SIZE: One Size
About 42 x 54 in. (106.5 x 137 cm)
GAUGE:
1 ripple + 7 rows = about 5 in. (12.5 cm).
When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. The needle or hook size called for in the pattern is based on what the designer used, but it is not unusual for gauge to vary from person to person. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make your swatch, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.
Making a Gauge Swatch
STITCH EXPLANATION:
Cl (3 double crochet cluster) Yarn over, insert hook in indicated st, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook (2 loops rem on hook), (yarn over, insert hook in same st, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook) 2 times (4 loops rem on hook) yarn over and draw through all loops on hook.
NOTES:
1. Afghan is worked in two sections using ripple crochet patterns and different striping sequences. The ripple patterns are similar and easy to do, but it’s important to remember that you may need to work several rows before the ripple pattern becomes clear.
2. The ripple pattern consists of alternating peaks and valleys. The peaks are made by working 3 sts or (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in the center st or ch-sp of the peaks of the previous row. The valleys are made by skipping sts centered over the valleys of the previous row. Take care to keep the peaks and valleys of each row aligned.
3. The yarn color is changed to make stripes. To change color, work last st of old color to last yarn over. Yarn over with new color and draw through all loops to complete st. The old color can be fastened off, leaving a long tail to weave in later, or can be carried carefully up side of piece until next needed. If colors not in use are carried up side of piece, take care to hide the carried strands when working the side borders.
4. Borders are worked onto completed Afghan.
FIRST SECTION STRIPE SEQUENCE
Work 4 rows with A, 2 rows with B, 4 rows with A, 2 rows with C, 4 rows with A, 2 rows with D, 4 rows with A, 2 rows with E, 4 rows with A, 2 rows with F, and 4 rows with A, for a total of 34 rows in First Section Stripe Sequence.
SECOND SECTION STRIPE SEQUENCE
Work 4 rows each with B, A, C, A, D, A, E, A, F, and A, for a total of 40 rows in Second Section Stripe Sequence.
AFGHAN
First Section
With A, ch 139.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across – you will have 138 sc at the end of this row.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc in this row and in all following rows), turn, sk first 3 sts, (3 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts) twice, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next st, *sk next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts, Cl in next st, sk next 4 sts, Cl in next st, sk next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next st; rep from * to last 9 sts, sk next 2 sts, (3 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts) twice, dc in last st – 8 ripples.
Row 3: Ch 3, turn, sk first 3-dc group, 3 dc in each of next 2 sps between 3-dc groups, *(3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp, *3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups, Cl in next sp between 3-dc group and cluster, sk next sp between clusters, Cl in next sp between cluster and 3-dc group, 3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp; rep from * to last three 3-dc groups, 3 dc in each of next 2 sps between 3-dc groups, dc in sp between last 3-dc group and turning ch.
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sk next st, sc in next 8 sts, *3 sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next 14 sts; rep from * to last ch-3 sp, 3 sc in last ch-3 sp, sc in next 8 sts, sk next st, sc in top of turning ch ch – 140 sts.
Change to B.
Row 5: Ch 3, turn, sk first 2 sts, dc in next 8 sts, *3 dc in next st, dc in next 7 sts, sk next 2 sts, dc in next 7 sts; rep from * to last 11 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 8 sts, sk next st, dc in last st.
Row 6: Ch 3, turn, sk first 2 sts, dc in next 8 sts, *3 dc in next st, dc in next 7 sts, sk next 2 sts, dc in next 7 sts; rep from * to last 11 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 8 sts, sk next st, dc in top of turning ch.
Change to A.
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sk next st, sc in each st across to last dc and turning ch, sk next st, sc in top of turning ch – 138 sc.
Rep Rows 2-7 and continue to change color as in First Section Stripe Sequence until all 34 rows of sequence have been completed. Note: The last row you work will be a Row 4 worked with A.
Second Section
Change to B.
Row 1: Rep Row 5 of First Section.
Rows 2-4: Rep Row 6 of First Section 3 times.
Change to A.
Row 5: Rep Row 7 of First Section.
Rows 6-8: Rep Rows 2-4 of First Section.
Rep Rows 1-8 and continue to change color as in Second Section Stripe Sequence until all 40 rows of sequence have been completed.
Fasten off.
FINISHING
Side Borders
Row 1 (RS): From RS, join A with sl st in corner of Afghan, ready to work across either long side, ch 1, sc as evenly spaced as possible across the long side.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
Change to C.
Fasten off A.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
Fasten off. Rep across other long side, working Row 3 with E instead of C.
Top and Lower Borders
Row 1 (RS): From RS, join A with sl st in corner of Afghan, ready to work across either short end (including edges of side borders), ch 1, sc as evenly spaced as possible across the short end.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
Change to B.
Fasten off A.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
Fasten off.
Rep across other short end, working Row 3 with F instead of B.
Weave in ends.
source - Ripple Rainbow Afghan