Jacob's Ladder - New Question

[deanna6812]

I have loved the look of a Jacob's Ladder afghan forever, and finally looked into making one, and realize that it's really not too hard!  I've found two patterns that are extremely similar on Ravelry:

 

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/jacob.html and http://www.freewebs.com/bethintx/jacobsladderafghan.htm

 

I don't understand the base row for both of these patterns, as it seems that the first group of dcs is going to be only 9 (including the ch. 2 counting as a dc), but as the pattern goes on, it seems as though you're supposed to have 10 dc and 10 ch across the whole thing?

 

What am I missing?

 

Thanks!

[deanna6812]

And I just re-read the pattern and realize that I was completely misreading both of them.  It tells you to DC in 3rd ch from stitch and next 8, which would be 1+1+8, which does make 10.  Mystery solved....duh!

[deanna6812]

All right....another question that is not just me misreading the pattern this time!  I've gone with the pattern here: http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/jacob.html  and I see that it's telling me in the last row to only ch 6 between groups of 10 dc.  Is that only to avoid having a big loop at the top of the piece?  Is this the best way to finish this pattern?

Thanks in advance!

[sahm2g1b]

Yes, this is correct. I recently made one for a dear friend (but forgot to take a pic) .

[Granny Square]

Yes, fewer chains at the top closes the ladder chain nicely.  You might try chaining up a column before you get to the end and experiment a little- it's been a while, it seems to me I liked the look of only 2-3 chains on the end row. 

[deanna6812]

Great - thanks!  I have seen a pattern where it called for the ch 10 all the way to the top, and I can see how that would pose a problem.  I will experiment when I start my last row (still a while to go, since I think I'm only on row 10 at this point...hahaha).

[deanna6812]

Just curious - has anybody modified this pattern to do either sc or hdc for a thicker/warmer blanket?  I'm just thinking ahead to future projects, since I really love this pattern!

[RoseRed]

I haven't but you would just put in a few less chains for the shorter stitches.

[Michiganirish]

I also have made several jacobs ladder afghan including round as well. After finisging the last row i like to also add a crab stitch finish. Good luck youwill love this pattern