If you are familiar with the foundation stitches, this is a sample of this technique applied to a ripple pattern. No more endless chains for ripple afghans!

6/1/09: No tutorial yet, but if you’d like to see one, favorite this project. If there’s enough interest, I’ll post something on Youtube when I find the time.

6/27/10: Finally! Here’s the turtorial in two parts:

1. Part 1 link
2. Part 2 link

If you try this, I’d love your feedback (good or bad). I’ll be happy to answer questions, too.

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How to interpret your pattern for

Chainless RIPPLE Foundation

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Solid ripple patterns
Your pattern

• says “chain multiples of X + Y”
• starts in a valley

Here’s what you do:

1. Take X, divide by 2, subtract 2. This is how many stitches on the straight (the part between the peaks and valleys).
2. Take Y, add 1. This is how many chains you do to start (Y is usually 2 or for double crochet).

Lacy or holey ripple patterns
Your pattern

• says “chain multiples of X + Y”
• includes chains on the peaks and skips stitches for the valleys

Here’s what you do:

1. Take X, divide by 2, subtract 2. This is how many stitches on the straight (the part between the peaks and valleys).
2. Forget Y, chain 2 to start.
3. Work foundation single crochets for your first row, still increasing and decreasing between the straights.

Variable width ripple patterns
Your pattern says
* “chain X”

Here’s what you do:

1. Forget X.
2. Look at your first real row of crochet.
3. You’ll need to figure out how many stitches to make on the straight. (Tip: The increases and decreases on a dc pattern typically involves 3 stitches for the increase and 3 for the decrease).