Directions to Ripple Crochet

Take out your crochet hook.

A ripple crochet stitch creates a zig-zagged look with a series of crocheted hills and valleys. It is a classic stitch pattern, often used in afghans and scarves. You can make a crocheted ripple stitch using almost any stitch pattern and combination once you get comfortable with the basic format. To vary the look, try changing yarn colors every two to three rows to make a striped ripple. You will need a working understanding of crochet stitch terminology in order to work a ripple crochet stitch.

Things You'll Need

• Worsted weight yarn
• Crochet hook, size I

Instructions

1. Chain a multiple of 11 stitches. To practice this pattern, chain 22 stitches to start. You can chain more or less to make a different-sized piece, but you will have to continue stitching longer than called for in the practice pattern.

2. Make a double crochet in the fourth chain from your hook. The first set of three chain stitches counts as a double crochet as well. Make a double crochet stitch in each of the next two double crochets; now you have a total of four double crochet stitches.

3. Work your first "hill" in the ripple pattern. To do this, place three double crochet stitches in the next chain. Work back down the hill by making one double crochet stitch in each of the next four stitches.

4. Work your first "valley" in the ripple pattern. To do this, skip the next two chain stitches. Work back up the valley by making a double crochet stitch in each of the next four stitches. Finish the row by making one more hill, four more stitches, one more valley, and four more stitches. Chain three and turn.

5. For row two, skip the base of the turning chain and the next double crochet; make a double crochet in the following stitch. Make one more double crochet stitch in each of the next two double crochets; now you have a total of four double crochet stitches, which includes your turning chain. Make three double crochets in the next stitch, which is the center of the three-double crochet "hill" you made in row one. Make one double crochet in each of the next four stitches. Make a "valley" by skipping two stitches. Make one double crochet in each of the next four stitches. Continue this pattern across the row, making hills in the top of the hills from the last row, then four double crochets, then skip two stitches and make four more double crochets. When you come to the end of the row you should have five stitches left; double crochet in each of the first three of those stitches, skip the fourth stitch and double crochet in the last stitch. Chain three and turn.

6. Repeat the pattern from row two, which is also Step 5, until your rippled stitch piece measures the desired length, then finish off.

References

• Crochet Cabana: The Ripple