purlJam

# Rainbow Ripple Small Throw
*A beginner-friendly chevron blanket inspired by Susie's Rainbow Baby Blanket, resized for a small throw using fingering-weight yarn held double (or DK weight).*

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## Finished Measurements
- **Width:** approx. 48 in (122 cm)
- **Length:** approx. 60 in (152 cm)
- *Small throw size — perfect for a sofa or twin bed topper.*

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## Materials

### Yarn
**Fingering weight held double** OR **DK weight** (single strand). Total: ~1,750 yds (1,600 m).

| Color | Quantity (held double, fingering) | Quantity (DK single) |
|---|---|---|
| White / Cream (MC) | ~875 yds (800 m) | ~875 yds (800 m) |
| Red (A) | ~145 yds (135 m) | ~145 yds (135 m) |
| Orange (B) | ~145 yds (135 m) | ~145 yds (135 m) |
| Yellow (C) | ~145 yds (135 m) | ~145 yds (135 m) |
| Green (D) | ~145 yds (135 m) | ~145 yds (135 m) |
| Blue (E) | ~145 yds (135 m) | ~145 yds (135 m) |
| Violet (F) | ~145 yds (135 m) | ~145 yds (135 m) |

*If holding fingering double, double these yardages for fingering-weight yarn purchasing.*

### Hook
- **US G/6 (4.0 mm)** — or size needed to obtain gauge.

### Notions
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional)

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## Gauge
**16 dc × 9 rows = 4 in (10 cm)** in chevron pattern, after blocking.
Take time to check your gauge — it determines final size and yarn usage.

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## Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms)
- **ch** — chain
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **sc** — single crochet
- **dc** — double crochet
- **dc3tog** — double crochet 3 stitches together (decrease): [yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through 2 loops] 3 times, yo, pull through all 4 loops on hook
- **3-dc-inc** — work 3 dc in the same stitch (increase / peak)
- **rep** — repeat
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side

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## Special Notes
- Carry the unused white (MC) up the side when working repeating bands; cut and rejoin rainbow colors at each band to reduce bulk.
- Change to the new color in the last yarn-over of the previous row for clean color transitions.
- Always work the turning ch-2 at the start of each row; it does **not** count as a stitch. Work first dc into the first stitch of the previous row.

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## Stitch Count Logic (Math Check)
- Chevron repeat = **14 sts** (dc3tog + 5 dc + 3-dc-inc + 5 dc)
- 13 repeats × 14 sts = **182 sts**
- Plus 2 edge stitches (one at each end) = **184 sts** per row
- Foundation chain: 184 + 2 (turning) = **ch 186**
- Width check: 184 sts ÷ 16 sts/4 in = **46 in** (blocks to ~48 in) ✓
- Length check: 135 rows ÷ 9 rows/4 in = **60 in** ✓

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## Color Sequence (135 rows total)

| Section | Rows | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom border | Rows 1–8 | MC (white) |
| Rainbow band 1 | Rows 9–12 | A (red) |
| | Rows 13–14 | MC |
| | Rows 15–18 | B (orange) |
| | Rows 19–20 | MC |
| | Rows 21–24 | C (yellow) |
| | Rows 25–26 | MC |
| | Rows 27–30 | D (green) |
| | Rows 31–32 | MC |
| | Rows 33–36 | E (blue) |
| | Rows 37–38 | MC |
| | Rows 39–42 | F (violet) |
| Center white | Rows 43–60 | MC (18 rows) |
| Rainbow band 2 (reversed) | Rows 61–64 | F (violet) |
| | Rows 65–66 | MC |
| | Rows 67–70 | E (blue) |
| | Rows 71–72 | MC |
| | Rows 73–76 | D (green) |
| | Rows 77–78 | MC |
| | Rows 79–82 | C (yellow) |
| | Rows 83–84 | MC |
| | Rows 85–88 | B (orange) |
| | Rows 89–90 | MC |
| | Rows 91–94 | A (red) |
| Top border | Rows 95–135 | MC (41 rows — wide white "sky" panel) |

*Total math: 8 + 4+2+4+2+4+2+4+2+4+2+4 + 18 + 4+2+4+2+4+2+4+2+4+2+4 + 41 = 135 rows ✓*

*Tip: If you'd prefer a more symmetrical look, swap the bottom border (8 rows) with the top border length, or split the difference (24 rows top, 25 rows bottom).*

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## Instructions

### Foundation
With **MC**, **ch 186**.

### Row 1 (RS — Setup Row)
1. Dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped 3 chs count as first dc + edge). 
   - *Wait — for cleanest count, follow this exactly:*
2. **Ch 2** (does not count as st). Dc in **4th ch from hook** (this is your first edge dc).
3. *Dc in next 5 ch, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 5 ch, dc3tog over next 3 ch;* repeat from * to * **12 more times** (13 repeats total), but on the **last repeat**, end with dc in next 5 ch instead of dc3tog.
4. Work final edge: dc in last ch. Turn.

**Stitch count check:** 1 (edge) + 13 × 14 − 3 (last dec replaced) + 5 + 1 = 184 sts ✓

*Simpler restated version of Row 1:*
> Ch 2. Dc in 4th ch from hook. **[Dc in next 5 ch, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 5 ch, dc3tog over next 3 ch]** 12 times. Dc in next 5 ch, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 5 ch, dc in last ch. Turn. **(184 sts)**

### Row 2 and all following rows (chevron repeat)
**Ch 2** (does not count as st). Turn if not already turned.
- Dc in first st (edge).
- **[Dc in next 5 sts, 3 dc in next st (peak), dc in next 5 sts, dc3tog over next 3 sts (valley)]** 12 times.
- Dc in next 5 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts, dc in last st (edge).

**Stitch count remains 184 sts every row.** ✓

### Color Changes
At the end of any row before a color change, work the final dc until 2 loops remain on hook, yarn-over with the new color, and pull through. Cut old color leaving a 6-in tail (or carry MC up the side if it returns within 2 rows).

### Continue
Work Rows 2–135 in chevron pattern, following the **Color Sequence** chart above.

### Fasten Off
After Row 135, fasten off MC. Weave in all ends with a tapestry needle, working ends along same-colored stripes when possible.

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## Edging (Optional but Recommended)

With MC and RS facing, join with sl st in any corner.
- **Round 1:** Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire blanket, working **3 sc in each corner** and **1 sc in each side-row end** (approx. 1 sc per row along sides). Along the wavy top and bottom edges, follow the chevron shape: work into peaks normally and skip 1 st in each valley to keep edge flat. Sl st to first sc to join.
- **Round 2:** Ch 1, sc in each sc around, 3 sc in each corner sc. Sl st to join. Fasten off.

Weave in remaining ends.

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## Finishing & Blocking
1. Soak finished blanket in cool water with a wool wash for 20 minutes.
2. Roll in a towel to remove excess water.
3. Lay flat on blocking mats. Pin to **48 in × 60 in**, gently pulling peaks and valleys to define the chevron shape.
4. Allow to dry completely (24–48 hours).

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## Pattern Notes for the Beginner
- **Counting tip:** Place a stitch marker in the center of each "3-dc-inc" peak — this helps you find the next peak even if your stitch count drifts.
- **If your edges flare or pull in:** Your edge stitches are likely off. The first and last stitch of each row should be a single dc into the very first/last stitch of the previous row.
- **If the ripple flattens:** You may have missed a peak or valley — count to make sure you have 13 peaks and 12 valleys + 2 half-valleys at the edges per row.
- **Dc3tog reminder:** All 3 stitches go into 3 separate, consecutive stitches — not the same stitch.

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Enjoy your rainbow throw! 🌈