A baby blanket is a bigger commitment than the dishcloth or the coasters, but it's not a harder pattern — it's the same rows repeated for longer. This ripple version uses one 4-row color and stitch sequence, worked over and over until the blanket reaches size, which means once you've crocheted the first repeat correctly, the rest is muscle memory.

Abbreviations

ch — chain
dc — double crochet
st(s) — stitch(es)
sk — skip

Materials

Worsted weight yarn (US #4) in 3 colors — roughly 200g of a main/background color and 100g each of two accent colors, for a stroller-sized blanket
5.0mm (US H-8) hook
Yarn needle

Gauge and finished size

At roughly 13 stitches and 8 rows per 4 inches in this pattern, the chain and row counts below produce a blanket approximately 30 x 36 inches — a comfortable stroller or bassinet size. See the sizing note below to scale up to a full crib blanket.

Foundation

Chain 134 (a multiple of 12, plus 2, which is what the ripple's peaks and valleys need to repeat evenly).

Row 1 (main color). Dc in the 3rd chain from hook — this is your first stitch. From there, work this four-part sequence across the row: dc in next 4 sts; sk next 2 sts (skipping these two is what pulls the fabric down into a valley); dc in next 5 sts; then 3 dc in next st (fanning three stitches into one single stitch is what pushes the fabric up into a peak). Repeat that sequence across, ending with dc in last 2 sts. Turn. (The peaks and valleys balance each other out, so your total stitch count stays the same across the row — you're reshaping the fabric's edge, not adding or losing stitches.)

The 4-row stripe repeat

Row 2 (main color). Chain 2 (this counts as your first dc), then dc in next st. Now repeat this sequence across the row: sk next 2 sts (valley); dc in next 5 sts; 3 dc in next st (peak); dc in next 4 sts. When you reach the last repeat of the row, adjust it as needed so the peak-and-valley pattern lines up evenly with the row's edge rather than cutting off mid-sequence. Turn.

Row 3 (accent color 1). Join the new color in the first stitch. Repeat Row 2's pattern exactly, in the new color. Turn.

Row 4 (accent color 1). Repeat Row 2's pattern again, same color as Row 3. Turn.

Row 5 (accent color 2). Join the second accent color. Repeat Row 2's pattern. Turn.

Continue the stripe sequence — 2 rows main color, 2 rows accent 1, 2 rows accent 2, repeat — until the blanket measures your target length, ending on a complete stripe rather than stopping mid-color for a clean final edge.

Finishing

Fasten off after the final row, leaving a long tail. Weave in every color-change tail as you go rather than saving them all for the end — with this many stripes, a "weave it all in later" pile gets discouraging fast. One row of single crochet worked evenly around all four sides gives the blanket a clean, non-wavy border.

Sizing up or down

Full crib size (about 36 x 48 inches): start with a chain of 158 (still a multiple of 12, plus 2) and continue the stripe repeat for more rows before finishing.
Lovey / small security blanket: chain 50 and work far fewer repeat rows — the same 4-row stripe sequence scales down with no changes to the stitch pattern itself.
Solid color instead of stripes: skip the color changes entirely and work every row in Row 2's pattern with one yarn — the ripple texture holds up fine without the stripe color-blocking.

If joining a new color mid-blanket keeps leaving a visible jog or knot on the edge, how to change colors in crochet covers the invisible join this pattern relies on for every stripe transition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this blanket safe for a newborn's crib? For unsupervised sleep, current safety guidance recommends keeping loose blankets out of a crib entirely — this pattern is best used as a stroller cover, a supervised tummy-time mat, or a swaddle-adjacent accessory rather than crib bedding for an infant sleeping alone.

How much yarn do I actually need for the full stroller size? Budget roughly 400g total across the three colors (200g main, 100g each accent) for the 30x36 inch size in this pattern — buying one extra skein of your main color is cheap insurance against running short mid-blanket.

Can I make this with just one color instead of stripes? Yes — the ripple stitch pattern itself doesn't depend on the color changes at all; working every row in a single color produces the same wave texture without any of the color-joining steps.