Expert: Bea Harrell - 4/1/2008

Question
Hello
I'm trying to start a Baby afgahn that I found in a Leisure Arts Publication called Snuggle-Up Baby Afghans on page 11 called Ripples.

I have started this about 10 times and even contacted Leisure Arts for an explanation.

I'm doing something in Row 4 and Row 5 that just isn't right. I'm really confued on the beginning and ending row on Row 4.

So here is the pattern from row 4:
Ch 5 (counts as first tr plus ch 1) turn; (tr, ch1)( twice in same st, * +skip next hdc, (tr in next hdc, skip next hdc) 3 times, [YO twice, pull up a loop in next hdc, (YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, skip next hdc, YO twice, pull up a loop in next hdc, (YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook, skip next hdc, (tr in next hdc, skip next hdc) 3 times, (ch1,tr) 3 times in next hdc +, (tr,ch1) 3 times in next hdc; repeat from * 6 more times more, then repeat + to + once.
Row 5 : Ch 2, turn;hdc in first tr and in each ch and tr across to last tr, 2 hdc in last tr: 154 hdc.

I'm really having trouble on the ends on row 4. I usually crochet in the second stitch when turning to start new row. This is throwing me that these triples are down in the same stitch.

Also Row 5: I'm having trouble figuring out which is the first tr.

This is probably a very confusing description.

I can't believe I'm having such problems because I can usually figure out patterns.

Please help if you can! Will be quite anxious to hear from you!

I'm anzious to get started!

Thank You, Mindy

Answer
Ok, Mindy!  Row 4: So, ch 5, turn, then (tr, ch 1) twice, at the base of the ch 5. Now, you have 3 treble crochets (counting the ch 5)and 3 ch 1's. When you get to the end of row 4, you'll repeat from + to +, which is (tr, ch 1) 3 times. When you ch 2 and turn to start row 5, the first treble crochet is the last one you made on row 4.
I hope this is of some help!

Best Wishes,  Bea