10 Crochet Ripple Afghan Patterns

Ripple afghan designs never go out of style. The chevron motif used in these blankets may be iconic to certain eras, but it's easy to bring the pattern into modern times by changing the colors and width of the ripples; you can always update the design to suit a current look. Perhaps the best part about crochet ripple afghans is that the process is easy to learn.

You can make a ripple design afghan using basic crochet stitches, such as single crochet and double crochet. Strategic increases and decreases create the "peaks and valleys" of the ripple, and you can alter how tall and deep the ripples are with your spacing.

The ripple afghan crochet patterns below are the cream of the crop for those wanting to make a beautiful chevron motif blanket; even a beginner can crochet these, and yet, the patterns will bowl you over with their striking and upscale graphic appearance.

Enjoy creating these stunning ripple afghans made with various yarn colors and types, and in a range of sizes.

01 of 10

Summer Waves Ripple Blanket

Credit:
The Blue Elephants

This ripple afghan teaches you the beginner chevron stripe. It's made using double crochet stitches, with an increase or decrease in every fourth stitch.

If you want to learn how to crochet ripples, this is the perfect place to start. The alternating color changes are easy to remember, so you'll have the hang of the ripple pattern down well before you've completed the blanket.

The blanket has a simple border of single crochet stitches that give a polished edge to the 40" x 40" finished blanket.

Summer Waves Ripple Blanket from The Blue Elephants
02 of 10

Rainbow Ripple Afghan

Credit:
Nancy P / Ravelry

Rainbow colors are a popular choice for crochet ripple blankets. This example shows how powerful that choice can be. The colors of the rainbow are not exact, so we get a more grown-up version of the rainbow than a straight ROYGBIV color scheme. This free crochet pattern also comes with suggestions for alternative striping choices to change up the rainbow. In all instances, the colors are made more vivid by the black striping.

Rainbow Ripple Afghan from Nancy P via Ravelry
03 of 10

Gentle Waves Crochet Blanket

Credit:
Kathie Sew Happy / Ravelry

This is one of the most detailed crochet patterns available for learning to make a classic ripple afghan. The pattern includes more than 30 step-by-step photos across 16 pages, using reader-friendly language to ensure you understand every tiny step of how to crochet a ripple. It's available with both United States and United Kingdom crochet instructions.

This blanket pattern is designed so you can create blankets of varying sizes (you can crochet ripple afghans for babies as well as master bedrooms using this design). The designer shows how to create an optional picot-inspired edge.

Gentle Waves Crochet Blanket from Kathie Sew Happy via Ravelry
04 of 10

Granny Ripple Afghan

Credit:
Crochet Dreamz

Combine two classic motifs in one crochet blanket with this pattern. In addition to the ripple striping, the afghan incorporates the granny stitch (the design element is enhanced with granny squares at the top and bottom of the blanket). Tassels hang off of the ends of the squares, creating a trendy contemporary look.

This free crochet pattern is easy to follow thanks to detailed instructions supplemented by photo tutorials. A beginner who has never worked a granny stitch or a ripple will still find it easy to crochet this blanket. The colors the designer chose are fresh and bright, but you can play around with them to evoke different moods.

Granny Ripple Afghan from Crochet Dreamz

Continue to 5 of 10 below
05 of 10

Post Stitch Ripple Blanket

Credit:
Catherine Bligh / Ravelry

There are several ways to add texture to a ripple blanket. One is to work in the back loop only to create a ribbed design. Another is to use post stitches to add texture to the front and the back of the blanket. The second method is precisely what happens in this free crochet blanket pattern. You'll combine double crochet stitches with front post and back post double crochet for a blanket that feels good every time you touch it.

Post Stitch Ripple Blanket from Catherine Bligh via Ravelry
06 of 10

Summerfling Ripple Afghan

Credit:
By Mimzan

One of the things that some people dislike about a classic ripple blanket is that the chevron shape leaves an uneven edge at the top and bottom of the blanket. This free crochet pattern shows you how to smooth out that edge to create a fully rectangular blanket.

The crochet pattern shown in this photo incorporates post stitches for texture. Step-by-step pictures simplify crafting. Seven rich colors make it a bold blanket.

Summerfling Ripple Afghan from By Mimzan
07 of 10

Fringed Ripple Afghan

Credit:
Make and Do Crew

Colorful stripes are popular for ripple afghan designs, but you can make a super-sophisticated blanket with a single color. The ripples are highlighted in this design thanks to the added fringe element.

Fringed Ripple Afghan from Make and Do Crew
08 of 10

Colorful Crochet Ripple Afghan

Credit:
Debbie Caldwell / Ravelry

Most crochet ripple blankets follow a basic chevron stitch formula. That's not the case with this design, though, so you can choose this pattern to learn a different way to make ripples. This pattern relies on changing stitch height to create the undulations of the design.

The blanket shown in this photo was inspired by Latin culture and the many colors represented in Latin countries. There are color changes with each row and the pattern shows you to carry the yarn up the sides to prevent having to weave in a million ends.

Colorful Crochet Ripple Afghan from Debbie Caldwell via Ravelry

Continue to 9 of 10 below
09 of 10

Round Ripple Crochet Afghan

Credit:
Mel Harrison / Ravelry

Although the ripple afghan is typically worked in rows, it certainly doesn't have to be. The round ripple is another popular design, perfect for people who prefer starting in the middle of a blanket and working their way out. There are many variations on a round ripple; this is a classic 12-point round ripple.

This blanket is designed in three sizes from a car seat throw to a toddler blanket. However, you can continue the pattern on your own to keep growing the blanket outwards to any desired larger size.

Round Ripple Crochet Afghan from Mel Harrison via Ravelry
10 of 10

Cats on a Fence Ripple Afghan

Credit:
Melinda Miller / Ravelry

Do something really different with the basic ripple when you choose this crochet blanket pattern. Instead of working a long ripple all the way across, shorter ripples are worked vertically to create panels that look fence-like. A design of cats is added to sit on top of that fence. The crochet pattern includes photos and helpful tips, as well as a color sheet to help crafters select the color pattern that will work best for their own design.

Cats on a Fence Ripple Afghan from Melinda Miller