Medicine Wheel Ripple Afghan Free Crochet Pattern

I have not found many crochet patterns that have a Native American look so I created my own pattern which I have called the Medicine Wheel Ripple Afghan. This article will give you the pattern for free so that you can crochet it if you like and also explain the symbolism that I incorporated into the design.

My paternal Grandmother who everyone called Granny taught me to crochet several decades ago. My Native American heritage comes from her, so it is only fitting that I design an afghan that she would be proud of if she were still with us.

The Medicine Wheel is a part of many Tribal Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples who are a part of North America. The Wheel has four main sections that represent the 4 Winds or directions with a color that is associated with each section. So, I chose the four colors of the Medicine Wheel to work into my design along with an additional color that to me is significant.

• Yellow is the color associated with the East Wind in the Medicine Wheel. In the East we learn that all things are possible. It is a place for new beginnings.
• Red is the color associated with the South Wind. We learn about love and relationships while in this direction. Self assurance and acceptance are important lessons to reflect on.
• Black is the color associated with the West Wind in the Medicine Wheel. Much like the Autumn of our lives we learn about the strength gained while we discovered our inner selves and it is a time of stability.
• White is the color associated with the North Wind. Much like winter the North Wind is a time of endings and beginnings. It is a direction that teaches us to accept life, accept death, and to share our knowledge with others.

Turquoise is not a color in the Medicine Wheel but I chose it for my Ripple Afghan design to use as my dividing color. It is the color that is often associated with Father Sky where the winds blow. I thought it fitting to portray the traveling of the winds to another direction.

The yellow yarn that I found is called "Cornmeal" which just seemed so appropriate for my afghan pattern. Corn or Maize was a very important food source for many Native Americans.

Crochet Hook size I

Color A = Black

Color B = Turquoise

Color C = White

Color D = Yellow

Color E = Red

You will need approximately 14 ounces of each color for the afghan. I chose to use Red Heart's Super Saver skeins in Black, Turqua, White, Cornmeal, and Cherry Red.

ROW 1: With Color A chain 252, work 1 sc in the 2nd stitch from your hook, 1 sc in next 12 stitches of the chain * 3 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 13 sts, skip 1 stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 13 stitches, repeat from * 7 times, 3 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in eacho of the next 13 sts, ch 1 and turn.

ROW 2: Work in the back loop of the stitches for this row. 1 sc in the next stitch, skip 1 sc, 1 sc in next 12 stitches, * 3 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 13 stitches, skip next 2 stitches, 1 sc in next 13 stitches, repeat from * 7 times, 3 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 12 stitches, skip 1 stitch, 1 sc in last stitch, chain 1 and turn.

You will repeat ROW 2 for the rest of this afghan pattern.

Work 4 more rows of Color A, 2 rows of Color B, 6 rows of Color C, 2 rows of Color B, 6 rows of Color D, 2 rows of Color B, 6 rows of Color E, 2 rows of Color B, 6 rows of Color A. This will give you the color pattern to continue with. Repeat this color pattern 6 more times. You will end with Color A.

You can give your Medicine Wheel Ripple Afghan a finished look by working a single crochet stitch around all edges.