Waffle Stitch Granny Square
Get the eggs and bacon ready because it’s waffle stitch time! You’d be hard pressed (get it, waffle… pressed?) to find a granny square more textured than this one! Thanks to the front post double crochets (fpdc) that we use in this square, we create a cool, geometric pattern of deep squares just like a waffle!
That makes this square unique because one granny square is a finished project, all by itself! It can be a wash cloth, a face scrubbie, a trivet or pot holder… that’s a lot of project power for one little pattern. It, of course, can also be combined with other squares into a lovely blanket.
Another thing I saw the other day was a little “booklet” of textured squares sewn together to make a baby sensory toy. They can turn the little “pages” and reveal a new crochet texture. I think this square would be perfect for something like that!
Skill Level
Beginner — This square uses basic stitches but gives you some good practice with the beginner friendly technique of “post crochet.” You will insert your hook behind and around the double crochet post, rather than into the top of the stitch, to create a front post double crochet several times throughout the square.
Stitch Abbreviations Used in the Pattern (U.S. Terms)
| Abbreviation | Stitch Name |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| dc | double crochet |
| fpdc | front post double crochet – yarn over, insert hook to the right of the next double crochet post, weave hook around the post and pop your hook out to the left of the post. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Complete a double crochet, essentially making a double crochet around the top of the stitch below, causing it to pop out on the front of the work (hence, “front post double crochet”). |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| sp | space |
| rep | repeat |
| prev | previous |
| rnd | round |
Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc) Demo:
What You’ll Need
- Yarn: Any weight yarn you love – Cotton is a good idea for this pattern because then you can use your square right away as a wash cloth or pot holder!
- Hook: Use a hook that is comfortable to work with the yarn you chose. Going up half a size might make this pattern a bit easier to pull off. I used a 5.5 mm hook with my worsted weight cotton yarn.
- Notions: Scissors, maple syrup and a side of sausage
Gauge & Size
Gauge is up to you and your yarn and hook size. After 5 rounds, my square was 4.5″ wide. After 7 rounds, it was 6″ wide.
Pattern Notes
- We turn our work every round but sometimes you will need to slip stitch over to a corner space before doing so. Pay close attention to this in the pattern.
- Starting chain 3’s will count as stitches. Sometimes you will chain 1 to turn and that doesn’t count as a stitch.
- Even rounds are “wrong side” and odd rounds are “right side.”
To begin
Ch4 and sl st to the first chain to create a ch4 ring
Round 1
Ch3 (counts as 1dc) and make another dc into the ch4 ring. *Ch1, 2dc into the ring* rep between ** until you have 8dcs then, ch1 and sl st to the top of your starting ch3 to complete the rnd,
Round 2
Ch1, turn your work and sl st into the nearest ch1 space.
Ch4 (counts as 1dc and ch1) and make 1dc into the ch1 sp. Make 1fpdc around each of the next two dcs from the prev row. Into the next ch1 sp, make 1dc, ch1, 1dc.
Continue making fpdc around each dc from prev rnd and 1dc, ch1, 1dc in each corner space. Sl st to the third chain of your starting ch4 to complete the rnd.
Round 3
Before turning, sl st into the ch1 sp. Ch3 (counts as 1dc) and turn. Make 1dc into the ch1 sp. Ch1, 2dc into the same ch1 sp.
1fpdc around next dc. Make 1dc in each of the next two sts from the prev round. 1fpdc around dc before ch sp. Into the next ch1 sp, work 2dc, ch1, 2dc.
Continue working 1fpdc around the dc next to the ch1 sps, work dc 2 across the center 2dcs, and work 2dc, ch1, 2dc into the ch1 sps. After you work your final fpdc, sl st to the top of your starting ch3 to complete the rnd.
Round 4
Before turning, sl st twice to get to the nearest ch sp. Ch3 (counts as 1dc) and turn. Make 1fpdc around each of the next two dcs. *Work 1dc into the next dc. Work 1fpdc around each of the next two dcs.* Repeat between ** until the ch sp. Into the next ch1 sp, work 1dc, ch1, 1dc.
Starting with fpdc 2, continue to alternate fpdc 2, dc 1, between ch1 spaces. Working 1dc, ch1, 1dc into the corner chain spaces.
End with 1dc into the final ch sp, ch1 and sl st to the top of your starting ch3 to complete the rnd.
Round 5
ch1, turn and sl st into the nearest ch sp. ch3 (counts as 1dc) Make 1dc into the ch1 sp. Ch1, 2dc into the same ch1 sp. 1fpdc around the next dc.
*Make 1dc in each of the next two sts from the prev round. 1fpdc around the next dc.* Rep between ** until you reach the next ch1 corner space. Into the next ch1 sp, work 2dc, ch1, 2dc.
To continue, work 1fpdc around the first dc after the corner, repeat *dc 2, 1fpdc* up to the next corner, and work 2dc, ch1, 2dc into the ch1 sps.
After you work your final fpdc, sl st to the top of your starting ch3 to complete the rnd.
To grow your square, repeat rounds 4 and 5
End after completing an odd numbered row to end with a complete waffle square sequence.
Waffle You Waiting For?
Enjoy making your own Waffle Granny Square! Whether you kept it as a standalone washcloth, gifted it as a little pot holder, or added it to a growing stack of squares destined for a blanket, this one is truly a pattern that punches above its weight.
If this was your first time working front post crochet stitches, give yourself a pat on the back, because that is a skill that will open up a whole new world of texture in your crochet journey. And if you are a seasoned crocheter, I hope this little square gave your hooks a fun workout!
I would love to see what you made to get some ideas myself! Make sure to tag @grannysquarefair on insta so we can share. And if you are already dreaming about your next textured square, make sure to check out some of my other patterns. There is always another square waiting to be made!
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