Look what I've been working on for a commissioned project! Ooh, doesn't that sounds so fancy? Actually, a parent from Rebecca's school asked if she could pay me to make three baby blankets for her sister. But "commissioned" sounds so much more important, doesn't it? This is the first, I finished it a couple of weeks ago and am now working on the second, which is knitted, and Dodger blue. But first I wanted to write up the pattern - I think it's my first (aside from the flowers I did way back when)!
Aside from the colors, I was given complete artistic license. Which, sometimes, is harder than just being asked to make a certain pattern. So, after fussing about for way too long looking online for different baby blanket patterns, and then messing around with different stitch patterns, I finally came up with this crocheted ripple pattern that gives a nice, soft wave. After I wrote this up, I did a little searching online and I found that the Neat Ripple Pattern by Attic 24 is the same stitch I came up with. And there are probably at least a dozen or so others already posted, but since this did develop from my own hands and brain, I think it's okay for me to post this for anyone who wants to make their own Neopolitan Ripple blanket. You can also find the details here on Ravelry.
My blanket measures 36" x 36". No blocking, because I used Caron Simply Soft, a worsted weight 100% acrylic yarn, so it would be easy care for the new mommy. The chosen colors were Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla. Oh, I mean Chocolate, Pink and Off White. I used 2 skeins of each color, but didn't use very much of the second skien of each.
G (4mm) hook
Gauge: approximately 20 sts and 8 rows = 4” x 4”.
Start by chaining 171 stitches across. The pattern repeat is 14, plus 3 extra for the turning chain, which counts as a double crochet. I wish I could have used a foundation chain, but I don't know how to do that when there are decreases and increases in the first row... (Alice, is that even possible?)
Row 1: Dc in 4th chain from hook. *Dc in next 4 sts, decrease 2x, dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts,* repeat from * to * across the row, ending with 2 dc in last st.
Row 2: Chain 3, turn. This counts as the first dc of the row. Dc in same st (you now have 2 dc). *Dc in each of next 4 sts, decrease 2x, dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts,* repeat from * to * across row, ending with 2 dc in last st.
Repeat Row 2 until blanket measures 36” or desired length, fasten off.
Edited on July 17, 2010 to add: When I say to decrease 2x, I mean to decrease twice in a row, thereby turning 4 stitches into 2. I've also rewritten a little bit of the pattern to make it clearer, hopefully. Oh, and it might help you to know that dc stands for double crochet in American terminology.
For my blanket, I worked 2 rows of each color, starting with Off White, then Pink, then Chocolate, then going back to Off White. I will definitely do this again in random colors and maybe experiment with different stripe widths.
If you find any mistakes, please let me know and I'll try to fix it right away. Hope you like it, if you make one be sure and leave a comment with a link - I'd love to see.
About how many rows did you do to get to 36"?
Posted by: Alli | Wednesday, April 06, 2011 at 06:18 PM
I'm sorry, Alli, I don't have the blanket any more and I can't check. But if you look at my gauge at the beginning of the pattern, I think the math works out so that I did about 72 rows... right?
Posted by: greetingarts | Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 04:50 PM
I was just wondering how many oz skeins you used. Did you use the 6 oz skeins and used two of each color or the 3 oz skeins and used two of those? Yarn is on sale right now and I'm on a budget so I want to make sure I get enough with the least amount of money!! =D (BEAUTIFUL work by the way) Can't wait to make my own!! =) Thanks for sharing this!
Posted by: Amanda | Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 12:04 PM
i think the blanket is beautiful but i have a problem reading panterns any suggestions on how to understand them...
Posted by: joanne hamilton | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 10:13 AM
r u sellin this?
Posted by: aniqa | Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 08:04 AM
I have a question. I started this and my stitches are waaaay off. For row 2 is the 2 dc in the beginning part of the 4 dc or no? I hope this makes sense, please let me know!
Posted by: Ariana | Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 04:49 PM
So. so beautiful! I just love everything about it!
Posted by: Beth Button | Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 06:45 PM
Caron Simply Soft comes in a 3 oz. skein and a 6 oz. skein. Which one are you referring to in your notes? Thanks!
