Need help with this pattern instruction?

[Skylar Taylor]

So I'm making an afghan blanket, and for row one it says "...work 3 st dec in next 3 ch," does that mean do the stitch 3 times or just once? I know how to do the stitch.

http://www.handcraftingwithlove.net/yarn... 

Thanks!

[redrosesdz]

A decrease is worked in multiple stitches.  The pattern says that you're doing a dc decrease.  A 3 stitch decrease means to work a decrease in the next 3 stitches ...

 

Stitch 1. dc, except the last step (2 loops on hook)

Stitch 2. dc, except the last step (3 loops on hook)

Stitch 3. dc, except the last step (4 loops on hook), yo and pull through all 4 loops

 

Ripples are sometimes referred to as "going up and down the hill."  A decrease is always at the "bottom of the hill."  Then you work up the hill doing a dc in each stitch.  When you read the "top of the hill", you'll do your increase, which is just multiple stitches in the same stitch.  In your pattern, it'll be 3 stitches at the top.  Finally, you'll work down the hill to the next decrease.

 

I see that your pattern started with an increase, so you went up the hill, did an increase, and down the hill.  Now you're ready for the decrease.

 

By the way, the secret to ripples is counting.  Make sure that you have the same number of stitches on each side of the hill and that your increases and decreases line up.  Also, make sure at the end of each row that you have the same number of increases as the previous row.  Make sure that you always start a row in the 2nd stitch, counting your turning chain as the first stitch.  If you don't, ripple afghans have a tendency to grow wide and all you can do then is rip it out and start over.

[Skylar Taylor]

@redrosesdz: Thank you SO much. I have to start the row over but at least I know what to do now!

[LI Roe]

That is one of my favorite go to ripples. Works up very easily and looks great.

 

Roe