Shell and Post Stitch Ripple Afghan
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Columns of post stitch emphasize the shells in this ripple afghan. This is a quick and relatively simple pattern with a classy finished look.
The example is made in light worsted weight mercanized cotton.
Size: This blanket can be made any size. Five widths are given in the directions.
| Size | Width (Inches) | Length (Inches) | Ounces of yarn | Yards of yarn |
| Extra Small | 22.21 | 29.62 | 11.81 | 609.39 |
| Small | 30 | 40 | 21.53 | 1111.47 |
| Medium | 37.79 | 50.38 | 34.16 | 1763.28 |
| Large | 45.57 | 60.76 | 49.69 | 2564.84 |
| Extra Large | 53.36 | 71.15 | 68.12 | 3516.14 |
Materials:
Worsted weight yarn
Size H (5mm) crochet hook
Abbreviations:
ch = chain
ch sp = chain space
dc = double crochet
Special stitches:
dc3tog – double crochet 3 stitches together (uses three stitches, decreases by two stitches) – [Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops] 3 times (4 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through all loops on hook.
FPtr – Front post treble crochet – Yarn over 2 times, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the corresponding stitch below, yarn over and pull up loop [yarn over, draw through two loops on hook] 3 times.
BPtr - Back post treble crochet – Yarn over 2 times, insert hook from back to front to back around the post of the corresponding stitch below, yarn over and pull up loop [yarn over, draw through two loops on hook] 3 times.
The beginning chain should be a multiple of 34 plus 29.
For these widths, start with this number of chains:
22.25″ = 97
30″ = 131
37.75″ = 165
45.5″ = 199
53.25″ = 233
Row 1: 2dc in 4th chain from hook, dc in next 5 ch, dc3tog (uses 3 ch), dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, 2 dc in next ch, ch2, 2 dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, dc in next ch, dc3tog (uses 3 ch) ** dc in next 5 ch, 3dc in next ch, dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, 2 dc in next ch, ch2, 2 dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, dc in next ch, 3dc in next ch, dc in next 5 ch, dc3tog (uses 3 ch), dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, 2 dc in next ch, ch2, 2 dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, dc in next ch, dc3tog (uses 3 ch). Repeat from ** across to last 6 chains. Dc in next 5 ch, 3dc last ch. Turn.
Row 2: Ch3 (counts as a dc), 2dc in dc, dc in next 5 dc, dc3tog in next three stitches, BPtr around next dc, skip 2 dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next ch2 sp, skip 2 dc, BPtr around next dc, dc3tog in next three stitches, ** dc in next 5 dc, 3dc in next dc, BPtr around next dc, skip 2 dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next ch2 sp, skip 2 dc, BPtr around next dc, 3dc in next dc, dc in next 5 dc, dc3tog in next three stitches, BPtr around next dc, skip 2 dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next ch2 sp, skip 2 dc, BPtr around next dc, dc3tog in next three stitches. Repeat from ** across to last 5 dc and turning chain. Dc in next 5 dc, 3dc in top of turning chain. Turn.
Row 3: Ch3 (counts as a dc), 2dc in dc, dc in next 5 dc, dc3tog in next three stitches, FPtr around next BPtr, skip 2 dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next ch2 sp, skip 2 dc, FPtr around next BPtr, dc3tog in next three stitches, ** dc in next 5 dc, 3dc in next dc, FPtr around next BPtr, skip 2 dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next ch2 sp, skip 2 dc, FPtr around next BPtr, 3dc in next dc, dc in next 5 dc, dc3tog in next three stitches, FPtr around next BPtr, skip 2 dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next ch2 sp, skip 2 dc, FPtr around next BPtr, dc3tog in next three stitches. Repeat from ** across to last 5 dc and turning chain. Dc in next 5 dc, 3dc in top of turning chain. Turn.
Row 4: Ch3 (counts as a dc), 2dc in dc, dc in next 5 dc, dc3tog in next three stitches, BPtr around next FPtr, skip 2 dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next ch2 sp, skip 2 dc, BPtr around next FPtr, dc3tog in next three stitches, ** dc in next 5 dc, 3dc in next dc, BPtr around next FPtr, skip 2 dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next ch2 sp, skip 2 dc, BPtr around next FPtr, 3dc in next dc, dc in next 5 dc, dc3tog in next three stitches, BPtr around next FPtr, skip 2 dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next ch2 sp, skip 2 dc, BPtr around next FPtr, dc3tog in next three stitches. Repeat from ** across to last 5 dc and turning chain. Dc in next 5 dc, 3dc in top of turning chain. Turn.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until afghan is desired length. Finish off and weave in end.
