About This Cascading Ripples Blanket Pattern
This pattern creates a 36 inch square Cascading Ripples blanket worked holding two strands of yarn together for extra softness and drape. The ripple texture is formed by simple single crochet rows and strategic chain and miss stitches to create gentle waves. The pattern uses a repeating 24-row color pattern, giving the blanket a soft striped, cascading effect. It finishes with a neat single crochet edging worked with two strands for a polished look.
Easy-to-follow instructions guide you through the foundation chain, ripple rows, color changes, and edging. Perfect for those who want a relaxing, tactile crochet project that produces a warm, durable blanket.
Why You'll Love This Cascading Ripples Blanket Pattern
I absolutely love this pattern because the ripple texture is so calming to crochet and beautiful when finished. I love how holding two strands together gives the blanket a luxurious weight and cozy feel without complicating the stitches. The color progression is simple to follow but creates a lovely cascading effect that looks more complex than it is. I enjoy that it is an approachable project for newer crocheters yet satisfying enough for experienced makers to customize and enjoy.
Switch Things Up
I love customizing this blanket by swapping the color sequence to match nursery or decor colors.
I often use a darker Contrast B for deeper ripples and a pale Contrast C for soft highlights to change the mood of the blanket.
To make a larger version, I would add more repeats of the 24-row Cascading Ripple Pat until the blanket reaches the desired size.
For a smaller baby-sized blanket, I would reduce the foundation chain in multiples that keep the ripple pattern intact and work fewer repeats of the 24-row sequence.
I sometimes substitute yarn with similar weight but different fiber content, such as a soft acrylic or acrylic-blend, to get different drape and washability.
I recommend trying a single strand of bulky yarn held with a thin strand for a chunky textured effect while keeping the ripple look.
I also like adding a contrasting border color: work several rounds of sc or a shell border for a decorative finishing touch that frames the ripples.
I often experiment with holding three strands for a super-thick, ultra-cozy blanket if I want a quick, heavy throw using larger hooks.
I sometimes embroider small motifs on select stripes for a personalized gift, making sure to secure embroidery threads on the wrong side to avoid snagging.
I suggest blocking the blanket lightly after finishing to even out the ripple waves and set the shape if your yarn benefits from gentle blocking.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
✗ Not holding two strands together evenly can create inconsistent tension and rows; hold both strands together throughout and maintain steady tension for an even fabric.
✗ Forgetting to mark every 50th chain makes counting the long foundation chain hard; place a stitch marker at every 50th chain to simplify counting and prevent mistakes.
✗ Skipping the instruction to leave the first and last sc of each row unworked will distort the ripple edges; always leave the first and last single crochet unworked as stated to preserve the pattern edge.
✗ Not fastening off and turning where directed can leave your edges uneven and the pattern misaligned; follow the fasten off and turn instructions exactly to keep stitch counts and row placement correct.
