Tulip Fields Ripple Crochet Afghan -

Hello again! For this summer’s Chunky Thread project, I chose some wildflower colors and adapted this free pattern into a throw sized blanket. I’ve been on a ripple kick lately, and love how therapeutic they are to stitch.

While I used the pattern linked above as my starting point, I wanted to make it larger than the baby size shown, and also make the “tulip” row really pop, looking as much like real leaves and tulips as possible.

(In case you want to stitch this version, I’ve included my pattern adaptations written out below if you scroll down to the bottom of this post.)

For this afghan, I chose Cloud as my main color, and accented with Tea Rose, Riley Aqua, Plum, Beehive, Frosting, and Denim. Leaf is my favorite of the greens, so that was my choice for my “leaf” row.

In this size, I found that each white stripe took a little less than one skein of Cloud, and I could get exactly 2 tulip stripes out of each contrasting color. I needed 4 skeins of Leaf to complete all the green rows.

Fun fact: my color inspiration came from my kitchen! I love collecting vintage dishes, and for this afghan I got as close as I could to some of my vintage Pyrex, Fire King, and other fun colorful retro dishes.

See how nicely they match??

This project had enough repetition to be easily memorized, but enough variety to make it fun to stitch. I really enjoyed working on this one during the lovely spring months, seeing the tulip rows slowly grow under my crochet hook – just like the stripes of real tulips that make tulip fields so striking every spring.

Because I chose to finish out the color repeat exactly, I ended up with a 46 x 51″ afghan. It’s a good size for a warm weather throw.

Now, if you’re interested in the specifics, here are my crochet instructions:

For the starting chain, I did ch 218. Then I followed the pattern for the first 6 rows.

My additional special stitches were:

-cluster (cl) = work 2 dc in same st, retaining last lp of both dc on hook, draw new lp through all 3 lps on hook

-popcorn = work 5 dc in same st, drop hook, insert in first of the 5 dc, draw lp through and pull tight

For the leaf row, I joined my green in the first stitch, (ch 3, dc) in the first dc, [sk next st, work (cl, ch 1, cl) in next st] 3 times, sk next st, * work dc2tog, [(sk next st, work (cl, ch 1, cl) in next st) 4 times; now at the “peak” ch 1, [(cl, ch 1, cl) in next st, sk next st] 3 times, (cl, ch 1, cl) in next st; repeat from * across to last half peak, work dc2tog, [sk next st, work (cl, ch 1, cl)] 3 times, 2 dc in last st. Fasten off.

You should have 8 cl groups between each dc2tog, and 3 on each end plus the additional 2 dc to start and finish the row.

For the tulip row: Join your color in first dc, (ch 3, dc) in first dc, (ch 1, work popcorn in next cl group) 3 times, *do not ch 1, (work popcorn in next cl group, ch 1) 4 times, popcorn in top ch 1 sp between cl groups, (ch 1, work popcorn in next class group) 4 times; rep from * across, ending with 3 popcorns on the last half peak, ch 1, 2 dc in last dc.

You should have 4 on each side of each peak, 1 at the top of each, and 3 on each half peak.

For the first white row: Join Cloud in first dc, (ch 3, dc) in first dc, hdc in next dc, hdc in next ch sp, hdc in next popcorn, hdc in next ch sp, 2 hdc in next popcorn, * work hdc2tog over next ch sp and popcorn, work hdc2tog over next popcorn and ch sp, (hdc in next popcorn, hdc in next ch sp) 3 times, 4 dc in top popcorn, (hdc in next ch sp, hdc in next popcorn) 3 times; rep from * across to last half peak, 2 hdc in next popcorn, hdc in next ch sp, hdc in last popcorn, hdc in last ch sp, hdc in next dc, 2 dc in last dc.

And now it should be set up to continue with the pattern as written.

I’m kind of sorry to have it finished – but it’s also nice to add it to my summer decor.

But before I leave, I have to put in a quick word for my newest crochet pattern Sweet Cherries Potholder, which I just published in my Etsy shop. If you don’t have time to commit for a project as big as a crochet afghan, these are just perfect for a quick summery make, and just TOO cute in either style with beautiful Chunky Thread colors! Find the pattern here.