Crochet Waffle Stitch Blanket for Baby
Crochet this thick cozy blanket for the new little one. The waffle stitch is fun to work and repetitive making it a good project for on the go or while watching your favorite movie. The blanket is worked in rows with double crochet and front post double crochet, a single crochet border provides a neat and tidy edging. The Yarnspirations BERNAT Strada Yarn is easy to work with and easy to care for. A soft warm hug in a blanket for baby! Please enjoy this free pattern.
Inspiration —
I had been wanting to create something with the waffle stitch for quite some time. When I received the news that a previous neighbor was expecting her first child, I immediately wanted to create something modern, cozy, and very special. An image of a thick gray baby blanket popped into my head and so the crochet waffle stitch baby blanket was born! I could not be happier with the finished project! I was proud to present this special gift.
Design —
Once you get the hang of the waffle stitch, this blanket works up quickly. Front post double crochets and double crochets create the effect of squares. The pattern is repetitive—just two rows—making it a good project for on the go or while binging your latest Netflix series.
A simple single crochet border makes the squares pop and highlights the special stitches. It’s fun to create cute little squares as you work. I swear I could smell maple syrup when working up those little waffles.
Selling Points —
It’s thick. It’s cozy. It’s a soft warm hug in a blanket.
Yarn —
Everyone who creates with yarn knows the thrill of walking through the aisles, browsing for the perfect yarn for a baby blanket! I was drawn to the Dove Gray color in the Yarnspirations BERNAT Strada Yarn. It is so modern looking with a hint of white running through it. It was a pleasure to work with, minimal to no splitting. Being machine washable makes it ideal for baby’s blankie. Any medium-weight yarn should do nicely for this project. Even though this yarn has some structure, this project would look equally as attractive with a less structured, more drapey yarn.
There are so many ways to join yarn, I choose the method based on the type of yarn and the weight of the project. Because this project has some bulk when worked, I joined a new skein of yarn by overlapping the 2 strands of yarn for a couple of stitches. Overlap the yarn strands when you have 4 to 6 inches of yarn remaining. Work a couple of stitches with both yarns and then snip the short ends—no weaving in ends!
Pointers —
Steam blocking—I had some slight ruffling along one edge of the finished blanket, so decided to steam block the project to create straight, even edges. There are many techniques to blocking a project, but I prefer steam blocking if the yarn is all acrylic. Very important! Never let the iron touch the acrylic yarn. (Doing so melts the fibers and fuses them together and you lose the texture of the yarn.)
Evenly spread blanket on blocking mats (you can also use an old towel or yoga mat), making sure edges are straight and even, and pin in place with blocking pins or T-pins. Steam with your iron or steamer 2 to 3 inches from the blanket. Repeat if needed and adjust edges as needed with your fingers—being careful not to burn them on the steam. Let dry completely, I usually leave it pinned in place for a full day. When you remove the pins, the project should stay in place. If the project pulls or bounces, pin, steam and let dry again.
I did splurge on a complete blocking kit that has everything needed—interlocking foam blocks, three different pin types, and flexible measuring tape—all in a handy carrying bag. The blocks have lines in one-inch increments for easy arranging and measuring, as well as a circle pattern. I have not come across a more complete kit! You can also use old towels or a yoga mat.
Pattern
CROCHET | SKILL LEVEL: Easy
SIZE
Approx 34.5 x 40.5 inches
MATERIALS
Yarnspirations BERNAT Strada Yarn (100% Acrylic, 617 yds, weight: 4/Medium) – 3 skeins Dove Gray
Size J-10 (6 mm) hook or size needed to obtain gauge
ABBREVIATIONS
ch = ch
dc = double crochet
fpdc – front post double crochet
rep = repeat
RS = right side
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
Pattern uses U.S. crochet terms.
GAUGE
15 sts x 9 rows on J-10 (6 mm) hook in waffle pattern = 4 inches
[PATTERN NOTE: 4 inches in waffle stitch uses 640 inches of yarn–18 yards]
NOTES
Project is worked in a pattern of fpdc and dc to create a waffle weave worked in rows and turning work after each row. Turn work clockwise for consistency and to keep working yarn behind your work. A border is then worked on RS only, joining rounds.
[PATTERN NOTE: to make a larger size, start with a longer beg ch, the beg ch should be in multiples of 3 + 2]
INSTRUCTIONS
ch 137
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook (ch-3 counts as first dc) and in each ch across, turn. (135)
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc), [fpdc in next st, dc in next 2 sts] rep until the last 2 sts, fpdc in next st, dc in top of ch-3, turn. (135)
Row 3: ch 3 (counts as first dc), [dc in next st, fpdc in next 2 sts] rep until the last 2 sts, dc in next st, dc in top of ch-3, turn. (135)
Rows 4-102: rep rows 2 and 3, ending with a row 2. (135)
Do not fasten off.
Work border:
Work border on RS only, join rounds.
POINTER: More important than stitch count here is that you create an even border. I worked 3 sc along each waffle square edge, adjust as needed for an evenly spaced border.
Row 1: ch 1, 3 sc in corner, sc evenly around blanket edges working 3 sc in each corner, join with sl st to first sc. (580)
Row 2: ch 1, sc in same st and in each sc around working 3 sc in each corner, join with sl st to first sc. (588)
Row 3: rep row 2. (596)
Row 4: rep row 2. (604)
Fasten off.
FINISHING
Weave in ends. Steam block if needed.
CARE
Machine wash in cool water and dry on low heat.
If you’re looking for another easy, fun project worked in rows, you might also like the Sun & Splash Rug.
