Cascading Ripples Crochet Baby Blanket in Two Strands

The Cascading Ripples crochet baby blanket uses single crochet and chain spaces to create waves. The entire project holds two strands together, and every row changes color. Its 24-row stripe sequence gradually shifts among blue shades and white rather than repeating equal-width color bands.

Materials, Gauge and Size

Bernat Baby Coordinates, 160 g balls: two each of Blue BonBon (MC), Sky (A), Soft Blue (B) and White (C). Use a 5.5 mm / US I-9 hook, or size for gauge, plus markers, scissors and a needle. Gauge with two strands held together is 12 sc and 13 rows per 10 cm / 4 in. The reference blanket is about 36 in / 91.5 cm square. The photo in the supplied copy is grayscale and low resolution.

Stitches and Pattern Notes

US crochet terms: ch = chain; sc = single crochet; hdc = half double crochet; dc = double crochet; tr = treble crochet; sl st = slip stitch; st = stitch; sp = space; BLO = back loop only; inc = 2 stitches in one stitch. Sc2tog, hdc2tog and dc2tog combine two neighboring stitches into one. A number before a stitch tells you how many consecutive stitches to work. Parentheses followed by a repeat number describe one complete group repeated that many times.

Plan the 24-Row Color Sequence

Row / round	Instructions	Count / note
1–4	MC, A, MC, A	4 rows
5–10	B, A, B, A, B, A	6 rows
11–18	B, C, B, C, B, C, B, C	8 rows
19–24	B, A, B, A, B, A	6 rows

Step 1: Make the Foundation Ripple

With two MC strands, ch 167. Mark every fiftieth chain to help count. Sc in the second chain. Work a peak section: (ch 1, skip one chain, sc in next chain) six times; ch 2; (sc in next chain, ch 1, skip one chain) six times; sc in next chain.

Between peaks, skip two chains and sc in the next chain. Work six peak sections in total, with five of these valley transitions between them. Do not add another valley after the sixth section. Fasten off and turn. The source calls this a 166-position foundation; the chain spaces form part of the ripple layout.

Step 2: Establish the Repeating Row

Join two A strands with a slip stitch in the first ch-1 space, leaving the first sc unworked. Ch 1 and sc in that same space. Repeat (ch 1, skip the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 space) five times, then ch 1.

At the peak, work (sc, ch 2, sc) in the ch-2 space. Down the slope work (ch 1, skip the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 space) six times. For a valley, skip the next two sc, then work (sc in the next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip the next sc) six times up the opposite slope. Repeat the peak/slope/valley structure around all six peaks, ending after the last descending slope. Leave the final edge sc unworked, fasten off and turn.

Step 3: Repeat the Waves and Colors

Repeat the second-row construction for all following rows while following the color table. Keep two strands of the same named color together in each row. The first and last sc remain unworked; the next row begins in a chain space. Mark the six ch-2 peaks if the two-strand fabric makes them difficult to locate.

Work five complete 24-row color sequences, counting the first two setup rows as part of the first sequence. You have 120 rows. Add one MC row, one A row and one MC row, for 123 rows before side edging. Do not turn after the last MC row.

Step 4: Edge the Two Sides

With two MC strands, ch 1 and sc into the row-end sc down the side. Fasten off. Join two MC strands to the first sc on the opposite side, ch 1 and sc into the row ends up that edge. Fasten off. The ripple-shaped foundation and final row do not receive a separate straightening border.

Weave in the color-change tails without drawing the side edges tight. Lay the blanket flat and compare all peaks and valleys before final washing. The original reference’s yarn quantity and gauge assume two strands throughout, including the side edging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the whole blanket double stranded? Yes, including the side edges.

Does each stripe continue for several rows? Each entry in the color sequence is one row. Some colors recur, but every row is worked and fastened off separately.

Does it need a border around all four edges? The supplied design adds sc to the two side edges only.

More Baby Crochet Ideas

Browse our Crochet Baby collection, compare baby bootie patterns, or explore baby cardigan ideas. Save the project to Pinterest before gathering your yarn.

Pattern and Photo Credits

Adapted from the supplied Blanket – Cascading Ripples.pdf. Pattern and reference photograph: Bernat, Cascading Ripples Blanket. Source photographs show the reference samples; captions identify any detail crops. This written adaptation has been reviewed against the supplied pattern pages but has not been physically crocheted or maker-tested. Yarn substitutions and tension can change the result.