If you want one Christmas crochet blanket that will come out every winter for years, a ripple is hard to beat. The zigzag stripes look festive in red, cream and green, the whole thing is just double crochet, and once the first few rows are set up you can work it almost without looking.
This pattern comes in three sizes, baby, lap and throw, with a stitch chart, a printable PDF and a few colour ideas at the end if red and green isn’t your style.
In this post
Pattern at a glance
- Skill levelEasy
- SizesBaby, Lap, Throw
- Stitchesch, dc, dc3tog
- YarnWorsted weight (#4)
- Hook5.5 mm (US I-9)
- TermsUS crochet terms
Free printable pattern
The PDF has the written rows, the stitch chart, the stripe order and all three sizes on four pages. It’s handy for a long project you’ll pick up and put down all through December.
Materials
| Yarn (worsted #4) | Baby | Lap | Throw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 186 yd | 351 yd | 568 yd |
| Cream | 183 yd | 347 yd | 563 yd |
| Green | 183 yd | 347 yd | 563 yd |
- 5.5 mm (US I-9) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle and scissors
The amounts include about 10% extra. Soft acrylic or an acrylic-wool blend is ideal for a blanket that will be washed often. For the baby size, choose a soft, machine-washable baby-safe yarn.
Gauge and sizes
Gauge: 13 dc and 7 rows = 4 in (10 cm), measured over the straight part of a ripple. If your blanket is coming out wider than you want, it’s easy to change: every 12 stitches you leave out of the foundation chain removes one wave, which is about 3.5 in.
| Size | Foundation | Stitches | Rows | Approx. size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | ch 100 | 97 | 60 | 27 x 33 in (69 x 84 cm) |
| Lap | ch 136 | 133 | 84 | 38 x 46 in (97 x 117 cm) |
| Throw | ch 172 | 169 | 108 | 48 x 59 in (122 x 150 cm) |
Abbreviations (US terms)
| US | Meaning | UK equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ch | chain | ch |
| dc | double crochet | tr |
| dc3tog | double crochet 3 together | tr3tog |
| st(s) | stitch(es) | st(s) |
dc3tog: *yarn over, insert the hook in the next st, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops; repeat from * in each of the next 2 sts, then yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on the hook. It turns 3 stitches into 1 and makes the point of each valley.
Christmas crochet blanket pattern
Every row is the same: a half peak at each edge, and in between a repeat of 4 dc, a dc3tog (the valley), 4 dc and 3 dc in one stitch (the peak). The 3 extra stitches of each peak make up for the 2 lost in each valley and the half peaks, so the stitch count never changes.
Stripe order: 4 rows red, 2 rows cream, 4 rows green, 2 rows cream; repeat. To change colour, work the last yarn-over of the last dc of a row in the new colour, then turn.
- Foundation: With red, ch 100 (baby), 136 (lap) or 172 (throw).
- Row 1: Dc in the 4th ch from the hook (the skipped 3 ch count as a dc). *Dc in the next 4 ch, dc3tog over the next 3 ch, dc in the next 4 ch, 3 dc in the next ch; repeat from * across, but end the last repeat with 2 dc in the last ch instead of 3. Turn. (97 / 133 / 169 sts)
- Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in the first st. *Dc in the next 4 sts, dc3tog over the next 3 sts, dc in the next 4 sts, 3 dc in the next st; repeat from * across, but end the last repeat with 2 dc in the top of the turning ch instead of 3. Turn. (97 / 133 / 169 sts)
- Row 3 onwards: Repeat Row 2, following the stripe order.
Work 60 rows for the baby size, 84 rows for the lap size or 108 rows for the throw. That’s 5, 7 or 9 full stripe repeats, ending with a cream row. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Stitch chart
The chart shows the first six rows over two repeats. Read Row 1 from right to left; after that, every row starts on the side where its number is. The three stacked ovals are the ch 3 that counts as the first dc. A fan of three dc out of one stitch is a peak, and three dc joined at the top is a dc3tog.
Tips for crisp ripples
- Check the first two rows carefully. Every peak should sit on a peak and every valley on a valley. If they drift, you’ve got an extra or missing dc in a section.
- Count the stitch total now and then. It’s the same in every row, so it’s an easy check.
- Use a stitch marker in each peak for the first few rows until you can read the waves.
- Weave ends along the edge as you go. With a colour change every 2 or 4 rows, the ends add up quickly.
- Block it. Pin the peaks and valleys into sharp points on a carpet or foam mats, mist and leave to dry.
Colour ideas
- Candy cane: red and white only, 2 rows of each.
- Nordic: cream, grey and navy with a single row of red now and then.
- Woodland: forest green, mustard, rust and oatmeal.
- Winter frost: white, ice blue and silver grey for a blanket that works all season.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a ripple blanket take to crochet?
Double crochet grows fast. The baby size is a good one- or two-week project, and the throw takes most people a few weeks of evenings. Start now and it can be on the sofa by Christmas.
Why are the edges of my ripple blanket curving?
Usually the half peak at the edges was skipped. Each row must start with ch 3 and a dc in the first stitch, and end with 2 dc in the top of the turning chain; that keeps the side edges straight.
Can I make it any size?
Yes. Chain any multiple of 12, plus 4. Every 12 extra chains adds one wave (about 3.5 in), and you can stop after any cream row when it’s as long as you like.
Save it for later
Pin the image below so the pattern is easy to find. If you make a blanket, I’d love to see it: send a photo to info@cozymakery.com.
More festive makes: the granny Christmas tree skirt, the crochet Christmas hat for the whole family and the crochet Christmas stocking. Browse everything in Christmas Crafts.
