The Crochet Handbook: Learn what Equipment you need to Crochet, The Basics of Crochet, How to Read Written Patterns, Graphs, Charts and Diagrams, and More (10 page)

Remember the odd rows are read from right to left, and the even rows are read from left to right. Use the table to help read and understand crochet diagrams.

CHAPTER THREE – How to Figure Out the Number of Stitches for a Foundation Chain

Although there are lots of patterns you can follow to crochet up a ripple afghan, knowing how to figure out how long a foundation chain should be will help you create your own patterns and understand written patterns and diagrams better. Most patterns have a set number of stitches which repeat to create the stitch pattern. This is why when you look at some written patterns they say crochet a foundation chain in sets of 5 plus 3. This means the stitch pattern consists of five stitches which repeat across the row. The plus three is for the first stitch, probably a double crochet.

For example the wavy ripple pattern used in this book has a pattern repeat of 10 stitches. If you look at the diagram below you will see the stitches in red are the pattern repeat. There are 5 stitches on either side of the pattern repeat for each end.

10 stitch pattern repeat

To calculate how many foundation stitches you need first look at the table in the back of this book and choose a side. For this example we’ll use a baby blanket which is 30 inches wide. Now crochet a gauge swatch with the yarn and hook you intend to use.

There are 3 stitches per inch with a size I/9 crochet hook and medium weight yarn.

Since the afghan will be 30 inches wide you will need 90 stitches using this yarn and hook. Add 3 for the first stitch and you will need a foundation chain of 93 stitches to crochet a 30 inch wide afghan. According to the table the blanket should be 54 inches long. In the gauge swatch there is almost 2 rows per inch. So you will need to crochet 108 rows to get 54 inches.

To use another example let’s say you want to make an afghan to fit a double size bed. The dimensions are 60 inches wide and 78 inches long. Using the same swatch this would mean you will need 180 foundation stitches plus 3 for the first double crochet, and 156 rows for the length.

Width:

3 stitches per inch X 60 inches = 180 stitches plus 3 = 183 stitches for the foundation chain

Length:

2 rows per inch X 78 inches = 156 rows

You can use this formula for all patterns. As long as you know the number of stitches in the pattern repeat you can calculate the number of chains in the foundation row and add the chains for the first stitch. Here is the formula written out.

Number of stitches per inch times total width in inches equals foundation chain. Add the stitches for the first stitch equals the total number of chain stitches needed for the foundation chain

Number of rows per inch times the length in inches equals the total number of rows needed. (Round up to the nearest whole number.)

CHAPTER FOUR – Basic Ripple Pattern

The ripple pattern has been a favorite for many decades, and for good reason. It is easy to learn, quick to work up, and gives you plenty of chances to show your creativity. When you look at a ripple afghan you will see it has peaks and valleys separated by lengths of single stitches. At the peaks there are three stitches crocheted into one stitch. At the valleys there are three stitches crocheted as one, or stitches are skipped to draw the fabric up into a valley. On one end of the afghan there will be a starting chain and various numbers of stitches crocheted into the first stitch depending on what the pattern calls for. On the other end stitches are worked into the top of the starting chain. How many stitches separate the peaks and valleys decide on how sharp the wavy pattern will be.

Single Crochet Ripple

This is an example of a single crochet ripple. Single crochet produces a very dense and tight fabric with a pronounced ripple pattern. For the foundation chain you would need 10 sets of stitches plus 1 for the first single crochet.

10 stitch pattern repeat

Repeat Row 2 until desired length

The written pattern is as follows:

Chain sets of 10 plus 1

Row 1: 2sc into the 2
nd
chain from the hook, sc into each of the next 6 sts, 3sc into the next st *sc into each of the next 6 sts, sc3tog, sc into the next 6 sts, 3sc into the next st* rep across row ending with sc into the next 6 sts, sc2tog in the last 2 sts, turn

Row 2: ch1, sc into the first st, sc into each of the next 6 sts, 3sc into the next st *sc into each of the next 6 sts, sc3tog, sc into the next 6 sts, 3sc into the next st* rep across row ending with sc into the next 6 sts, sc2tog in the last 2 sts, turn

Repeat Row 2 to desired length

Double Crochet Chevron Pattern

The chevron pattern is a variation of the basic ripple. It has sharper peaks and valleys. In the example below you can see that you would crochet two sets of three double crochet to form the peaks, and two sets of double crochet three together to form the valleys. This creates very deep peaks and valleys for the chevron pattern.

Sets of 28 plus 3

The pattern I used for this afghan called for a foundation chain of 196 chain. That is 7 sets of 28 plus 3 stitches for the first double crochet.

Row 1: 2dc into the fourth chain from the hook, dc into the each of the next 10 sts, dc3tog *dc3tog, dc into the next 10 sts, 3dc into the next st twice, dc into each of the next 10 sts, dc3tog* repeat across the row ending with a dc into each of the next 10 sts, 3dc into the top of the turning chain

Row 2: ch3, 2dc into the first st, dc into the each of the next 10 sts, dc3tog *dc3tog, dc into the next 10 sts, 3dc into the next st twice, dc into each of the next 10 sts, dc3tog* repeat across the row ending with a dc into each of the next 10 sts, 3dc into the top of the turning chain

Repeat Row 2 until the desired length in the following color sequence:

Color A: 6 rows

Color B: 4 rows

Color C: 6 rows

Color B: 4 rows

This color sequence is repeated five times for a total of 100 rows.

CHAPTER FIVE – Ripple Variations

There are many variations of the ripple pattern. In this chapter we’ll go over some of the most popular variations on the ripple pattern.

Eyelet Ripple

The eyelet ripple uses skipped stitches to form the valleys. By skipping stitches you create eyelets in the fabric. We’ll make a cute dishcloth to practice the pattern. You will need two colors of cotton or cotton/polyester yarn, a size I/9 (5.50mm) crochet hook, and a tapestry needle. I used Premier Cotton yarn in Orange and Sunshine. Don’t cut the yarn, but carry it up the side of the dishcloth.

Wavy Dishcloth Diagram

Sets of 9 plus 3

Wavy Dishcloth Written Pattern

With Color A chain 30

Row 1: dc into the 3rd chain from the hook, dc into each of the next 3 sts, sk2 sts *dc into each of the next 3 sts, 3dc into the next st, dc into each of the next 3 sts, sk 2 sts* rep across row ending with a dc into each of the next 3 sts, dc2tog in the last ch, turn

Row 2: ch3, dc into the 1
st
st, dc into each of the next 3 sts, sk2 sts *dc into each of the next 3 sts, 3dc into the next st, dc into each of the next 3 sts, sk 2 sts* rep across row ending with a dc into each of the next 3 sts, dc2tog in the last ch, turn

Rows 3 & 4: Repeat Row 2 with Color B

Rows 5 & 6: Repeat Row 2 with Color A

Rows 7 & 8: Repeat Row 2 with Color B

Rows 9 & 10: Repeat Row 2 with Color A

Rows 11: ch1, sc across the top, 3sc into the corner, sc evenly along the side, 3sc into the corner, sc across the bottom, 3sc in the corner, sc evenly along the side, 2sc in corner, join in ch1, fasten off and weave in tails.