The blanket can be made in a solid color or can be made with any number of color changes. The best way to make a color change is to finish all but the very last pull through of the two loops of the last double crochet of a row. Cut yarn with a few inches of tail and join with new color next to stitch. Pull new color through last two loops. Weave in ends.
I love this you are so very talented!
Just beautiful
oh my gosh! i love this! Thank you so much for posting it. I’ve got a baby blanket to make and this pattern is IT!
This is a lovely blanket and you stated it perfectly “…with a classy finished look”; the post stitches are wonderful for this kind of pattern . Thank you so much for sharing them with us.
I have always liked the Ripple Afghan, but I really love the twist you have given this one. I’ve had a problem with the Ripple wanting to curl at each peak, and vally, but it looks like this pattern will solve that. Keep up the great work, let your talent fly.
I love ripple afghan how crochet it. but I couldn,t firgue it
I loe both patterns. But this ripple is my favorite with the shell and the post stitch. is a lot different.
I love these colors! Can you share?
I made it with Knitting Fever King Tut. The colors are 350 and 344.
I just love this pattern , I made one and now i am going to make one with out the ripple. thank you so much for a great pattern !!!
Thank you for this beautiful pattern. I have made it in Teal, Aqua, and Cream in row sections of 6 and 4. I would like to add a border/trim, but I don’t want to take away from the pattern do you have any suggestions. Again thank you for sharing this pattern.
Three rows of single crochet in one color or one row of sc in each color. You could also do on row of sc then shells all around. Your colors sound lovely.
This is absolutely beautiful. I was looking for a pretty pattern to do for a Christmas gift. THIS IS IT!
Thank you so much for sharing.
Are you only crocheting in the back stitches? I started this pattern but I am not getting the neatness of that cute line, so is that back stitches only?
I made the example working in the front loops only (which is, of course the back loop of the previous row, but it is in the front after turning).
Could you show how to do a post stitch please?
I just found this video which demonstrates the type of post stitch that is also in my pattern. Let me know if this doesn’t help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MCAvLkTJrU&feature=related
Hi I love the design of this pattern and I am not an expert. On the row 1, the last 6 chains…I am doing Medium size with 165 chains…I think I did count it right, I did what you said on row 1, the last 11 chains are dc in next 5 chains, then I do 5 chains and 3dc in last chain. OK so I turn, proceed to row 2, what is a BPst around next dc? then (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next ch2 sp? That 2ch sp is farther away…how do i do this please.
I think I may know the problem. When you get to the end of the repeated section you really should have 6 chains left. Since you have 5 extra, it is something that happened once in each repeat. It may be the shell. In the first row, the shell should take two chains. The first 2dc are made in one chain, then ch 2, then the last 2 dc of the shell are made in the next ch. If you made the whole shell in one chain it would explain the extra five chains at the end.
I was on ravelry and noticed that the afghans I’m selecting end up being yours
. You do beautiful work and you sound like you have a heart for what you do especially in the way you answer questions. It is also evident in the way you lay out your patterns. I am relatively new and still learning how to read them and you make it easy so thank you. I have 2 questions: I did not see any guage info and I am coming in the back door as I have the yarn I wish to use and trying to find a pattern to fit it (original project for it fell through 
). I have a tendency to crochet large and my yarn on hand is as follows: 1154yds color A and 3926yds color B so I would love to go for the
:)! Any recommendations as to how to figure the spread of the much lesser color?? I sure went long on this but I hope it was clear and would love some understanding on how to look at qauge and color dividing. So appreciate your help and work.
x-large pattern. I would like to know how to work this seeing that I’d like to evenly spread the smaller amount of yarn color throughout the project. Am I seeing a valid concern here?- not wanting to run out, get the size I want, even spread of color… all from not having a guage?? I actually have another question after all that
Niv
My gage for double crochet for a 4″ square is 16 stitches and 7 rows.
Based on my gage for the extra large size, each row would take 26.68 yards. You would have enough color A for 43 rows and enough color B for 147 rows. Dividing it up depends on how stripy you want it. I put together a spreadsheet with a range of numbers of bands. This is assuming color B is the first and last band so will have one more band than color A. I can adjust these calculations if you need a different gage.
http://blogs.thetucker.com/knit/files/Stripes-Sheet1.pdf
thank you much for the speedy reply and helpful info.
Hello. This is my first time doing a crochet project of this size and I am truly excited. I am in love with this pattern, however I am confused.
In Row 2 you state “BPst around next dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next ch2 sp, skip 2 dc, BPst around next dc,” my issue is when I get to the first BPst I have 2dc there. So I just ignore that other dc just before the ch2 sp? Or do I BPst around the 2dc?
