The Ripple Dance

After a couple projects that tested my skill and patience, I must have wanted something dreamy to crochet. What better than a ripple? Exactly!

I bought this lovely assortment of playful yarns from WEBS quite awhile ago and just never really decided what to do with it.
First, it was a ripple,
then a granny square blanket,
and for awhile, it was going to be a granny stripe blanket.
I even entertained the Lace & Bobbles pattern, aka Stitch Sampler by Jean Holzman.
Coming, full circle…..it’s a ripple, specifically Lucy of Attic24′s Neat Ripple. All ripples are so similar and Lucy’s inspiration came from Jan Eaton’s Soft Waves (#8 in her book). The repeats are different 14 and 12 respectively, fwiw.

A discussion on the Lucy group on Ravelry brought about the dance….The Ripple Dance, if you will.

Another trick to this pattern is the rhythm – the dance! Each row starts with the V – the 2 US dc…so here we go…

1 & 2….1 2 3 4…1 & 2 decrease…1 2 3 4…1 & 2 and 1 & 2 increase…1 2 3 4…1 & 2 decrease…..

…and so it goes to the end with a final 1 & 2

It is the rhythm that makes ripples so addictive and enjoyable. My own little yarny high going on….all legal and good for the spirit. What makes me so happy with this particular ripple is the color….so MUCH color that it is a feast. I can’t wait to wrap myself in this blanket!
I admit that rippling can get boring in its simplicity, but the color changes come just fast enough and I look forward to standing over my box of yarns and picking the next color to work. Yes, I’ve gone completely wild and gone random with my color choices! OH!

The Details:
Chain 227 (224 + 3 turning chain) for a 60″ wide blanket
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash Wool
Hook: H (because its my favorite)
No dance shoes required.

Children don’t stop dancing
Believe you can fly
Away…away
~~Creed~~

How To Crochet a Blanket

This was one of the search engine terms that ‘found’ it’s way to my crochet blog. I suspect the person was disappointed b/c I’ve never really talked about how I crocheted my first blanket. So for a moment or two, here’s how I worked up to doing my first blanket.

Before You Start
Buy a couple hook sizes and maybe a couple different brands to see what feels best in your hand. Boye and Bates are readily available. I prefer Bates because my hands are small. I’ve also grown fond of Clover hooks, but they’re not for everybody, either. I recommend a H or I hook to start.
Buy some cheap yarn. Red Heart Super Saver is fine to learn with. I don’t recommend Caron Simply Soft because it’s splits and that is aggravating. Learning to crochet can be aggravating enough without yarn problems, so save the Caron SS for later. Cotton yarn, like Sugar ‘n Cream is good also.

• Learn how to make a consistently sized chain, then work on turning your chain and working back down the chain.
• Learn how to single crochet several rows without missing the end stitches or adding stitches. In other words your project should stay squared up and even all around. When I was doing this I just made blocks of all sizes, squares and rectangles.
• Next, master your double crochet.
• Other stitches you may need: half double crochet, slip stitch. 

Your stitches don’t have to be anywhere near perfect, and when you can make a fairly decent square, you’re ready. I recommend starting with a ripple and this pattern by Susan B is a classic. There are other ripple patterns and other types of blanket to start with, but this is what I started with. By the time you finish this blanket, you’ll feel quite confident with your double crochet skills.   Happy  Crocheting!

Finished Group Project

The Well Traveled Baby Blanket

Pattern: Baby Big Granny Afghan
Yarn: ILTY in white, buttercup, orchid, mid green, and springtime ombre
Hook: H or I depending on who was crocheting

Thank you Michelle, Elaine, Jessica, and Ginger for your beautiful handwork.

This was a fun way to crochet, work together, share chocolate, and to bless a friend! We are looking forward to doing it again.

Bull’s Round Ripple Afghan

Pattern : Round Ripple following these instructions
Yarn : I Love This Yarn! by Hobby Lobby in medium blue, brown, & blue camo stripe
Red Heart SS in navy
Hook : I
Finished size: 72″ point to point

Here is a closeup shot of the border done in Reverse Half Double Crochet. This is a wonderful, hefty border that is worth the time and the effort to learn to crochet backwards.

2 WiPs

I just started this one on the 3rd for my oldest son. I knew the Spiderman RR would end up being the sole possession of my youngest DS. Anyway, he chose blues and browns … very boy. I am enjoying this ripple.
Free pattern: Monica’s Z’s rendition

This is the afghan for my nephew’s graduation. His college colors will be black & red. This is worked with 2 strands of dc and made in strips. I am ‘working’ on my 3rd strip of 5. This one I don’t enjoy so much, but it will look good when finished.
Free pattern: Flannelghan