Zigzagging along: Stitch Four!

The problem with most ripple patterns is that they generally require you to count stitches almost constantly.  I had a frustrating experience with a rippled afghan fairly early on in my crocheting career and have been looking for an easy ripple pattern.  I was looking forward to trying this stitch because it appeared to fit the bill.  This stitch did not disappoint: it is now my go to pattern for ripples.  I made this entire baby blanket in only two days.  This was the quickest baby blanket to date and it is gorgeous.  Another plus is that it begins and ends with a straight row making adding a border easy and not awkward.  This stitch would be appropriate for scarves with either a long or short starting chain.

The color pattern I used is 1 row of white, 2 rows of maroon, then (2 rows of white, 2 rows of maroon) repeated, ending with a single row of white.

So here's how to make it: Ch 94 and work stitch until work is square.  Then add a maroon border and you're done.

Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner

I used Bernat satin yarn in Bordeaux and Snow with a J hook to make this blanket.

And then we have: Stitch Three!

I was skeptical when I began this stitch, and I honestly disliked it for the first few rows.  It bunches and twists and is generally difficult to work with until the fabric is large enough for it to easily lay flat.  Around row three I was dreading finishing this baby blanket.  Thankfully, the stitch gets much easier to do, and I genuinely like the stitch now.  However, I would not recommend this stitch for a scarf that is begun with a long chain.  A scarf with a short chain with lots of rows could work .This is a particularly warm stitch because the fabric generated is so solid.  There is a slight zigzag pattern inherent in the stitch, a kind of soft ripple.


The color pattern I used is 1 row of green, 2 rows of pink, then (2 rows of green, 2 rows of pink) repeated, ending with a single row of green .

So, here's how I made it: ch 92 then work the stitch until the work is square. Then add a border:
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner (pink)
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (pink)
Round 3: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (green)
Round 4: dc around, 5 dc in each corner (pink)
Round 5: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner (green)

I used Lion Brand Pound of Love baby yarn in Pastel Green and Pastel Pink and a J hook to make this.

Moving right along: Stitch Two!

I have used this stitch before to make scarves, so I knew before I began that I liked this stitch.  The word to describe this stitch is simple.  It's an easy stitch to master and it quickly becomes mindless.  That makes it great for projects you'd work on while watching a movie or talking to people.  At the end, both sides are the same, and the overall effect is one of lacy elegance.  If your primary goal is warmth, this is not the stitch for you because there are gaps inherent in the work that would let the cold in.  If you want something quick and easy that also looks very nice, it is a great stitch.

So, here's how to make it: Ch 90, then work the stitch as the book directs until the blanket is square.  Then put a border on it and you're done.
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: (dc, ch 1, sk 1) around, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in corner
Round 3: (dc, ch 1, sk 1) around, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in corner
Round 4: (dc, ch 1, sk 1) around, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in corner
Round 5: sc around, 3 sc in each corner

I made this using Bernat Baby Coordinates Tangerine Dream yarn with a J hook.

I've already made several scarves using this stitch and it has worked out well.  For scarves I recommend beginning by chaining 20, this will give you three repeats of the pattern, and thus two stripes.  You can also, of course, begin by making a long chain and only doing a few rows.  I have made both, and I prefer the first option.  The blue scarf was made by beginning with a ch 20; the variegated scarf was made by chaining 167 and doing 9 rows.

Well, here we go: Stitch One!

I was not overly enthused about this stitch before I began, but the more I used it the more I liked it.  This baby blanket is my favorite so far!  Yes, I know this is only stitch one, but I've made many baby blankets before, and this tops them all.

The color pattern I used is 1 row of maroon, 2 rows of white, then (2 rows of maroon, 2 rows of white) repeated, ending with a single row of maroon.  This generated a checkered look.

The two sides are similar but slightly different, and it is a matter of opinion which is prettier.  There is a slightly puffy side, and a flatter side.  I personally prefer the flat side, but everyone else I've shown it to preferred the puffy side.  What can I say?  I'm an engineer; I never claimed to be normal.  Anyway, the puffy side is shown first, then the flat side.

 So, here are the details of how to make this:

 Ch 94, and work the stitch as directed by the book with the color pattern already described.  (I picked maroon and white because I'm an Aggie and these are our colors; choose whatever colors you like.)  Repeat the stitch until the blanket is square.  These stitches are basically the same height as width, so my finished blanket was 15 x 15 white shells.  I made the border all in maroon as follows:
Round 1: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 2: dc around, 5 dc in each corner
Round 3: sc around, 3 sc in each corner
Round 4: (sc, ch 3, sk 1) around, (sc, ch 3, sc in same stitch) at corner

I used Bernat satin yarn in Bordeaux and Snow with a J hook to make this blanket.

This stitch worked great for a baby blanket.  It would also make a gorgeous scarf.

I have a plan!

There is a wonderful book of stitches that I have used for numerous projects.  It's great because it shows each stitch with three different color patterns.  This allows you to see what individual rows look like which helps in discerning what the pattern means.  I've decided to work my way through the book making a baby blanket out of each stitch.  Some of the stitches I have used for other projects, but the majority are new.

I am going to post pictures of the completed baby blankets along with instructions on how to make them, assuming that you own the book.  I highly recommend purchasing this book.  It's available at 

various craft stores as well as online.  Details are 

shown below.

Leisure Arts #4576, Triple Play Pattern Stitches

by Darla Sims