How To Crochet Waffle Stitch - Beginner Step by Step EASY

The crochet waffle stitch is one of my all-time favorites. It is satisfying to work up, and it looks so good! It really is not difficult to do, and it creates a lovely solid fabric. It is thick, warm, and absorbent, so is ideal for making anything from cozy blankets to warm sweaters to crochet dishcloths or dish towels.

Waffle Stitch Pattern Tutorial

This waffle stitch tutorial will teach you how to crochet waffle stitches in rows as well as in the round. It also includes several variations for you to try.

What is Waffle Stitch?

The waffle stitch is a crochet pattern of 2 rows. When worked with the correct tension and gauge, this stitch looks just like the texture of breakfast waffles. This stitch does use a lot of yarn, so when choosing it to make something large, make sure that you have enough yarn to finish the project!

Skill Level for Waffle Stitch Patterns

Waffle stitch is suitable for confident beginners. If you can do a double crochet, you can do the waffle stitch pattern.

Supplies for Waffle Stitch Crochet Pattern

Here are the supplies you will need to complete your crochet waffle stitch

• Yarn - I used a worsted weight yarn for my samples.
• Crochet hook size which is suitable for the yarn you have chosen. A 5mm hook (US size H8) works well with worsted weight yarn.
• Scissors.
• Yarn or tapestry needle.

Abbreviations Used in Waffle Stitch

All instructions are written in US crochet terms.

• ch: chain stitch
• dc: double crochet
• fpdc: front post double crochet
• st(s): stitch(es)
• tr: treble crochet
• sk: skip
• sc: single crochet
• fptr: front post treble crochet
• sl st: slip stitch

Skills Needed for Waffle Crochet Stitch

There are 2 main skills you will need to make a waffle stitch in crochet. These are the double crochet stitch (dc) and a double crochet front post stitch (fpdc).

Skill #1 - How To Make A Double Crochet Stitch

Double crochet is written as dc on a pattern.

• Start with a slip knot and make a starting chain of, say, 13 stitches. (10 of these stitches form your foundation chain, and the other 3 are your turning stitches.)
• Wrap your yarn over the hook from back to front. (Written as yo)
• Insert the hook into the fourth chain from the hook.
• Wrap the yarn over the hook again.
• Draw this loop through the chain stitch and up onto the hook. (3 loops on your hook.)
• Bring the yarn over from back to front again, and draw this loop through only the first 2 loops on the hook. (2 loops on your hook)
• Wrap the yarn over again and draw it through the last two loops on your hook.

Your double crochet stitch is now complete. One loop remains on the hook.

• Now wrap the yarn over again, insert the hook into the next chain , and repeat.

Skill #2 - How to Work a Front Post Double Crochet

Post stitches are used to make raised patterns. They are similar to traditional crochet stitches; you just work the stitch around the post of the stitch in the previous row rather than at the top of the stitch.

What is a front post? The post is the long vertical part of your crochet stitch or the part which gives the stitch its height.

• Start by crocheting the first row of double crochet as you normally would.

• Yarn over your hook.
• Insert your hook through your work from front to back, so that the post you want to crochet around is in front of your hook.

So where you would normally work into the top two loops of the stitch below, when working a post stitch you work into the ‘post’ or the tall vertical part of the stitch in the previous row. It really is easy once you give it a try!

• Yarn over once more and pull through. There will be three loops on your hook at this point, exactly as there would be in a conventional double crochet.
• Yarn over and draw through the first two of the three loops on the hook as usual with your double crochet stitch.
• Yarn over and pull through the hook's remaining two loops.

That's all there is to it; a double crochet around the front of the post.

How to Crochet Waffle Stitch Step by Step

Here is your free crochet pattern for the waffle stitch:

Work a small sample swatch to get the feel of this stitch, (say just 14 stitches) then try making a dishcloth or washcloth. To do this, just make a square of waffle stitch the size you would like, then work all the way around the edges with single crochet.

Troubleshooting with Waffle Stitch

The most common problem when working with waffle stitch is that your piece becomes narrower as you progress.

The usual cause of the piece narrowing is skipping a stitch at the beginning of the row. To avoid missing a stitch, place a marker in the first and end stitches of the row. In this situation, your chain 2 at the start of the row counts as a dc and is what you would record as the first stitch of the row. It's referred to as the turning chain.

Know how many stitches, to begin with, then count each row as you finish it to ensure the count is correct. You may not want to keep counting all the way through your work, but it's the only way to ensure you're not missing any stitches. Also, "stop frequently to appreciate your work" is always a good idea—you'll spot errors before they get too serious.

The other problem commonly mentioned is that the texture is not looking like a breakfast waffle. If this happens to you, it is probably a tension issue. Try using a different-sized crochet hook, or changing to a different yarn.

Variations on the Waffle Stitch Crochet

Once you get an idea of how this stitch works, you can try working on different versions of it.

1. How to Crochet Waffle Stitch in the Round

This is sort of like making a granny square waffle stitch. Although it is described as in the round, you will be making a square. The round means that you are working around the square instead of working back and forth in rows.

• Repeat rounds 5 and 6 until square is the desired size.

2. Mini Waffle Stitch

The mini waffle stitch is created in exactly the same way as the waffle stitch, but every time you would use a dc, you substitute that for a half double crochet.

3. Double Waffle Stitch

• Chain a multiple of 4 plus 2.
• Row 1: 1 dc in the fourth chain from the hook, 1 dc across the row, turn
• Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as first dc here and throughout), fpdc in next two stitches, *dc in next two stitches, fpdc in next two stitches; rep from * across the row to the end, 1 dc in last stitch (top of start. ch), turn.
• Row 3: Ch 2, dc in the next two stitches, *fpdc in the next two stitches, dc in the next two stitches; rep from * across the row, 1 dc in the last stitch (top of starting ch), turn.
• Repeat rows 2 and 3.

You will see that for this variation you will be fpdc 2 stitches instead of 1, for each pattern repeat.

4. Diamond Waffle Stitch

Waffle Stitch FAQs

What can you make with crochet waffle stitch?

One of the most common uses is waffle stitch blankets, scarves, crochet and dishcloths. Anything crocheted from waffle stitch will be textured and warm.

Is waffle stitch a yarn eater?

Yes, waffle stitch is definitely a yarn eater! There are other stitches that are denser and use more yarn, but it does use more than your basic stitches.

How to Crochet Waffle Stitch - In Conclusion

Whichever version of crochet waffle stitch you decide to try, you will end up with a lovely thick, reversible fabric. Give this interesting stitch a try, and you will soon be addicted to working on it!

It's an excellent stitch for dishcloths, washcloths, pillows, and crochet baby blankets. If you like amigurumi (cute crochet toys), you may want to try this technique to make some realistic waffles. Have fun with it, whatever you decide to make!

More Free Patterns for Stitches