Waffle Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 4 - Out-There Textures

Day 2 - Waffle Stitch 

If you can double crochet and front post double crochet, this stitch will be an absolute breeze! It looks much more complicated than it is, and the resulting fabric is dense, squishy, and incredibly warm. It's great for warm hats and scarves, but keep in mind that the fabric is not reversible. The back side looks neat - like stacked columns, but only the front side has the distinctive waffle pattern.

This stitch works up really quickly, so if you have lots of gifts to make, get cracking on them with the Waffle Stitch!

What it's good for:

• Scarves/cowls
• Hats
• Blankets/afghans
• Pillow Covers 
• Bags/totes

 

Alternate Names: 

• There is a variation on this stitch, the Double Waffle Stitch, that has two vertical ridges next to each other, but I haven't found any other names for this basic Waffle Stitch.

 

Remember to upload your projects to Instagram. Tag me @theivykillerscrochet and use hashtag #newcrochetstitchperday for a feature on my feed!

Supplies Used for this Swatch:

• Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease, color 151 (gray heather)

• Hook: USH8/5.00mm 

 

Techniques Used and Abbreviations:

(All instructions are given in US terms. UK terms are given here for reference) 
Stitch (st)
Stitches (sts)
Chain (ch)
Double Crochet / UK Treble Crochet (hdc) 
Front Post Double Crochet / UK Front Post Treble Crochet (fpdc)

Stitch Instructions:

For each tutorial I'll include instructions written out long-form for intro-level crocheters and short-form for more advanced crocheters. The instructions are the same but include different levels of detail. Use whichever you prefer!

Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc): Yarn over and insert hook around the post of the next stitch from front to back to front. Yarn over and pull through. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Yarn over and pull through the final 2 loops.

 

Intro-Level

Chain a multiple of 3, then chain 2.
  
Row 1: dc in the 4th chain from the hook (the 3 skipped chains count as a dc). dc in each chain across.

Row 2: Turn and ch3. fpdc around the next dc (remember that the ch3 counts as the 1st st, so you're working your fpdc around the 2nd st of the row).

*dc, 2fpdc*

Repeat from * to * until you reach the end of the row. Work a dc into the top of the turning ch.

Row 3: Turn and ch 3 (counts as a dc). dc in next 2 sts.

*fpdc, 2dc*

Repeat from * to * until you reach the end of the row, working your final dc into the top of the turning ch.


Repeat Rows 2-3 until desired size is reached.

Advanced

Chain a multiple of 3+ 2.

Row 1: dc in 4th ch and across.

Row 2: Turn and ch3. fpdc, *dc, 2fpdc* Repeat from * to * across. dc in top of turning ch.

Row 3: Turn and ch3, 2dc, *fpdc, 2dc* Repeat from * to * across and work final dc in top of turning ch.

Repeat Rows 2-3 until desired size is reached.

Tips and Modifications:

• Looking back, I would modify the pattern by starting with 1 less foundation chain and turning chains of 2 instead of 3. It would have created a straighter edge.

 

Helpful Links:

• Video Tutorial by Hopeful Honey
• Chart by Knit-Together (but keep in mind that in their chart they have an extra chain in the foundation row. Don't let that throw you - just chain your multiple of 3 + 2 and put your first dc in the 4th ch)