Crochet Pattern: Gentle Gradient Ripple Blanket with video tutorial

In New York City, we’re in the midst of a cold wave, complete with a heavy snow storm just a few days ago. Work has been a bit stressful, so I decided to do some “comfort crocheting” to get through the chilly nights at home, and a cozy throw seemed like just the right project.

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Gentle Gradient Ripple Blanket, free crochet pattern in Red Heart Super Saver yarn by Underground Crafter | This easy ripple pattern uses just one stitch and includes a video tutorial. This simple, beginner-friendly ripple pattern creates gentle waves. Use six colors or make it scrappy.

I like my “comfort crochet” projects to be easy so I don’t need to think too much. I can let the repetitive motions of the crochet hook calm my nerves while watching a project appear before my eyes. I picked the stitch pattern for this blanket because it is so simple. It uses just one stitch (my favorite, the half double crochet) and the decreases don’t involve any fancy stitchery (just skipping stitches).

Gentle Gradient Ripple Blanket, free crochet pattern in Red Heart Super Saver yarn by Underground Crafter | This easy ripple pattern uses just one stitch and includes a video tutorial. This simple, beginner-friendly ripple pattern creates gentle waves. Use six colors or make it scrappy.

I choose the colors because I had these on hand and I like the gradient look. If you wanted something less earthy, you could choose five blues and a white, or five greens and a white, or, well, you get the picture. Luckily, there are a lot of color options (over 130) in Red Heart Super Saver.

Shop Red Heart, America's Favorite Yarn
Gentle Gradient Ripple Blanket, free crochet pattern in Red Heart Super Saver yarn by Underground Crafter | This easy ripple pattern uses just one stitch and includes a video tutorial. This simple, beginner-friendly ripple pattern creates gentle waves. Use six colors or make it scrappy.

The other reason I chose Red Heart Super Saver for this project is that it reminds me of MC’s ripple blanket, made for him by his aunt (using Super Saver) back in the day. He’s had this beautiful creation since childhood (and we’re Gen Xers). Yes, it has some rips and stains (he was a teenager with it, after all) but it has lasted through to adulthood. I want this throw to last through the foreseeable future (which, in our case, includes two naughty cats).

If you want to go for a coordinated look, like I did, you’ll need just one skein in each of six colors, but this pattern would also work well as a scrappy throw using leftover bits of yarn from other projects.

Gentle Gradient Ripple Blanket, free crochet pattern in Red Heart Super Saver yarn by Underground Crafter | This easy ripple pattern uses just one stitch and includes a video tutorial. This simple, beginner-friendly ripple pattern creates gentle waves. Use six colors or make it scrappy.

As I was writing this up, I realized it would also be a great beginner ripple pattern (for all the same reasons that it’s an easy project for a more experienced crocheter). Since beginners may have more questions, I’ve included a video tutorial at the end of the pattern.

I learned yesterday (after scheduling the original draft of this pattern) that I’m joining the Red Heart Joy Creators, Red Heart’s Featured Bloggers. It’s a wonderful coincidence that this comfort project is being published just after this announcement. I’m excited to join this group of talented bloggers!

If you make your own Gentle Gradient Ripple Blanket, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

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Gentle Gradient Ripple Blanket

Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

This simple, beginner-friendly ripple pattern creates gentle waves. Use six colors or make it scrappy. A video tutorial is included at the end of the pattern.

Finished Size

  • Lap Throw: 34.5” (87.5 cm) wide x 48” (122 cm) long.

Materials

  • Red Heart Super Saver yarn (100% acrylic, 7 oz/198 g/364 yd/333 m) – 1 skein ea in 312 Black (CA), 365 Coffee (CB), 360 Café Latte (CC), 334 Buff (CD), 313 Aran (CE), and 316 Soft White (CF), or approximately 336 yd (307.5 m) in ea of 6 colors in any medium weight yarn.
  • US Size I-9/5.5 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
  • Yarn needle.

Gauge

  • 19 sts x 10 rows = 4” (10 cm) in pattern. Exact gauge is not critical for this project.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

  • CA – Color A
  • CB – Color B
  • CC – Color C
  • CD – Color D
  • CE – Color E
  • CF – Color F
  • ch – chain
  • ea – each
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • rep – repeat
  • sk – skip
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • *Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.

Pattern Notes

  • You may choose to insert your hook in the front, middle, or back loop of the half double crochet stitches starting in Row 2. Each position will create a slightly different look. For best results, use consistent positioning within each row. (I inserted my hook into the middle loop of every stitch in every row.)
  • For tips on working with a long foundation chain, read Easy Fixes for a Foundation Chain with Too Few or Too Many Stitches.
  • A video tutorial is available below.
  • If you can’t see the video tutorial above, watch it here on YouTube.

Pattern Instructions

Blanket

  • With CA, ch 180 (or any multiple of 14 sts, + 12).
  • Row 1: Turn, sk 2 ch (counts as hdc), hdc in next 4 ch, 3 hdc in next ch, hdc in next 5 ch, *sk 1 ch, hdc in next ch, sk 1 ch, hdc in next 5 ch, 3 hdc in next ch, hdc in next 5 ch; rep from * across.
  • Row 2: Turn, ch 2 (counts as hdc, here and throughout), sk first 2 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, 3 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 5 sts, sk next st, hdc in next st, sk next st, hdc in next 5 sts, 3 hdc in next st; rep from * across to last 6 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sk 1 st, hdc in turning ch.
  • Rows 3-4: Rep Row 2 twice, changing to CB with last yarn over of final hdc of last row rep. Fasten off CA.
  • Rows 5-8: Rep Row 2, 4 times, changing to CC with last yarn over of final hdc of last row rep. Fasten off CB.
  • Rows 9-12: Rep Row 2, 4 times, changing to CD with last yarn over of final hdc of last row rep. Fasten off CC.
  • Rows 13-16: Rep Row 2, 4 times, changing to CE with last yarn over of final hdc of last row rep. Fasten off CD.
  • Rows 17-20: Rep Row 2, 4 times, changing to CF with last yarn over of final hdc of last row rep. Fasten off CE.
  • Rows 21-24: Rep Row 2, 4 times, changing to CA with last yarn over of final hdc of last row rep. Fasten off CF.
  • Rep Rows 5-24 until blanket measures approximately 48” (122 cm) long or desired length, ending after Row 20. Fasten off.

Finishing

  • With yarn needle, weave in ends.
© 2017 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: http://undergroundcrafter.com/2017/03/17/free-pattern-gentle-gradient-ripple-blanket. Thanks for supporting indie designers!

11 thoughts on “Crochet Pattern: Gentle Gradient Ripple Blanket with video tutorial”

  1. I love this project. The ripple pattern was a favorite of my grandmother. She made all of us afghans and we treasured them. Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg 🙂

    Reply
  2. I saw this pattern and knew I wanted to make it soon. first project after a bad divorce was ripple pattern when finisheded I had triangle tail. Have made ripples since then.

    Reply
  3. Very happy to see tutorial for this pattern. I can do things better after seeing them done. Also, I was happy to see you show how to stitch in the bump, to have a better looking finish on the bottom, in another tutorial I watched. Why have I never seen this done, before you?! I was never satisfied with that unfinished look!

    Reply
  4. Thank you. I am working on second one from your pattern. The gradual ripple is a softer look to me than hard points of our grandmother ‘s ripple.

    Reply
  5. Wow thank you! Love this pattern and it’s FREE. Half double stitch is my favorite. I will make this pattern for the cancer Center I donate to. That you again! 😊😊

    Reply

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