Mocha Ripple Afghan, a beginner crochet blanket pattern
A classic made modern, the Mocha Ripple afghan is the perfect beginner crochet blanket pattern!
When Lion Brand first created their Skein Tones collection, I instantly knew I wanted to make a project to highlight the diverse shades in the 12-color collection. The Mocha Ripple Afghan is a celebration of the beauty and harmony these colors can create when they work together. With the free crochet pattern and helpful tutorial video, crocheters of every skill level can appreciate this throw blanket.
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Get the Mocha Ripple Afghan
- FREE PATTERN: Keep scrolling for the free version of the Mocha Ripple Afghan with tutorial video, available to view in this blog post.
- PRINTABLE PDF: Print off the 4-page full-color PDF pattern. It’s easy to read and gives full details on the yardage needed for each color. Purchase the pattern HERE.
- ALL IN ONE KIT: Customize your Mocha Ripple Afghan kit from Lion Brand. Kit includes a PDF version of the pattern (sent digitally) and all of the yarn you need. Optionally, add the crochet hook and tapestry needle to your order. Purchase the kit HERE.
Beginner Crochet Blanket Pattern
The very first project I learned to crochet with was a blanket. It’s no wonder that blankets are my favorite thing to make now. If I had to guess, I’d say I have over 15 handmade blankets in my collection.
I love making blankets because they are great for beginners. The repetitive nature and basic stitches of the Mocha Ripple Afghan make it a great beginner crochet blanket pattern. The excitement comes from the constantly changing colors.
Make a Statement with Yarn
I’ve always been a big fan of using color in my crochet. The Mocha Ripple Afghan was inspired by the beautiful color palette available in Lion Brand’s Skein Tones collection. Skein Tones is an extension of the Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling line of yarn, and it serves to represent and celebrate the diverse skin tones of makers.
As a black crocheter, I was so excited to get my hands on this yarn. I’ve gotten used to not seeing others who look like me in the craft space. That’s why I make it a point to show my hands and face as often as I can – to show other makers of color that they are represented and welcome. Even something as innocuous as yarn can be a place to take a stand and I’m grateful that Lion Brand did it.
Lion Brand has been a wonderful partner since the early days of my maker career. I’m so glad to keep creating with them and I really hope you like the beginner crochet blanket we’ve designed together.
The Mocha Ripple Afghan is available as an all-in-one kit from Lion Brand! Customize your kit now – Shop the Mocha Ripple Afghan Kit.
Get the Mocha Ripple Afghan
- Get the ad-free printable pattern HERE.
- Customize your project kit from Lion Brand HERE.
- Shop the yarn for this pattern HERE.
- Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.
- Pin this pattern on your Pinterest board HERE.
Mocha Ripple Afghan Details
MATERIALS
- Lion Brand Skein Tones yarn, 2 balls each of Cocoa (A), Mahogany (B), Truffle (C), Nutmeg (D), Cedarwood (E), Hazelnut (F), Almond (G), and Ivory (H).
- 5.5mm crochet hook (like THIS ONE)
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
FINISHED SIZE
60″ long x 48″ wide
GAUGE
4″ = 6.5 rows x 12 stitches in double crochet
ABBREVIATIONS
Ch(s) = chains
Dc = double crochet
Dc2tog = double crochet 2 together (decrease made)
Rep = repeat
St(s) = stitches
Tch = turning chain
NOTES
- Starting ch-3 counts as a double crochet throughout the pattern
- Fasten off color no longer in use after each color change, then weave in ends as you go to prevent having to weave them in later.
- After Row 1, the afghan is completed by repeating the Pattern Row with the color changes instructed in the pattern.
Would you like a little help along the way? Use this video as a guide while making your Mocha Ripple Afghan:
Mocha Ripple Afghan Pattern
PATTERN ROW
ROW 1: Ch 3, dc in st at base of ch, dc in each of the next 4 sts, (dc2tog) 2 times, *dc in each of the next 4 sts, 2dc in each of the next 2 sts, dc in each of the next 4 sts, (dc2tog) 2 times; rep from * to last 5 sts, dc in each of the next 4 sts, 2dc in 3rd ch of tch, turn.
BLANKET PATTERN
ROW 1: With A, ch 157, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of the next 4 chs, (dc2tog) 2 times, *dc in each of the next 4 chs, 2dc in each of the next 2 chs, dc in each of the next 4 chs, (dc2tog) 2 times; rep from * to last 5 chs, dc in each of the next 4 chs, 2dc in the last ch, turn.
