What Is the Double Waffle Stitch?
The double waffle stitch is a heavily textured, squishy crochet stitch pattern that builds on the simpler waffle stitch. Where the basic waffle stitch alternates front post stitches with plain stitches, the double waffle version uses sets of three front post double crochet (FPdc) stitches alternated with plain double crochets, repeated over a two-row pattern. The result is a deep, three-dimensional, grid-like texture that resembles a waffle, and it’s a popular choice for blankets and other cozy accessories where texture is the main appeal.
Stitches and Abbreviations You’ll Need
- Ch: Chain
- Dc: Double crochet (US terms used throughout this article)
- FPdc: Front post double crochet
- St(s): Stitch(es)
Quick Refresher: Working a Regular Double Crochet
Since front post double crochet builds on the regular double crochet motion, it helps to be comfortable with that stitch first: yarn over, insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain), then yarn over again and pull through the final 2 loops. A front post double crochet uses the same yarn-over-and-pull-through sequence, but instead of inserting your hook into the top of the stitch below, you insert it from front to back around the post (the vertical body) of the stitch, which is what creates the raised, textured effect.
How to Crochet the Double Waffle Stitch, Step by Step
The row-by-row structure below reflects a version of this stitch that appears consistently across several widely published tutorials. As with most textured stitch patterns, exact row counts for a finished project (like a full-size blanket) will vary by designer and yarn weight, so treat the chain count here as a swatch-level starting point rather than a fixed project size.
Foundation Chain
Chain a multiple of 5, plus 2 extra chains, to allow for the repeating pattern plus edge stitches.
Setup Row
Work 1 dc in the 3rd chain from the hook, then 1 dc in each chain across. Turn.
Row 2
Chain 2 (this does not count as a stitch here), then work 1 dc in the first stitch. Work 1 FPdc around each of the next 3 stitches, then 1 dc in each of the next 2 stitches; repeat this sequence across the row until 4 stitches remain, then work 1 FPdc around each of the next 3 stitches and 1 dc in the last stitch. Turn.
Row 3 (Repeat With Row 2)
Chain 2, then work 1 dc in the first stitch. Work 1 dc in each of the next 3 stitches, then 1 FPdc around each of the next 2 stitches; repeat this sequence across the row until 4 stitches remain, then work 1 dc in each of the last 4 stitches. Turn.
Continue repeating Row 2 and Row 3 for the length of your project.
Is Double Waffle Stitch a Yarn Eater?
Stitch patterns that use a lot of front post stitches and build up a thick, three-dimensional texture — like the double waffle stitch — generally use more yarn per square inch than flatter stitches such as single or regular double crochet, since the front post stitches wrap further around the fabric and add bulk. If you’re yardage-planning a project, it’s worth budgeting more yarn than you would for a plain stitch pattern of the same finished size, though this article won’t give a specific multiplier, since that depends heavily on your yarn weight and tension.
If you’re building texture-heavy projects like this one, it’s also worth reading up on blocking once your piece is finished, since heavily textured stitches can sometimes benefit from a light block to even out the fabric.
FAQ
How do you crochet waffle stitch step by step? The basic waffle stitch alternates front post stitches with plain stitches across a repeat; the double waffle stitch builds on this by using groups of three front post double crochets alternated with plain double crochets over a two-row repeat.
Is the waffle stitch a yarn eater? Textured stitches that rely on front post stitches, including the waffle and double waffle stitch, generally use more yarn than flatter stitches of the same size, due to the extra wrapping and bulk.
What is the hardest crochet stitch in the world? There’s no single agreed-upon answer. Difficulty is relative to the crocheter, though heavily textured, multi-step stitches like the double waffle stitch are more involved than basic stitches.
How do you do a double crochet stitch step by step? Yarn over, insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops, then yarn over and pull through the remaining 2 loops.