Posted by: Debby Ursu | Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 08:45 AM
Thank you so much for this pattern, it's really easy and looks great!
I wonderd if it would be okay if I wrote the same pattern but in swedish on my blog? ofcourse with a link to your blog and this post.
Posted by: Luxxie | Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 09:42 AM
Ok I know this is super old but I'm trying to figure something out....In row 2 (and beyond) where are the "2 dc in each of next 2 sts,"? Are they in the "2 dc in each of next 2 sts" from the row before? I seem to be in the 2 stitches just after this...not sure if I'm doing it right.
Posted by: Krista | Sunday, April 08, 2012 at 12:20 AM
someone asked in an eaerlier post, but I didn't see an answer - I know you said you used barely 2 skeins of caron simply soft in each color, but what size skein did you use? I know thay have the 3 oz and the 6 oz skein - I am using Vanna's Choice and I don't think I am going to have enough because I bought 2 skeins of each of 3 colors and I'm at 17 inches, so I have 19 to go and I am sure I will run out before I get to 36" - thanks for your help!
Posted by: Jennifer Miller | Friday, June 01, 2012 at 12:43 AM
Sorry Jennifer, I always reply to emails individually, but I guess sometimes its better to do it on the blog within comments, so other people can see the answers, too. Anyway, I'm sure I used the larger skein. It was actually probably a 7 oz. skein,though. I bought it ages ago (we're talking like 5+) at Michaels... I don't think that make that size anymore but I found another skein of a different color in my stash, and it says 7oz. Hope that helps!
Posted by: greetingarts | Friday, June 01, 2012 at 02:25 PM
LKK- I had the same problem - mine started out nice and full of ripples, but about 5-6 rows in, I started getting waves instead. I frogged it and am now starting again, being sure to keep my stitches tighter - I think it might help. Hope so!
Posted by: Lindy | Monday, July 16, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Hi!! I LOOOVE this pattern and the colors are great! Trying to make something like this for my cousins baby shower; is it normal for the first few rows of the blanket to seem crooked? I'm new to crocheting and this is my first time trying to do a wave pattern ;) thanks so much!
Posted by: Abby | Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 07:00 PM
Hi, The above articles is very impressive,
Posted by: Fursarn | Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 09:08 PM
So cute. I will be adventuring into this pattern this week to make a yellow and pink blanket for a co-worker who's wife is due at the end of April. I hope I can finish on time.
Posted by: Ashley | Monday, February 25, 2013 at 12:04 PM
I made this for my cousin's son a couple of years ago. I loved it so much I searched for this same pattern again so I can make it for my own son. For my cousin, I used a dark blue, light blue, and grey. I may make a brighter one for my son. Thanks again for the wonderful pattern! I love it!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200258566485479&set=a.1626915911432.2081566.1192578161&type=1&theater
Posted by: Dani | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 10:35 AM
I was looking for afghan patterns on Ravelry and came across yours. It struck me because these are the exact same colors (and nearly the same pattern) my mom used to make me a blanket over 20 years ago! My grandma used a 7 st, dc, 7 st, inc pattern. But great job on the pattern and I'll be making one. :)
Posted by: Tammy | Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 11:21 AM
I've made 2 of these now. In this round I am making one that is 28" wide so it's 4 sets of 14 + 3 for turning. I doubled the yarn (Caron simply soft) and amusing a J hook.
This time around though...I'm noticing a line forming lengthwise at the end of a ripple. I've double checked my stitches and everything is correct. What could be causing this?
Posted by: Michelle | Thursday, November 07, 2013 at 02:29 PM
Pretty! Thank you for sharing this for free:)
Posted by: Alexis | Monday, January 13, 2014 at 11:30 AM
This is the pattern I'm going to be using for a baby afghan!!! A family down the street (my husband knows the dad through the military--they're from the same unit) is expecting a baby, and I wanted to do something a little different than my usual sewn gift (quilt, diaper bag, burp cloths, etc.). This would be great to use 4 colors in (my choices are blue, red, black, and tan, as my husband doesn't know what gender the family is expecting)!
Posted by: Christina | Thursday, March 06, 2014 at 06:02 PM