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How to Double Crochet Ripple Stitch

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It seems like the ripple stitch and chevron stitch are almost as iconic in crochet as the granny square. The ripple stitch is used in all sorts of designs and it’s time you learned how to work it.

Below you’ll find written instructions as well as full step-by-step photo tutorials (right and left-handed photos) walking you through how to crochet the ripple stitch.

text learn how to crochet the ripple stitch overlaid a swatch of crochet ripple stitch

What’s the difference between a Ripple Stitch Pattern and a Chevron Stitch Pattern?

Honestly, I am not sure there is an official difference between the ripple stitch and chevron stitch. They are very similar but when I think of the ripple stitch, I picture more gentle, rolling hills where chevrons are more like sharp, jagged mountains.

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Both stitch patterns make some sort of zigzag pattern that’s so fun to use in all sorts of crochet projects. This tutorial focuses on the double crochet ripple stitch only.

How to Double Crochet Ripple Stitch

The ripple stitch doesn’t have to be made with just double crochet stitches, although that is what this tutorial teaches. It can also be made with single crochets, half double crochets, and there’s even the granny ripple.

As you scroll through this tutorial, first you’ll find some notes on the foundation and turning chains, followed by the written instructions. After that, you’ll find step-by-step photo tutorials for both right-handed and left-handed crocheters.

You’ll need a yarn that’s easy to work with and a hook that’s the appropriate size for your yarn. For the photo tutorial, I used an acrylic, category 4, worsted weight yarn with my Furls 5.5 mm crochet hook.

Before you get started you’ll want to make sure you know how to chain, double crochet, place two double crochets in the same stitch, and double crochet 2 together. Please note that this tutorial uses US crochet terms.

The Foundation Chain and Turning Chain

Let’s talk a little bit about the foundation chain and turning chain counts. This is a super important concept for you to know, especially as you use patterns from multiple different designers.

With the way I make a double crochet, based on my tension and style of crocheting, a turning chain of two chains works best for me. Most common instructions will tell you to chain 3 at the beginning of a row of double crochets.

I highly encourage you to figure out what works best with the way you crochet. If a turning chain of 3 is too many, you will have a large gap at the beginning of the row, which is what happens when I chain 3.

If two chains aren’t enough, the beginnings of the rows will be pulled a little too tight.

All that being said, the instructions for this ripple stitch are written for a turning chain of 2.

If you use 3 for a turning chain, your starting chain will be a multiple of 12 + 3 and you will dc in the 4th chain from the hook.

Crochet Ripple Stitch Instructions

Abbreviations:

ch(s): chain(s)
dc(s): double crochet(s)
dc2tog: double crochet 2 together
st(s): stitch(es)


Ch multiple of 12 + 2 (please read the section on the foundation chain)
Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook, *dc in the next 3 chs, [dc2tog] twice, dc in the next 3 chs, [2 dc in the next ch] twice, repeat from * to the last ch, 2 dc in last ch, turn.
Row 2: ch 2, sc in next st, *dc in the next 3 sts, [dc2tog] twice, dc in the next 3 sts, [2 dc in the next st] twice, repeat from * to the last st, 2 dc in top of ch 2, turn.
Repeat row 2

Crochet Ripple Stitch Tutorial- Right Handed

Start with a multiple of 12 + 2 chains (example in photos starts with 26 chains)

Row 1: Double crochet in the 3rd chain from the hook

starting the first row of the double crochet ripple stitch

*Double crochet in the next 3 chains

adding the next 3 double crochets

[Double crochet 2 together] twice

dc2tog for ripple

Double crochet in the next 3 chains

adding next 3 double crochets

[2 double crochets in the next chain] twice

2 dcs in next stitch

repeat from * to the last chain

adding next 3 double crochets

2 double crochets in the last chain, turn

2 dc in last stitch
row 1 of ripple stitch completed

Row 2: chain 2, dc in next stitch (the last stitch of the previous row which is also the stitch at the base of the chain 2)

starting row 2 of ripple crochet stitch

*Double crochet in the next 3 stitches

added the next 3 double crochets in row 2

[Double crochet 2 together] twice

double crochet 2 together

Double crochet in the next 3 stitches

next 3 dcs completed

[2 double crochets in the next stitch] twice

2 dc in next stitch

repeat from * to the last stitch

one stitch left in row 2

2 double crochet in top of chain 2

2 dcs in last stitch of row 2

2 row of the ripple stitch completed. Give yourself a pat on the back!

a few rows of competed ripple stitch in orange yarn

Repeat row 2 (It’s such a fun stitch to use a striping pattern.)

orange gray striped crochet ripple stitch swatch

Crochet Ripple Stitch Tutorial – Left Handed

Start with a multiple of 12 + 2 chains (example in photos starts with 26 chains)

Row 1: Double crochet in the 3rd chain from the hook

starting the first row of the double crochet ripple stitch

*Double crochet in the next 3 chains

adding the next 3 double crochets

[Double crochet 2 together] twice

dc2tog for ripple

Double crochet in the next 3 chains

adding next 3 double crochets

[2 double crochets in the next chain] twice

2 dcs in next stitch

repeat from * to the last chain

adding next 3 double crochets

2 double crochets in the last chain, turn

2 dc in last stitch

You’ve completed one row of the crochet ripple stitch!

Row 2: chain 2, double crochet in next stitch (the last stitch of the previous row which is also the stitch at the base of the chain 2)

starting row 2 of ripple crochet stitch

*Double crochet in the next 3 stitches

added the next 3 double crochets in row 2

[Double crochet 2 together] twice

double crochet 2 together

Double crochet in the next 3 stitches

next 3 dcs completed

[2 double crochets in the next stitch] twice

2 dc in next stitch

repeat from * to the last stitch

one stitch left in row 2

2 double crochets in top of chain 2

2 dcs in last stitch of row 2

Repeat row 2

2 rows completed for left handed crochet ripple stitch

Don’t miss this gorgeous Ripple Baby Blanket Pattern.