Who found the clue for this month’s stitch? Did you see the little ripples I made with the yarn in the photo under Materials? Was that too, too subtle for a hint? Maybe I should make it easier for you all this month!
I knew for this block I wanted to incorporate snakes in some way. And while there isn’t a specific serpent crochet stitch, the ripple stitch I chose certainly has a serpentine movement to it. And because we are crocheting into the back loops only for this ripple, it creates a nice little ridge you can use to add some snake-inspired surface crochet.
Clearly for this era, we want to use black yarn and that exactly what I chose for the solid color version. But for the variegated, I want to use colorway inspiration from the album cover, which includes black, white, and gray. If you’re not sticking to a strictly solid or variegated style, Bernat makes a color called “Typewriter” that perfectly encompasses this era. It would also work beautifully for a block based on her most recent album…
Alright, now go grab your hook & yarn and let’s get started! Don’t forget to share your finished blocks in our Eras Crochet Along Facebook group! I absolutely enjoy seeing all of your different versions and yarn choices!
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They Said I Stitched Something Bad
(Ripple Stitch Version)
Difficulty
Intermediate
Materials
(Click the product links below to find your materials!)
- 1 – 10.5 oz Skein #6 Bernat Blanket Yarn in Gray Storm OR Coal
- OR 1 each color – 4.5 oz Skeins #4 Loops & Thread Impeccable Yarn in Black & Classic Gray
Tools
Measurements
The finished block will measure approximately 6″ by 48″ with the blanket yarn.
It will measure approximately the same using two strands of #4 medium-weight yarn.
This stitch tends to expand your work width-wise, so you will likely need to go down one hook size from the usual 8.00mm.
The primary goal is for your blocks to be close in width to each other for joining.
Gauge
10 double crochets = approximately 4 inches
4 ripple stitch rows = approximately 4 inches
Note: 10 dc stitches measured straight across, between two 2dc2tog stitches from two consecutive ripple “dips” is approximately 4 inches.
Special Stitches
Double Crochet 2 Together (dc2tog):
Yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through, 3 loops on hook.
Yarn over, pull through 2 loops. 2 loops on hook.
Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull through, 4 loops on hook.
Yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over pull through 3 loops.
This stitch creates a decrease, decreasing 2 stitches into 1.
Ripple Stitch Pattern:
This wavy stitch pattern is created with double crochets, by increasing stitches in the peaks and decreasing stitches in the valleys.
For this variation, one ripple consists of: >>2 double crochets in one stitch in each of the next 2 stitches (this increases 2 stitches into 4,) double crochet in each of the next 3 stitches, double crochet 2 together- twice (this decreases 4 stitches into 2,) and double crochet in each of the next 3 stitches.
The beginning and ending of the ripple rows vary from this pattern slightly as noted in the pattern.
Instructions
Use an 8.00mm hook to, Chain 109.
Switch to a 7.00mm hook for the remainder of the pattern.
Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each stitch across. (108 stitches) Chain 1, turn.
Row 2: *Slip stitch into the 1st stitch. Single crochet in the next stitch. Half double crochet into the next 2 stitches. Double crochet into the next 4 stitches. Half double crochet into the next 2 stitches. Single crochet into the next stitch. 1 slip stitch into the next stitch.** Repeat * to ** 8 more times. (The last 2 stitches will be 1 single crochet and 1 slip stitch.) Count to make sure you have 108 stitches.
Ch 2, turn.
NOTE: This row sets up a wave for the 1st ripple row. Without this row, your block would be too wavy to join.
Ripple Stitch Row
Row 3: All stitches are in the back loop only. Chain 2 does not count as a stitch. Do not crochet into the base of the chain 2.
Double crochet in the next 4 stitches.
*Double crochet 2 times in each of the next 2 stitches. (This makes 2 increases)
Double crochet into the next 3 stitches.
2, double crochet 2 togethers into the next 4 stitches. (See special stitches! You’re decreasing 4 stitches into 2.)
Double crochet into the next 3 stitches.**
Repeat * to ** 7 more times.
Double crochet 2 times in each of the next 2 stitches.
Double crochet in the next 3 stitches.
Double crochet 2 together into the last 2 stitches of the row. (108 stitches. Make sure you count your stitches!)
Chain 2, turn.
NOTE: By adding that last dc2tog at the end of the row, it ends the curve of the ripple and keeps the edge of your row straight. That’s also why you start the row with a chain 2, it melts into the 1st double crochet stitch of the row, keeping the edges straight.
