How to Crochet the Waffle Stitch (Step by Step Tutorial)

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One of the best things about crocheting, besides making something amazing from a ball of string, is the amazing textures which can be achieved by combining stitches. The waffle stitch does not disappoint when it comes to texture!

If you have never crocheted this fun stitch, let’s learn it together. We will walk through how to crochet the waffle stitch with this step by step photo tutorial which also includes photos for left handers!

To master the waffle stitch, you need to know how to do regular double crochets, front post double crochets as well as the basics of chaining and turning your work.

Once you have it down, head over to the Crochet Waffle Stitch Dishcloth Pattern to make something lovely using the waffle stitch!

After that you’ll want to make sure you check out the Waffle Stitch Pattern Roundup the includes things like waffle stitch blankets, waffle stitch scarves, and waffle stitch bags. You’ll find enough crochet waffle stitch projects to keep you busy for a long time.

Don’t forget to pin this tutorial so you always know where to find it!

As you work your way through the tutorial below, up first are the written instructions without photos.

If you are experienced in reading patterns, you may not need to read further than the written instructions for the waffle stitch.

After the written instructions, you’ll find the start of the photo tutorial for right handers followed by the photo tutorial for left handers.

The instructions given for the photos are written in full sentences for those of you who may struggle to read crochet patterns.

At the end of each set of instructions, I’ve also included the abbreviated instructions like you would find in a crochet pattern. My hope is that seeing the full instructions next to the abbreviated instructions will help you grow in the skill of reading patterns!

You may notice, that besides the first row, I instruct to chain 2 to start a new row.  Most instructions for double crochet have you chaining 3 at the start of the row.  It is really a matter of preference whether you chain 2 or 3.

The point of the turning chain is to give you enough height to start the next row. I tend to crochet smaller and tighter so 2 chains are sufficient for me. You may want to experiment on a separate swatch and see what gives you the neatest edge.

Waffle Stitch Written Instructions

Abbreviations:

ch(s): chain(s)
dc(s): double crochet(s)
st(s): stitch(es)
fpdc(s): front post double crochet(s)

Instructions

Ch multiple of 3+2

Row 1: dc in 4 ch from hook and in each st across, turn.

Row 2: ch 2 (counts as 1st dc), *fpdc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, repeat from * until the last 2 sts; fpdc in next st, dc in top of ch, turn

Row 3: ch 2 (counts as 1st dc), *dc in next st, fpdc in the next 2 sts, repeat from *until the last 2 sts; dc in next st, dc in top of ch, turn

Repeat rows 2 and 3

How to Crochet the Waffle Stitch – Right Handed Photo Tutorial

To start, chain a multiple of 3 + 2. Double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook and double crochet in each stitch across, turn. (ch multiple of 3 +2; dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across, turn)  **Three chains will be used for starting the first row and will count as your first double crochet. I started with a chain of 17, which gave 15 stitches in the first row. If you start with a foundation dc, you’ll want a multiple of 3 for the first row.

Chain 2 to start row 2 – counts as first stitch. (ch 2, counts as 1st st)

Start the front post double crochet by inserting the hook from the front around the post of the next stitch below. (fpdc in next st)

Double crochet in the next 2 stitches. (dc in the next 2 sts)

Continue, repeating steps 3-5, until reaching the last 2 stitches of the row.

Front post double crochet in the next stitch followed by a double crochet in the top of the ch, turn. (fpdc, dc in top of ch, turn).

Chain 2 to start the 3rd row (counts as first stitch). (ch 2, counts as 1st st).

Double crochet in the next stitch. (dc in next st)  Don’t forget that the chain 2 counts as your first stitch so you do not double crochet in the stitch immediately below.

Front post double crochet around the next two stitches. (fpdc around the next two sts)

Continue repeating steps 8 and 9 until the last two stitches of the row.

Double crochet in the next stitch and double crochet in the top of the ch, turn. (dc in next st, dc top of ch, turn.)

When you turn your work around, you can already see the little boxes forming by the end of row 3.

Continue to repeat rows 2 and 3.

Waffle Stitch Tutorial – Left Handed Step by Step

To start, chain a multiple of 3 + 2. Double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook and double crochet in each stitch across, turn. (ch multiple of 3 +2; dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across, turn)

**Three chains will be used for starting the first row and will count as your first double crochet. I started with a chain of 17, which gave 15 stitches in the first row. If you start with a foundation dc, you’ll want a multiple of 3 for the first row. 

Chain 2 to start row 2 – counts as first stitch. (ch 2, counts as 1st st)

Start the front post double crochet by inserting the hook from the front around the post of the next stitch below. (fpdc in next st)

Double crochet in the next 2 stitches. (dc in the next 2 sts)

Continue, repeating steps 3-5, until reaching the last 2 stitches of the row.

Front post double crochet in the next stitch followed by a double crochet in the top of the ch, turn. (fpdc, dc in top of ch, turn).

Chain 2 to start the 3rd row (counts as first stitch). (ch 2, counts as 1st st). 

Double crochet in the next stitch. (dc in next st)  Don’t forget that the chain 2 counts as your first stitch so you do not double crochet in the stitch immediately below.

Front post double crochet around the next two stitches. (fpdc around the next two sts)

Continue repeating steps 8 and 9 until the last two stitches of the row.

Double crochet in the next stitch and double crochet in the top of the ch, turn. (dc in next st, dc top of ch, turn.)

When you turn your work around, you can already see the little boxes forming by the end of row 3. 

Continue to repeat rows 2 and 3.

Alright! Now you should be able to crochet the waffle stitch! Are you ready to practice it? Try the crochet waffle stitch dishcloth pattern and put your new stitch to use or head to the crochet waffle stitch pattern roundup post to see other projects where you can use this stitch.

Yarn used for the tutorial: Red Heart Strata which has been discontinued but can still be found on AMAZON! and my favorite Clover Amour Crochet hooks size N/P 10.0 mm.