Nebula Cloud Ripple Blanket Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

The Nebula Cloud Ripple Blanket is a soft, dreamy throw designed for anyone who has just learned the basic crochet stitches and wants to make something beautiful. Gentle chevron waves ripple across the fabric in dusty pink and violet stripes over a calm cream base, all wrapped in a deep purple border that frames the whole piece like the edge of a drifting cloud. Worked entirely in single crochet, it has a dense, cozy, squishy texture that feels wonderful draped over a chair, a crib, or a lap. If you can single crochet, you can make this blanket — the waves do all the work for you.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn in four colors:
  • Color A (cream): 600 yds
  • Color B (dusty pink): 300 yds
  • Color C (violet): 300 yds
  • Color D (deep purple): 150 yds (for edging)
• Hook: 6.5 mm (K/10.5) crochet hook
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional, for marking peaks and corners)
• Finished size: Approximately 25 inches x 34 inches

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sk — skip: leave the next stitch unworked.
• st(s) — stitch(es).
• RS — right side: the front of the blanket that faces out.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• rnd — round: a row worked in a continuous loop around the edge.
• [ ] — repeat the instructions inside the brackets the number of times stated.

Gauge

13 stitches and 13 rows = 4 inches in the ripple pattern (single crochet). To check, crochet a small swatch of the ripple pattern and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if needed to match.

Tips Before You Start

• Count your peaks. Each row should have the same number of 3-sc peaks and skipped valleys. Count them at the end of every row until the rhythm feels automatic.
• Change colors at the end of the last row of a band. Complete the final single crochet of the row with the new color so the color change sits neatly at the edge.
• Keep your tension even. Ripple patterns show uneven tension clearly, so relax your grip and let the hook do the work.
• Don't skip the skipped stitches. The skipped stitches at each valley are what create the wave — they are intentional, not mistakes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The blanket is worked flat in rows. Ripple pattern multiple: 14 sts + 1. The stripe sequence alternates cream (A) with pink (B) and violet (C) bands, beginning and ending with cream.

Blanket Body

With A, ch 99.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 5 ch, *3 sc in next ch, sc in next 5 ch, sk next 2 ch, sc in next 5 ch; rep from * to last 7 ch, 3 sc in next ch, sc in last 6 ch. (99 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 6 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, sk next 2 sts, sc in next 5 sts; rep from * to last 7 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in last 6 sts. (99 sts)

Rows 3-6: Rep Row 2. Change to B. (99 sts)

Rows 7-10: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 11-14: Rep Row 2. Change to C. (99 sts)

Rows 15-18: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 19-22: Rep Row 2. Change to B. (99 sts)

Rows 23-26: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 27-30: Rep Row 2. Change to C. (99 sts)

Rows 31-34: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 35-38: Rep Row 2. Change to B. (99 sts)

Rows 39-42: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 43-46: Rep Row 2. Change to C. (99 sts)

Rows 47-50: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 51-54: Rep Row 2. Change to B. (99 sts)

Rows 55-58: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 59-62: Rep Row 2. Change to C. (99 sts)

Rows 63-66: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 67-70: Rep Row 2. Change to B. (99 sts)

Rows 71-74: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 75-78: Rep Row 2. Change to C. (99 sts)

Rows 79-82: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 83-86: Rep Row 2. Change to B. (99 sts)

Rows 87-90: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 91-94: Rep Row 2. Change to C. (99 sts)

Rows 95-98: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 99-102: Rep Row 2. Change to B. (99 sts)

Rows 103-106: Rep Row 2. Change to A. (99 sts)

Rows 107-110: Rep Row 2. Change to C. (99 sts)

Rows 111-114: Rep Row 2. Change to A. Do not fasten off. (99 sts)

Edging

Rnd 1: With D, ch 1, sc evenly around the entire blanket, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

This blanket is worked in one piece, so there is no seaming required. Weave in all yarn ends along the wrong side, threading each tail through several stitches to secure it. Block the blanket lightly by misting it with water and pinning it to the finished measurements (25 x 34 inches) on a towel or blocking mat; let it dry completely so the ripples lie flat and the edging sits straight.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Change the palette: Swap the dusty pink and violet for teal and navy for a cooler, starry-night look, or use a single self-striping yarn for a no-fuss color change.
• Make it bigger: Add multiples of 14 chains to the starting chain to widen the blanket, and repeat the stripe sequence as many times as you like for extra length.
• Add texture: Work the edging in a contrasting stitch such as a crab stitch (reverse single crochet) for a slightly raised, finished border.