Knitting Bee

Free Ripple Stitch Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns

Browse 12+ free ripple stitch baby blanket knitting patterns featuring waves, chevrons, zigzags and colourful repeating designs.

Ripple patterns are a lovely choice for baby blankets because the simple rises and dips create plenty of movement across the fabric. They can look striking knitted in a single colour, but they’re especially effective for stripes, rainbow palettes and colour-changing yarns.

Find the Right Ripple Baby Blanket

  • For classic ripples: Look for repeating wave patterns with gentle peaks and valleys.
  • For sharper definition: Choose a chevron or zigzag blanket with more pronounced points.
  • For colourful knitting: Striped and rainbow ripple patterns make it easy to combine several shades.
  • For softer waves: Feather-and-fan patterns create a more delicate, flowing effect.
  • For an easy project: Look for a repeating ripple pattern that becomes intuitive once you’ve worked the first few rows.

Ripple, Chevron or Wave – What’s the Difference?

These terms are often used for similar styles of knitted blankets.

Ripple patterns generally create repeated peaks and valleys across the knitting. Chevron patterns tend to have sharper, more defined points, while wave patterns usually have a softer, more flowing appearance.

The effect is created through increases and decreases placed at regular intervals across the row.

Are Ripple Baby Blankets Difficult to Knit?

Many ripple blankets are surprisingly straightforward once you understand the repeat.

The most important part is keeping track of the increases and decreases that form each peak and valley. Stitch markers can be helpful with longer rows, particularly while you’re becoming familiar with the pattern.

If you’re a newer knitter, start with a simple repeating ripple or chevron rather than a design combining several stitch techniques.

Choosing Colours for a Ripple Baby Blanket

Ripple patterns are particularly suited to stripes because the colour changes emphasise the shape of each wave.

Try alternating two colours for a simple graphic effect, using several coordinating shades for broader stripes, or choosing a self-striping yarn for colour changes without repeatedly joining new yarn.

A single-colour ripple blanket can be just as effective when you want the knitted texture to be the main feature.

More Free Baby Blanket Patterns

See the complete collection of Free Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns, with easy, lace, cable, garter stitch, colourwork and textured designs.

For something simpler, explore Easy Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns.