My Crochet Ripple Blanket

Crochet Ripple Blanket

When I first decided to take up the challenge of the 'Knit Every Day in March' to raise fund for Altzheimer's Research, I knew I wanted to make something that I could finish by the end of March and that would be useful to someone.

I first thought about knitting a blanket but wasn't sure I would get that finished in time, but then I discovered that the challenge allowed for crochet as well (much faster!) - so the decision was made.

I researched a few patterns and loved this one by Lucy of Attic 24 fame.

I already had a host of different shades of DK yarn in bright colours so this was perfect.

I wanted to make the blanket in honour of my Mother-in Law Olive who suffered with this awful disease. In her last months she was in a wonderful care home and so what better way to honour her than to present the blanket to the care home when it is finished. I love it when a plan comes together!

The Yarn & Hook

A number of people who have also taken up the challenge have asked me for this pattern, and so I have added it here.

I used Hayfield Bonus DK yarn in 27 different shades! You definitely don't need that many but I was using up my stash. Any DK (light worsted) thickness, washable yarn would do. Bonus DK is relatively inexpensive and is Acrylic so can be thrown into a washing machine.

I used a 4mm (US G6) hook. Tension is NOT important - especially of you are using up stash yarn.

For me, each chevron is approx 8.5 cm (3.25 inches) wide and each pair of rows in each shade is approx 2.2 cm (0.9 inches) tall. I plan to work around 60 stripes of 2 rows each.

Dividing up shades

I divided my shades into four groups.

• Neon shades (I have a few of these)

• Light shades

• Medium shades

• Dark shades

I used a very rough plan of stripes as follows:

2 rows any neon, 2 rows any light, 2 rows any medium,

2 rows any dark, 2 rows any light, 2 rows any medium,

I repeated these 12 rows using different shades each time. I didn't spend too long choosing which ones to put together. I just chose ones which looked good and were not too similar.

Size

My blanket is approx. 128 cm (50 inches) wide and when finished should be approx 132 cm (52 inches) or longer if the yarn holds out and I have time!

I worked 15 chevrons across and started my blanket with a row of Foundation double crochet (UK)/single crochet (US), but you can start with just a long chain if you prefer.

The Pattern

Each chevron repeat has a multiple of 14 stitches, so my 15 chevron blanket has 14 * 15 = 210 stitches. To start use either the chain or Foundation crochet options below:

Starting with a long chain: Chain 210 using your first Neon shade and turn.

Starting with a Foundation dc (UK)/sc (US) row: Work a row of 210 foundation dc (UK)/sc (US) using your first Neon shade and turn.

I have a YouTube video showing how to work this here: https://youtu.be/UbYIT4cjXj8

UK terminology

Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into the same stitch, 1 tr into each of the next 4 stitches, tr2tog over the next 2 stitches, (first half of chevron complete),

tr2tog over the next 2 stitches, 1 tr in each of the next 4 stitches, 2 tr in the next stitch, (second half of chevron complete).

From now on you will repeat the following to the end of the row:

2 tr into the next stitch, 1 tr into each of the next 4 stitches, tr2tog over the next 2 stitches, tr2tog over the next 2 stitches, 1 tr in each of the next 4 stitches, 2 tr in the next stitch (one chevron complete).

REPEAT ROW 1 THROUGHOUT CHANGING COLOUR AFTER EVERY 2 ROWS IN THE STRIPE PATTERN GIVEN ABOVE

US terminology

Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc into the same stitch, 1 dc into each of the next 4 stitches, dc2tog over the next 2 stitches, (first half of chevron complete), dc2tog over the next 2 stitches, 1 dc in each of the next 4 stitches, 2 dc in the next stitch, (second half of chevron complete).

From now on you will repeat the following to the end of the row:

2 dc into the next stitch, 1 dc into each of the next 4 stitches, dc2tog over the next 2 stitches, dc2tog over the next 2 stitches, 1 dc in each of the next 4 stitches, 2 dc in the next stitch (one chevron complete).

REPEAT ROW 1 THROUGHOUT CHANGING COLOUR AFTER EVERY 2 ROWS IN THE STRIPE PATTERN GIVEN ABOVE

I hope that helps those of you who wanted the pattern. I also have a video explaining how to work the chevron repeat on my YouTube channel here:

https://youtube.com/shorts/wzJHx6s7V98?feature=share

Please consider donating to this worthy cause if you are able to using the link below. I would really appreciate it!

https://socialsync.app/fundraiser/cr-53ro8zz3m4oy?em=em-kpyeew76jx99o