ROW 2: Rep Pattern Row one time with A.
ROWS 3-4: Complete Pattern Row two times with B.
ROWS 5-6: Complete Pattern Row two times with C.
ROWS 7-8: Complete Pattern Row two times with D.
ROWS 9-10: Complete Pattern Row two times with E.
ROWS 11-12: Complete Pattern Row two times with F.
ROWS 13-14: Complete Pattern Row two times with G.
ROWS 15-16: Complete Pattern Row two times with H.
ROWS 17-96: Continue in pattern, repeating Pattern Row and changing color every 2 rows, working sequentially through colors A-H. There will be 6 repeats of colors A-H when complete.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends. Block lightly to finished dimensions if needed.
Prefer an ad-free printable pattern? Get the Mocha Ripple Afghan pattern for just $5 HERE.
Thanks for joining me to make the Mocha Ripple Afghan! Now that I’ve made one in these muted colors, I’m planning a bright and colorful palette for the next one 🙂
Share your ripple blanket with me on Instagram using #TLYCMakers. Then pop into the TLYC Makers Facebook group and share there too – we can’t wait to see it!
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Oh, Toni I just love your videos. These colors are magnificent!! I need to stash bust before I buy any more yarn but I already know I am going to go against my own word and buy these colors!!1 Just scrumptious!!
Your blanket is absolutely beautiful and I think I just may check out Chirp as well. Living alone it might be nice to have someone read to me!!
Thanks for all you do for us crocheters!!
I think you’ll really like Chirp. I listen to audiobooks from my library, but hate waiting for some books sometimes. It’s great that you get books immediately and keep them forever with Chirp. Happy stash busting – this pattern is perfect for using up lots of yarn 🙂
Absolutely beautiful! I’m jumping over to Lion Brand RIGHT NOW to purchase my kit while they’re on sale! Can’t wait to make this!!
Also, thank you for the video tutorial – very nicely done!!!
Hope you were able to get that good discount! Let me know how your blanket comes along 🙂
I did! And I also bought your Sand Bar Cardi and Summertime Tank kits, as well! Your designs are fantastic and easy for me, a beginner, to follow!
Excited to get started on this for a gift! If I was to make it smaller or larger, what multiple should I use for the starting chain? Thank you!
Hi! The stitch multiple is 14 + 3.
Loving this pattern. Using it with a different colorway but I LOVE the skeintones you show here! I’m a newer crocheter and I would be lost with out your amazing videos and yarn reviews!!!
I love this blanket! I’m not sure what I am doing wrong, but I always end up with 6 stitches left vs 5. I also use stitch markers when doing my foundation chain as well. I chained 157. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Hi Kierra! At the beginning of the row, are you starting with a dc at the base of the chain AND THEN dc 4? I messed that up when I was working on the blanket originally so I wonder if this might be happening to you too.
I was wondering if I can use this pattern to make a temperature blanket with. Different colors of course. I love your youtube channel.
You certainly could! Just note that 365 rows will get pretty long. I’ve seen people make a Jan-June and a June-Dec blanket for the year, just to keep them a reasonable size.
Maybe I’m just missing it somewhere, but I don’t see a number of chains to start with? I’m brand new to crochet. How many chains do I need?
Hi! Row 1 says to chain 157 to start.
I absolutely LOVE these colors, the shades are just beautiful! These are the colors of my living room too. The ripple pattern is my favorite, so I think I’m going to buy these colors and crochet a blanket for myself to cuddle up with during our cold long winters! Your tutorial on this is great, you explain things so clearly – thank you! Love the idea of the audio books too!
If I were to start this project with a foundation chain, what type of stitch should I make it with? (Single, half-double or double?) How many stitches will there be in the foundation chain…would it be 154?
By the way Toni, Thank you for your joyful spirit you bring to your work. You have inspired me to start crocheting again, after a break of several years. I had forgotten how much fun it is, and your tips and videos have really helped me!
Hi! I haven’t tried this with foundation stitches, but I would go with foundation double crochet stitches to keep it consistent with the rest of the pattern. It’s tricky to say how many stitches you want to start with, as the increases and decreases are based on the initial foundation chain. I’d recommend starting with 157 foundation stitches, then unpick any extras.