You skip the 2 dc before the ch2 sp. The 2 dc before and after the ch 2 sp form the shell and you will always work a shell in the ch sp of the prior shell and not work in the dc of the shell.
I am so happy you are using this pattern for your first big project. I know it will be beautiful.
Hi there! I am stuck on the beginning of row two… i did ch3, 2dc, dc in next 5 dc. Now if i bptr i am at the first dc at the beginning of the shell. If i put the bptr there then there is one more dc, then the ch 2, then the 2 dc… so where do i go from here?
The end of row 1: 2 dc in next ch, ch2, 2 dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, dc in next ch, dc3tog, dc in next 5 ch, 3dc last ch. Turn.
Now looking at Row 2 in reference to the end of row 1 -
Row 2: Ch3 (counts as a dc), 2dc in dc (this is in the first dc), dc in next 5 dc (2 of these are in the 3dc and 3 in single dc), dc3tog in next three stitches (so now this uses the last 2 single dc and the dc3tog), BPst around next dc (this is around the single dc between the dc3tog and the shell), (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in next ch2 sp….
My best guess would be that you may have put your 2 dc in the second dc instead of the first. They should go in the first to basically form a 3 dc by counting the ch3 as a dc.
Thanks for replying back so quickly! I think I got it now, I’ll let you know if I need more help (im kind of new at crocheting) Im very excited for this blanket! Your picture is so beautiful I hope mine turns out as good!
I’ve gotten here to the BPst and done that,but then I
have 2dc next. Does the(2dc,2ch,2dc) go in these dc or
do I skip those and go to the 2 chain stitches.
Skip those and put the (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in the ch2-space. That was causing confusion, so I’ve updated the pattern to make it clear that those two dc are skipped throughout.
Good Day,
I started this pattern last night and when I got to the end of Row 1, I could not finish the repeat pattern and end up with 6 chains. I’m curious, in two instances, you state that the dc3tog uses 3 chains, and in the other two instances, the direction of using 3 chains is left off. In that case, will the dc3tog be in the came chain space, using only one chain, or does the dc3tog always use three chain spaces? Thanks for your time and your amazing patterns!
The dc3tog always uses three stitches (chains in row one). I’m so sorry that was confusing. I updated the pattern to clarify that each instance of the dc3tog uses three stitches.
Thanks! I’m sure I must have repeated a line without noticing. I’ll get it tonight, I’m determined.
I love this pattern but I am having a bit of trouble…on row 2 after the bptr stitch and sk 2dc I have 12 dc to get to ch space for shell stitch. I have started over 2 times to make sure my count is right. Please help!
When you completed the first row, did it work out so that when you got to the last 6 chains, you had completed a repeat?
I had 1 extra space.
I did complete the repeat but had 2 chs left and I did a dc in both chs.
Something is going on with row 1. It should work out exactly so that at the end of the last repeat you are at the last 6 chains and can work the last stitches after the repeat. A common mistake is using one chain instead of two for the first row shells.
I kept working it and finally got it right! I am so happy…getting ready to start row 4. Thank you for this site and the help!
That is working the extra small size.
I will try it again. I also cross stitch and am usually very careful with my count. I absolutely love crocheting this pattern…it is fun for me!
the pattern states BPst but the special stitch states BPtr-
which is it?
Thank you
Good catch! Sorry about that inconsistency. I changed all the references for the two special post stitches to FPtr and BPtr.
Great pattern and so many possibilities for color choices. But what I REALLY appreciate is the size/yarn quantity chart. I crochet for several charities and each requires different size afghans. What a time saver this will be for me in determining how much yarn I will need Thanks for posting this!
What a beautiful afghan. Maby I’ll use this pattern instead of the zig zag one I had in mind.
My question is this: On the patterns that I’ve read and on Youtube tutorials, they suggest adding 2 extra stitches to the foundation chain and then later talks about adding 2dc at the end of the row of stitches. (I’m using dc in the pattern). This is totally confusing to me because it seems like the 2 extra stitches on one end would cause the afghan would be longer on one side than the other and look unbalanced. My brain just can’t grasp how this keeps the edges nicer (which is suggested on on Youtube). I hope this makes sense and if anyone understands my question, I’d sure appreciate your input so I can start my project. Many thanks & happy crocheting. Elaine
If you’d point me to one or more of these tutorials I’d be glad to take a look and give my opinion. Thanks!
I just started this afghan last night in the Large size and it’s already looking so awesome! Thank you so much for all of your great patterns
These printing options take up way too much space, and waste lots of paper. Otherwise, the patterns are very nice.
If you select the printer icon at the top of the pattern, it will make a clean copy without comments. You can also delete the pictures or any other sections you would like to delete before printing so that you don’t waste paper.
Love the look of this. Thanks