Expert: Jessica Morris - 1/6/2008

Question
I e-mailed you about this same baby ripple on 12/04/2007. I'm still having problems.  So here are the instructions.  You can see what you think, I still think they are written wrong.  You first ch 233, place marker in second ch from hook for st placement. Row 1 (Right side): YO,insert hook in third ch from hook, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook, YO, insert hook in next ch, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook, ch 1, skip next 3 chs,(3 dc in next ch, ch 1, skip next 3 chs)3 times,(3dc,ch3,3dc)in next ch,*(ch 1,skip next 3chs,3dc in next ch)4 times, skip next 6 chs,(3dc in next ch,ch 1,skip next 3chs)4 times,(3dc,ch3,3dc)in next chain;repeat from*4 times MORE, ch 1, skip next 3chs,(3dc in next ch,ch 1, skip next 3chs) 3 times,work ending decrease: 54 sps. After I finished this row I only have 53 sps.  This is counting only the ch 3 and ch 6 spaces. Am I counting the spaces right?  The beginning of the second row is how you get the rounded look, instead of being straight, here is the second row instructions:  Row 2:  Ch 2, turn; (3dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1)4 times,(3dc,ch3,3dc) in next ch-3 sp,*(ch 1,3dc in next ch-1 sp)4 times, skip next 6 dc,(3dc in next ch-1 sp,ch 1)4 times, (3dc,ch3,3dc) in next ch-3 sp; repeat from* 4 times MORE,ch 1,(3dc in next ch-1sp,ch 1)3 times, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp,YO, insert hook in SAME sp,YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook, YO, skip next st, insert hook in next ch, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook. As you can see it makes no mention of working a ending, beginning, or anything else at the beginning of the row only at the end of the row. I'm I missing something somewhere?  Please help me with this as soon as you can, I'll be looking forward to hearing from you.  Jenny Golding

Answer
Hi Jenny,

I think I know what's going on. There are 54 sps. The first space is the 2ch gap at the first of the pattern where it tells you to place a marker for stitch placement. This marker is the stitch it is telling you to skip at the end of the 2nd row pattern. So at the end of the 2nd row pattern when it tells you to skip the next st and insert your hook in next ch, you place your hook between the beginning 2 dc cluster (YO,insert hook in third ch from hook, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook, YO, insert hook in next ch, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook) and the 2 ch you skipped at the beginning of the pattern. That's how I read it anyway. When I crocheted the rows, it came out flat on my ends. Try this and see if you notice a change. If not, please send me the complete instructions:

jessie_w15@hotmail.com

and we'll investigate it further. If this pattern gets to be too much of a headache, I have a similar pattern to this that I think will be great too. Good luck!

Jessica