This pattern works well with Foundation Double Crochet (US terms). You are using a multiple of 14+3 for the stitch count, but you don’t need to worry about it as you are doing the first row, so your ripple has already started.
Make sure that you do 2 DC into one chain at the beginning and the end of your Foundation Row.
The exact width is up to you and your needs.
[…] from dozens of free crochet patterns on my blog. A few of my favorites are the Kima Cardi and the Mocha Ripple Afghan. Check out free crochet patterns […]
I started this pattern about two weeks ago and I am obsessed with how great it is. This is the first project I’ve made bigger than a scarf and it’s going fast but looks amazing. The stitch seems like it should be hard but it’s easy to get into a rhythm. Also, real talk, I’ve definitely gotten to the end of a row, realized I had the wrong number of stitches left, gone back over the row and found I’d miscounted, and then… Kept going anyway because I’m too lazy to rip out a row of work. As long as I’ve only been off by one or two, if I just double crochet into the remaining stitches after the double crochet two together stitches, double crochet twice into the chain, and continued on with the stitch pattern in the next row, it’s been totally fine! As a beginner, knowing the pattern can tolerate my minor mistakes has been a huge relief. 15/10, highly recommended.
I am so glad you kept going and everything came out just right. Those little “mistakes” are what add character anyway.
Hi Toni,
Love your name by the way, it is so perfect just like you. 😀 I am an experienced knitter but do crochet and consider myself an advanced beginner who has taught myself how to read patterns but not charts. Anyway I started another ripple afghan that is very similar to your pattern and just tossed it out because when I changed colors for some odd reason I end up with an extra stitch on the end. So now I am attempting yours and will have your video readily available. By any chance can I send you pictures of my afghan when I get to the point where I have an issue? I can even send you video if that helps. I am so frustrated and am determined to send this blanket with my niece when she goes back to college in Vermont in August. I am keeping my fingers, toes, you name it crossed I can finish it. Oh and one other thing, she loves the color black so I am making it in white on the top and bottom and alternating black and gray, let me know what you think to all of this. Keep your fingers, etc crossed with me. 😀
Keeping my fingers crossed for you, but I have a feeling you got this 🙂 If you have pattern support questions, send them to [email protected] 🙂
Hi Toni,
This Mocha ripple Afghan is gorgeous !!!! I too prefer things for the home, I’m in the process of determining
what to crochet as Christmas gifts. This works for me, looking forward to your next project and thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this pattern! I made it when it first came out as a gift for my friend having a baby. Now, I have two friends wanting a ripple blanket, and I remembered how lovely this blanket was when I made it the first time. I’m very thankful to creators like you who give out these patterns so that I can make lovely things for my friends’ kiddos.
(Also, I tried other patterns, yours are always written so well and are easy to understand. Makes me wish there was a Toni pattern for everything. haha)
Hi Toni,
Just thought I’d let you know that being a 64-year-old man (almost 65!!?!), I rarely find a pattern that makes me think about it with eagerness from the moment I wake up in the morning. This was the first one in a long time to do that for me.
Also, I had ordered some yarn in different colors (think ‘sand and sea’ colors) that I wanted to turn into an afghan, but at the time I ordered it, I had no idea what pattern I would use. Then, I found this one yesterday, and I knew I’d bought that yarn for this afghan. As luck would have it, my yarn arrived shortly afterward, and YES, I started on it last night. This morning all I could think of was how much I wanted to get working on it again.
Needless to say, this is a Great pattern! It’s easy, looks beautiful, and it’s very well written. What else can an ‘old’ man (ha, ha) want? Especially one who’s been crocheting since he was about 12!!
Thanks Bunches!!
(okay, now I really NEED to get back to my afghan!)
Hey there, James! You are just too sweet and your comment is beyond heartwarming! I am glad Toni’s work has helped you in so many ways and that you are making what sounds to be a glorious Ripple Afghan! Very coastal 🙂 I will be sure to pass along your kind message to Toni!
Late to the party here! I love this! How would I adjust this to make it a bay blanket size? Any suggestions?
Great question, darling! The starting chain for this blanket is a multiple of 14+3. You can start by making a swatch starting with a chain of 45 (this is 3 multiples of 14, then an additional 3) and work about 8 rows. Measure the width to determine how many multiples you need for the full width of your blanket. Then you’re off to the races! Hope that helps, and would love to hear how it turns out 🙂