo easy. Thank you :) Have just done the sample and am now ready to make a blanket! 😀

[Juliet]

Hi, this looks gorgeous - is the pattern available as a knitting (rather crochet) pattern? I don't crochet but would love to knit it.

[Linda Sims]

Thank you!

[Ruth]

My rows are ending wrong and i can't figure out why I was so excited to started this. Now I'm gutted. The mountains and valleys aren't directly above each other.

[leilani]

I think I figured out why some people were having trouble... caught this:

"Now you need to make TWO of these tr2tog's, so go ahead and do that whole same thing again in the next two stitches"

when it should say "in the next stitch," next two stitches after the first walk-thru made it three decrease stitches altogether. Thankfully I caught this right after I completed the four DC stitches after and re-counted to make sure. Other than that this pattern & turotial is suuuuper easy and you weren't kidding— that foundation chain stitching was TORTURE it took me 2+ hours !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Yasmin Macan-Markar]

please let me know how I could get

[Diana Lovatt]

I have for many years now wanting to crochet this blanket but there was always something else coming in the way. But now the pod-caster duo Dan and Kay from the Bakery Bears are doing a tutorial on how to make this one from your site, so now I think I finally will make this beauty. But Knitting has taking over my yarn craft over cross stitch and before that crochet but I really think that I'm going to make this one now after that the Bakery Bears reminded me about it again ;)

[Denise C]

I did the practice oc chain 31. Was perfect each row. Now I chained 213 and each row is not ending correctly. I have done three rows three times. I am counting ever so carefully. What now!!! Three chains left iver... then too many left over. Help!!!

[Pam]

I made ripple afghans 60 years ago as a child. But the one you made is soooo beautiful that I am going to make one for my first great grandson. Thank you for the tutorial that will make it easier for me to get it done in time.

[Amy O.]

Thank you for posting your clear photos and tutorial, and for the pattern! Thanks to your clear instructions, I am flying through my first ripple afghan. I am planning another one - I just love the colors you've used in yours!! I want to make a donation, but get an error message when I click on the donation link. I am in the United States - I wonder if that is the problem?

[Jane rushworth]

Wondering how I get to see the answers to the questions , ie how to subscribe to comment feed please?

[christine hardman]

I’m back to my old favourite! It’s been a while and i’m excited to get to it. Thank you, Lucy xx

[Merle H]

Brilliant, as always. Thank you

[Sara m]

I have embarked on a ripple blanket using the Moorland collection. I messed up the foundation on the first attempt so added a marker after every 14 chains to keep on track. I have nearly 350 stitches and am about to start my third repeat of colours, hoping to be done before Christmas. Loving it.

[Lisa]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you so much for making it. It's been invaluable with the blanket I'm making.

[Tracey Jane Elizabeth Browne]

Thanks
Your explanations and photos are very helpful.

[Jeneè DeChant]

I was wondering if that was a double crochet in the US.

[susan leblang]

I practiced while waiting for my yarn to arrive in the us. every practice was great.
Got my yarn, not so great. I have gone down one hook size for chain and row one. My mountains and valleys show, but are not firm, they need to be pushed into shape. Then row two creates a straight row, and row one becomes straight also.

I went down another hook size and the same thing is happening. The yarn is
quite thin. I purchased the stylecraft summer ripple yarn.

Not sure what to do now, It is getting difficult to see the chains, as well as hooking into them. Any suggestions please, The yarn is now getting fuzzy from working it.

thank you. I desperately need help.
susan