Skip to the patterns
EVERY CROCHET

Home Decor 8 rounds No account, no download

Wave ripple stitch blanket pattern for confident beginners

A double crochet (UK treble) ripple stitch blanket pattern for beginners, with both US and UK stitch names given.

Wave ripple stitch blanket pattern for confident beginners
Skill
Beginner
Time
6-9 hours
Yarn weight
Worsted
Hook
5.5 mm

Beginner

What the original write-up called it. Nothing here is graded again.

Worsted

What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.

6-9 hours

What the original page reckoned. Your own pace is the one that matters.

About this pattern

This is a beginner-friendly ripple stitch blanket worked flat in US double crochet (UK treble crochet) rows, shaped with a 3-dc increase and a dc3tog decrease to form zigzag waves. The foundation chain uses a multiple of 14 plus 2 stitches, colours change every two rows across sage green, cream and dusty rose, and a two-round single crochet border finishes the edge with a 5.5mm hook and worsted weight yarn.

This blanket belongs to the ripple stitch family, worked here in US double crochet (UK treble crochet), where the fabric rises and falls in soft repeating waves. The raised zigzag texture comes from strategically placed increases and decreases rather than colourwork alone, though the pictured version pairs sage green, cream and dusty rose for a calm, farmhouse-inspired finish. The design sits in the home decor category and suits a sofa throw, nursery accent, bed layer or seasonal comfort piece.

The blanket starts from a foundation chain worked to a multiple of 14 stitches plus 2 extra, which sets the ripple repeat across the row width. Each row is turned and reworked with a 3-dc increase at the peak and a dc3tog decrease at the valley, repeated along the first row's 168 stitches, with colours changing every two rows. Once the panel reaches the target length, two rounds of single crochet finish the edge, adding three stitches at each corner before fastening off and weaving in ends.

Skill level: confident beginner. Finished size is approximately 48 x 60 inches (122 x 152 cm), and the pattern uses US crochet terminology throughout.

Materials

  • Worsted weight (#4) yarn in three colors: sage green, cream, and dusty rose or similar shades, approximately 2,000 yards (1,830 meters) total.
  • 5.5 mm (US I-9) crochet hook.
  • Yarn needle for weaving ends.
  • Scissors.
  • Measuring tape.

The list is the pattern's own wording.

Instructions

Every round is printed as the pattern wrote it, brackets and all. Open the key beside a round to see only the short forms that round uses.

Main Pattern

With Color A, chain 170. The turning chain does not count as a stitch, and every row is turned. The blanket begins with a chain that creates a stitch multiple of 14 plus 2 extra stitches.

  1. (168)
    Row 1

    Dc in the 2nd chain from hook and each of the next 6 chains. Work 3 dc in the next chain. Dc in each of the next 6 chains. Dc3tog over the next 3 chains. Repeat the following sequence across the row: dc in next 6 chains, 3 dc in next chain, dc in next 6 chains, dc3tog over next 3 chains. End with dc in each of the last 7 chains. Turn. (168 stitches)

    Key2
    dc3tog
    double crochet three stitches together
    dc
    double crochet
  2. (168)
    Row 2

    Ch 2. Dc in first 7 sts. Work 3 dc in next st. Dc in next 6 sts. Dc3tog across the next 3 sts. Repeat across: dc in next 6 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 6 sts, dc3tog across next 3 sts. End with dc in last 7 sts. Turn. (168 stitches)

    Key4
    dc3tog
    double crochet three stitches together
    ch
    chain
    dc
    double crochet
    st
    stitch
  3. Row 3

    Repeat Row 2.

  4. Row 4

    Repeat Row 2 using Color B. Turn.

  5. Row 5

    Repeat Row 2.

  6. Row 6

    Repeat Row 2 using Color C.Continue repeating Row 2, changing colors every 2 rows. Work until the blanket measures approximately 58 inches (147 cm) from the starting edge.Fasten off after the final row and leave a long tail for weaving in.Border instructions: join Color A with a slip stitch in any corner.

  7. Round 1

    Ch 1. Sc evenly around the entire blanket, placing 3 sc in each corner. Join with a sl st to the first sc.

    Key3
    sl st
    slip stitch
    ch
    chain
    st
    stitch
  8. Round 2

    Ch 1. Sc in each stitch around, placing 3 sc in each corner stitch. Join with a sl st.Fasten off and weave in all ends.

    Key3
    sl st
    slip stitch
    ch
    chain
    st
    stitch

Special Stitch Explanation

Ripple decrease: Work dc3tog over the next three stitches to create the bottom of a wave.