Ripple Stitch Row
Row 4: All stitches are in the back loop only. Chain 2 does not count as a stitch. Double crochet into the next 4 stitches.
*Double crochet 2 times in each of the next 2 stitches. Double crochets into the next 3 stitches. 2 double crochet 2 togethers into the next 4 stitches. Double crochet into the next 3 stitches.** Repeat * to ** 7 more times.
Double crochet 2 times in each of the next 2 stitches. Double crochet in the next 3 stitches. Double crochet 2 together into the last 2 stitches of the row. (108 stitches, Count them!) Chain 2, turn.
Ripple Stitch Row
Row 5: All stitches are in the back loop only. Chain 2 does not count as a stitch.
Double crochet into the next 4 stitches.
*Double crochet 2 times in each of the next 2 stitches.
Double crochets into the next 3 stitches.
2 double crochet 2 togethers into the next 4 stitches.
Double crochet into the next 3 stitches.**
Repeat * to ** 7 more times.
Double crochet 2 times in each of the next 2 stitches.
Double crochet in the next 3 stitches.
Double crochet 2 together into the last 2 stitches of the row. (108 stitches. Counting is your friend.)
Chain 2, turn.
Ripple Stitch Row
Row 6: All stitches are in the back loop only. Chain 2 does not count as a stitch.
Double crochet into the next 4 stitches.
*Double crochet 2 times in each of the next 2 stitches.
Double crochets into the next 3 stitches. 2 double crochet 2 togethers into the next 4 stitches.
Double crochet into the next 3 stitches.**
Repeat * to ** 7 more times.
Double crochet 2 times in each of the next 2 stitches.
Double crochet in the next 3 stitches.
Double crochet 2 together into the last 2 stitches of the row. (108 stitches. Do you have 108?)
Chain 3, turn.
Row 7: All stitches in back loop only. Chain 3 counts as a stitch.
DC in next stitch. Half double crochet in the next stitch. Single crochet in next 2 stitches.
*Slip stitch in next 2 stitches. Single crochet next 2 stitches. Half double crochet next stitch. Double crochet next 4 stitches. Half double crochet next stitch. Single next 2 stitches.**
Repeat * to ** across 7 more times.
Start a new repeat but >>>end with a double crochet in each of the last 2 stitches.<<< (108 stitches.)
Chain 1, turn.
Row 8: Single crochet in the 1st stitch and in each stitch across. Make sure that last single crochet is placed in the top of the starting chain 3 from the previous row. (108 single crochets.)
Cut, tie off, and weave in ends.
NOTE: It is very easy to skip or miss a stitch with the ripple. You’ll know you stitched something bad if any of your peaks or valleys land anywhere else besides dead center in the ones from the previous row. So for the increases, you have 2 double crochets in each of 2 stitches, making 4 double crochets total. Those 2 increases should be into the 2 centermost double crochets of the increase stitches from the previous row. For the decreases, it’s the same thing. The 1st dc2tog should use a double crochet and the 1st dc2tog from the previous row, making those 2 stitches into 1.
So did you stitch something bad with this ripple stitch block or were you ready for it? Stitch patterns like this ripple stitch can often seem intimidating to beginner crocheters, but really, if you know how to make a double crochet, you can learn the increases and decreases to make this squiggly pattern. Plus, as a bonus, learning increases and decreases can help you better understand other patterns you may not have wanted to try.
Don’t forget to look for clues for next month’s block stitch! I’ll give you a hint: sometimes the obvious is simply just that.
The ad-free, paid version of the pattern that includes both abbreviated and unabbreviated instructions as well as a pattern chart will be live soon. In the meantime, I can’t wait to see your version of the block!
Have You Seen the Other Eras Crochet Along Blocks?
Sea Green Era: Just Another Pattern to Burn
Golden Era: Romeo, Take Me Somewhere We Can Buy Some Yarn
Amethyst Era: You Are the Best Hook That’s Ever Been Mine
Crimson Era: Frog the Patriarchy Keychain on the Ground
Sky Blue Era: I Could Show You Incredible Skeins
Ebony Era: They Said I Stitched Something Bad ⇦ You Are Here
Rosy Pink Era: I’d Marry You With Magic Rings
Slate Gray Era: Please Crochet Me in the Trees
Burnt Orange Era: Every Woven End Was Like a Work of Art
Twilight Blue Era: So Make the Friendship Blankets
Milky White Era: Lights, Camera, Stitch Smile
The Anthology: Hey, Kids! Joining Is Fun!
Thanks for stopping by!
Please let me know if you have any questions or need help with your block!
See you next month!
– Marie
