Knitted Waffle Stitch: Tutorials, Instructions and Free Pattern

Knitted Waffle Stitch    by Janice Jones     |Updated 01-24-2024

Here another tremendously simple beginner stitch that creates a fabric with bumps that looks like tasty waffles.  What do you think?

You might mistake this for a  rib stitch because it involves making a pattern of knit and crochet stitches.

What's so Great About the Knitted Waffle Stitch? 

• It's stretchy

• It lies flat, so it's perfect by itself for projects requiring flat surfaces.

• It's easy to do, so perfect for beginners.

• The pattern is easy to memorize and remember

• It’s not frilly and more of a unisex design so it works for both his and hers projects
• The wrong side looks fine, too, even though the fabric is not exactly reversible.
  

Uses for the Knitted Waffle Stitch

This stitch lies flat, so you won't need to worry about creating a border around it.  It can be used for various projects, including washcloths, table placemats, even make-up remover pads. 

If you want a bigger project, why not consider a scarf, cowl, a mug cozy, or even a hat.  This pattern also makes an excellent choice of fingerless mittens.

Skills Needed to Make the Waffle Stitch

Is this stitch beginner friendly? Absolutely.  There are only a couple of skills needed to create this beautiful pattern

• How to make a knit stitch
• How to make a purl stitch
• How to cast on
• How to bind off

Abbreviations Used

K - Knit

P - Purl

CO - Cast on

BO - Bind off

RS - Right side

WS - Wrong side

Notes about the Knitted Waffle Stitch

• Worked in multiples of 3 plus 1
• Four-row repeat
• Instructions use US terms.
• This pattern creates a fabric that lays flat by itself, but if you want to add a border to create an interesting design, may I suggest you add a couple of rows of the garter at the beginning and end of your project.   Add an additional four stitches when you cast on the required number of stitches for your project.  Make the first two and last two stitches in the garter stitch to complement your beginning and ending rows.
• The seed stitch also provides an interesting border.

Waffle Stitch Pattern Instructions

The perfect beginner knit pattern; requires that the beginner know how to knit and purl; that's all!

Cast on:  Multiples of 3 stitches plus one, so a typical scarf pattern would require 36 plus one or 37 stitches.

If you would prefer to knit a sample first, cast on a sample of 13, 16, 19, or 22 stitches.

CO a multiple of 3 +1 

Row 1 (RS): *K1, p2; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 2: *P1, k2; rep from * to last st, p1.

Row 3: Knit all stitches

Row 4: Purl all stitches

Repeat those 4 rows to the length that you desire! These four rows complete the waffle pattern. Afterwards, bind off and weave in ends

Understanding Knit Charts

This is an easy pattern so written instructions is likely all you need.  However, if you want to learn more about knitting charts, I have provided one below. 

Remember to begin at the lower right hand corner and work across from right to left.  Move forwarded to row 2 just above the first row and work left to right.

Pin for Future Reference

FREE:  Makeup Removal Pads PatternWorked in the Knitted Waffle Stitch

Materials Needed

• For this project, I chose a very soft 100% Cotton Yarn, I love this Cotton from Hobby Lobby. It is a number 4 worsted weight yarn. You can make quite a few make up removal pads from the 3.5 ounce (100 g) skein or buy a couple of different colors and mix and match.
• Number 7 knitting needles (4.5 mm).
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Directions

Cast on 19 stitches

Row 1: (WS) Knit 1, * Purl 2, Knit 1, repeat from * to end

Row 2: P1, *K2, P1 rep from * to end

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: Purl

Continue creating the pattern until your piece is a square.  End with working one more Row 1 and Row 2.  Bind off and weave in ends.

Knitted Waffle Stitch Hat Pattern

I found this pattern on Ravelry and it appears to be a very beginner-friendly design.  

Do You Love This Stitch

Have you created an lovely object using the Knit Waffle Stitch?  Would you care to share your inspiration and creativity with other Smart-Knit-Crocheting visitors?  Great.  We would love to hear about your ideas.

Author Bio

I learned to knit and crochet at a very young age but didn’t get serious until obtaining this site in 2021. Since then, I haven’t stopped creating and learning and now I’m a certified knitting and crocheting instructor through the Yarn Craft Council.

I’m retired and live with my husband and nine Shih Tzu dogs. My three adult children help in various roles. You might see Beth modeling some of my creations. Aaron is my technical advisor and Nick tackles accounting.

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Disclosure:   This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase from one of these links I will get a small  commission.

Hi, there, I'm Janice, the voice behind this website and avid knitter and crochet enthusiast. I want to share my passion with you and help you learn how to knit or crochet, smarter.

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