Ripple increase: Work 3 dc into the same stitch to create the top of a wave.

Making up

  1. Step 1After completing the blanket, gently wash according to the yarn label instructions and lay it flat to dry. Blocking helps relax the stitches and define the ripple pattern.
  2. Step 2Use a yarn needle to carefully weave all loose ends into the back of the fabric. Avoid pulling too tightly because the ripple texture needs flexibility to maintain its soft waves.

Notes from the pattern

  • Finished size is approximately 48 x 60 inches (122 x 152 cm).
  • Gauge is approximately 14 dc x 8 rows = 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm). Always make a gauge swatch before adjusting the size, since changing yarn weight or hook size can affect the ripple shape and final measurements.
  • The 5.5 mm (US I-9) hook holds the double crochet rows firm enough to show the ripple texture without stiffening the finished drape.
  • The starting chain's stitch count, a multiple of 14 plus 2, is the only measurement that controls width, so recount it before beginning Row 1.
  • Working the dc3tog decrease loosely keeps the valley stitches from puckering tighter than the peak's 3-dc increase.
  • Colours change every two rows; cutting yarn at the same side each time keeps the colour blocks square rather than slanted. For a cleaner stripe, change colors during the final yarn over of the last stitch in the previous row.
  • Ripple blankets depend on accurate stitch placement. Counting each row before turning helps keep the peaks and valleys aligned throughout the project.
  • a modern look, try neutral shades, earthy tones, or high-contrast stripes instead of the pictured sage green, cream and dusty rose combination.

The essentials

Rounds
8
Parts
2
Level
Beginner
Time
6-9 hours
Hook
5.5 mm
Yarn
Worsted

Stitches you will use

  • Ripple shaping with a 3-dc increase and dc3tog decrease Appears in every row of the main panel; keep the increase stitch and the three-stitch decrease aligned exactly with the row below so the peaks and valleys stay stacked.
  • Single crochet border with corner increases Worked in two rounds around the finished panel; placing 3 sc in each corner stitch keeps the edge square despite the zigzag selvage.

Troubleshooting

The zigzag peaks lean to one side

This happens when the 3-dc increase is worked into the wrong stitch of the previous row; check that the increase lands directly above the increase stitch two rows below before continuing.

The blanket edges flare or ruffle along the sides.

Usually caused by missing or extra stitches in the decrease; recount the dc3tog group, which should reduce 3 stitches to 1, each time it is worked.

Colour bands look uneven in height across the blanket.

This comes from changing colour mid-row instead of at the start of a new row; always begin the colour change at the start of the repeat so each band covers exactly two rows.

Edges curl while working the panel.

Ripple blankets may naturally have some movement while being worked; blocking the finished piece and adding the single crochet border helps create smoother, flatter edges.

Substituting yarn

Cotton-acrylic blend, worsted weight
Produces a cooler, slightly stiffer fabric with crisper ripple definition; the same 5.5 mm hook works, though the finished blanket has less drape than an all-acrylic version.
100% wool, worsted weight
Adds warmth and a softer blocked finish once washed, but requires gentler hand-washing care, and a slightly larger hook may suit a loosely spun wool.
Acrylic-wool blend, aran weight
A heavier yarn shortens the time needed to reach the same length and gives a thicker, cosier blanket; move up to a 6 mm hook to keep the stitches from tightening.

Washing and care

  • Wash according to the yarn label, since fibre content is not specified beyond worsted weight, and always lay the blanket flat to dry rather than hanging it.
  • Block the finished piece gently to even out the ripple's peaks and valleys, then store it folded rather than compressed to keep the zigzag texture from flattening.

FAQs

Questions

Can this ripple pattern be resized for a smaller baby blanket?

Yes; begin with fewer ripple repeats on the starting chain and work fewer rows before the border, since the chain multiple of 14 plus 2 is what sets the width.

Why does the pattern use a dc3tog instead of a simple skip?

The dc3tog pulls three stitches into one, which creates the sharp valley dip that gives the ripple its defined zigzag shape rather than a soft curve.

How is the colour sequence worked across the blanket?

Colours change every two rows, moving from Colour A to Colour B to Colour C and repeating, which produces the alternating sage green, cream and dusty rose bands shown in the pictured version.

Does the border need to be worked in a particular stitch?

The edging is worked in two rounds of single crochet with three stitches placed in each corner, which squares off the zigzag selvage left by the ripple rows.

What size hook does this pattern require?

The pattern calls for a 5.5 mm (US I-9) hook throughout, used for both the main ripple panel and the single crochet border.

These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.