Step-by-step instructions on how to knit the waffle stitch knitting pattern for beginners – including a video.
The beautifully textured Waffle Stitch knitting pattern is probably one of the most popular stitches for beginners. While it looks fancy, it’s a simple 4-row repeat that only requires knit and purl stitches. In this tutorial, I am going to show you how to knit it.
With its raised columns of knit stitches, it certainly looks a lot like everyone’s favorite Belgian breakfast dish. Yummy! Sadly, it’s not entirely reversible but I do believe the wrong side looks quite nice as well. On top of that, it lies flat, so curling will be no issue and it’s actually quite a bit stretchy!
So, the Waffle Stitch can be a great knitting stitch pattern for a scarf or a baby blanket. Of course, advanced knitters may also knit it in the round and I’m going to include the instructions for that later on as well.
So, let’s dive right into it, eh?
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Instructions: How to knit the waffle stitch knitting pattern
The waffle stitch is an easy 4-row repeat of knit and purl stitches. You can knit it with any yarn and needle size but the pattern will greatly benefit from using a yarn that has a nice stitch definition (cotton, superwash, etc). Using a slightly smaller needle will also help to make the "waffles" pop. Here's the repeat
- Row 1: *k1, p2*, k1
- Row 2 : p1, *k2, p1*
- Row 3: knit
- Row 4: purl
Instructions
- Cast on multiples of 3 +1 using a longtail cast-on or the cast-on of your choice.
- Row 1 (Right Side): *knit 1, purl 2*, knit 1.
- Row 2 (Wrong Side): purl 1, *knit 2, purl 1*
- Row 3: knit across all stitches.
- Row 4: purl across all stitches.
- Repeat rows 1-4 over and over again to knit the waffle stitch pattern.
Notes
Experienced knitters might summarize the repeat as two rows in a 1x2 rib followed by 2 rows in stockinette stitch.
Once you understand the concept, you can create bigger waffles as well. For example, you could change the repeat to the following.
R1: *k1, p3*, k1
R2: p1, *k3,p1*
R3: *k1, p3*, k1
R4: knit
R5: purl
And the result would be waffles that are 3 stitches wide and not just two. You will have to adjust your cast-on accordingly, though. In this case, you'd have to cast on multiples of 4+1.
Waffle stitch in the round
Of course, you can also knit the waffle stitch knitting pattern in the round using double-pointed needles or circular needles. Maybe you want to knit a nice hat or a cowl? The repeat will be just as easy but you will have to adjust it slightly:
- Cast On: Multiples of 3 (so no additional stitch!)
- Row 1: *k1, p2*
- Row 2: *k1, p2*
- Row 3: Knit across
- Row 4: Knit across
The only problem, when knitting this pattern in the round, will be the jog at the beginning/end of every round. Since there will be one continuous column of knit stitches, it won’t be very visible at all.
But if it really bothers you, you could check out my tutorial on knitting jogless stripes. At the end of the day, the waffle stitch has quite a lot of structure, so it will not be very noticeable unless someone really scrutinizes your hat under a microscope. Personally speaking, I can totally live with it.
Anway, that’s how to knit the waffle stitch knitting pattern. Comment below in case you have any questions.
I make kitten blankets for a local cat rescue. This will be a perfect pattern. I like ones with a bit of texture since the kitties like it.
Thank you!
What stitch would I use to join waffle stitch squares in a blanket?
as the edgge is typically stockinette stitch, a standard mattress stitch could be an option. maybe add a selvage. you will have to graft the cast-on and bind-off seam together – depending on in which row you stop and start, this would be either a garter stitch or a stockinette stitch graft.
how many cast on stitches should I do for eight 54 x 54” blanket? Thank you so much for your consideration and answering this question.
I cannot tell you. you didn’T say anything about your yarn or your needles. And even if you did, I didn’t know your gauge. So…kindly knit a little swatch measure it and work it out with that!