How to crochet a funky ripple blanket

Two and a half years ago, crochet ripple blankets were all the rage. I love a Missoni-style pattern, and it was getting cold on the couch in the evenings. I decided to join in on the Crochet Ripple-Along, hosted by One Crafty Mumma.

This was in April, 2013.

Three winters later, it’s finally complete. It’s only a lap-sized afghan – how do people make anything bigger???

My first mistake in making this epic lap rug was to pick a design that uses single crochet. Double or triple crochet would have been much quicker (surely??).

The ripple pattern is easy to crochet, and it’s a great design for beginners to feel like you’re making something special. It’s just single crochet, with increases and decreases to create the ripple pattern.

The yarn I used was Moda Vera Pure Wool Extra Twist 8 ply, from Spotlight. The Moda Vera range has changed name to 4 Seasons Pure Wool Entwine 8 ply. I picked colours to match my lounge room, since that’s where the blankey is going to be used.

I wanted a Missoni-style pattern with rows of various thicknesses. This was the stripe sequence I came up with:

• 2 rows of A (Burgundy)
• 2 rows of B (Pink)
• 4 rows of C (White)
• 2 rows of A (Burgundy)
• 2 rows of C (White)
• 4 rows of B (Pink)
• 2 rows of D (Green)
• 6 rows of A (Burgundy)
• 4 rows of D (Green)
• 2 rows of C (White)
• 4 rows of B (Pink)
• 2 rows of A (Burgundy)
• 2 rows of C (White)
• 6 rows of D (Green)
• 4 rows of C (White)

I repeated the sequence 3 times (OK, that’s when I ran out of yarn!).

I recommend weaving in the tails as you go. No one wants to weave that many tails in at the end!

Here’s how to crochet a funky ripple blanket in single crochet:

Pattern

With Yarn A (Burgundy), ch 161.

Row 1: Work 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, *(sc2tog) twice, sc in next 2 ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, sc in next 2 ch; rep from * across to last 7 ch, (sc2tog) twice, sc in next 2 ch, 2 sc in last ch. (You’ll have 16 ripples at the end of this row.)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts, *(sc2tog) twice, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in each of next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * across to last 7 sts, (sc2tog) twice, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in last st; change to B in last st.

Repeat Row 2, continuing to change colour following Stripe Sequence, until all rows have been completed (or you run out of yarn!). Fasten off.

Weave in the ends for the start and end of the blanket, and trim all the ends.

So now I have a gorgeous crochet blanket to snuggle on the couch (which matches nicely with my “Art by an Engineer”. Now I just have to wait until next winter to enjoy it!