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# Waffle Stitch Baby Blanket

A soft, squishy pram-sized baby blanket worked in classic waffle stitch. The textured 3D grid is created by alternating treble crochet (tr) with front post trebles (FPtr), producing a thick, cosy fabric perfect for cuddling. This pattern is ideal for confident beginners ready to try post stitches.

**Finished Size:** approximately 76 cm wide × 90 cm long (30" × 35½") — standard pram/cot blanket size.

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran), 100% cotton or soft acrylic blend recommended for baby projects
  - Approximately **900–1000 m (985–1095 yds)** in your chosen colour
  - Suggested: 5–6 × 100 g balls
- **Hook:** 5.0 mm (UK 6 / US H-8) crochet hook
- **Notions:**
  - Tapestry/yarn needle for weaving in ends
  - Scissors
  - Optional: stitch markers

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## Tension (Gauge)

**12 tr × 7 rows = 10 cm (4")** measured over plain treble crochet using a 5.0 mm hook.

In waffle stitch pattern: approximately **11 sts × 8 rows = 10 cm**.

*Always work a tension swatch — adjust hook size if needed. Tension is important for the finished size and yarn quantity.*

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## Abbreviations (UK Terms)

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| dc | double crochet (= US sc) |
| tr | treble crochet (= US dc) |
| FPtr | front post treble — yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the indicated stitch from the row below, complete as a tr |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| sp | space |
| RS / WS | right side / wrong side |
| rep | repeat |

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## Pattern Notes

- The blanket is worked flat in rows.
- The turning **ch 3 at the start of each row counts as the first tr**.
- Skip the very first stitch of each row (it sits at the base of the turning chain) and work your last tr of each row into the **top of the previous row's turning chain**.
- Waffle stitch is built on a multiple of **3 sts + 2**, plus 2 extra for the turning chain. This pattern uses **92 sts** (3 × 30 + 2). ✓
- The first and last stitch of every row is a plain tr — this keeps the edges tidy.
- FPtr is only worked from Row 3 onwards (you need a row below to work around).
- Stitch count at end of every row: **92 sts**.

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## Instructions

### Foundation

**Foundation chain:** Ch **94**.

*(94 ch = 91 tr + ch 3 turning chain that counts as 1 tr = 92 sts.)*

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### Row 1 (RS)
1 tr in the 4th ch from hook (skipped 3 ch count as first tr), 1 tr in each ch across to end. **(92 sts)**

Turn.

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### Row 2 (WS) — set-up row
Ch 3 (counts as first tr), skip first st, 1 tr in each st across, working last tr in top of turning ch. **(92 sts)**

Turn.

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### Row 3 (RS) — begin waffle pattern
Ch 3 (counts as first tr), skip first st, **1 tr in next st**, *1 FPtr around the post of next st (in row below), 1 tr in next 2 sts*; rep from * to * across until 2 sts remain, 1 FPtr around next st, 1 tr in top of turning ch. **(92 sts)**

Turn.

*Stitch count check: 1 (turning ch) + 1 tr + [1 FPtr + 2 tr] × 29 + 1 FPtr + 1 tr = 1 + 1 + 87 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 92 ✓*

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### Row 4 (WS)
Ch 3 (counts as first tr), skip first st, **1 tr in next st**, *1 FPtr around the FPtr below, 1 tr in next 2 sts*; rep from * across until 2 sts remain, 1 FPtr around next FPtr, 1 tr in top of turning ch. **(92 sts)**

Turn.

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### Row 5 (RS)
Ch 3 (counts as first tr), skip first st, 1 tr in each st across, working last tr in top of turning ch. **(92 sts)**

Turn.

*This plain tr row "locks in" the waffle texture and creates the horizontal bars of the grid.*

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### Pattern Repeat

Repeat **Rows 3, 4 and 5** in sequence until the blanket measures approximately **88 cm (34¾")** from the foundation, ending with a Row 5 (a plain tr row).

You should work approximately **63 rows total** (Rows 1–2, then 20 full repeats of Rows 3–5 = 60 rows; total 62, plus one more plain row to finish).

**Do not turn** after the final row — proceed directly to the border.

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## Border

### Round 1 (RS)
Ch 1, work **1 dc in the same st**. Continue with 1 dc in each st across the top edge. At the corner, work **3 dc in the corner st**.

Down the side edge: work **2 dc into the side of each tr row** (approximately 126 dc down the side — adjust to keep the edge flat).

At the next corner: **3 dc in the corner**. Work 1 dc in each ch across the foundation edge (92 dc). **3 dc in the corner**. Work 2 dc into each tr row up the second side. **3 dc in the final corner** (this is the corner you started in — actually, work 2 more dc to complete the corner), sl st to first dc to join.

*Approximate count: 92 + 126 + 92 + 126 + (4 × 2 corner increases) = 444 dc.*

### Round 2
Ch 1, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in each dc around, working **3 dc in the centre dc of each 3-dc corner group**. Sl st to first dc to join.

Fasten off, leaving a 15 cm tail.

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## Finishing

1. **Weave in all ends** securely using a tapestry needle, working ends in along the back of the stitches in two different directions to prevent unravelling. Trim flush.
2. **Block the blanket** (recommended): wet-block by gently soaking in lukewarm water with a little wool wash, squeeze out excess (do not wring), lay flat on towels, gently shape to dimensions and pin if needed. Allow to dry completely. Blocking opens up the waffle texture beautifully.
3. **Care:** Follow the yarn ball band — most baby yarns are machine washable on a delicate cycle.

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## Tips for Success

- **Count your stitches at the end of every row** — it's easy to miss the final tr in the top of the turning chain, which is the most common cause of accidental decreases.
- **FPtr stitches will pull the fabric in slightly** — this is normal and creates the waffle texture.
- **Use a stitch marker** in the first stitch of each row if you tend to lose your place.
- **For a larger blanket** (cot size, ~100 × 120 cm): chain 124 (multiple of 3 + 2 + 2 turning ch = 122 sts) and work approximately 84 rows.
- **For a smaller blanket** (lovey, ~50 × 50 cm): chain 64 (62 sts) and work approximately 35 rows.

Enjoy your beautifully textured waffle blanket — perfect for a new little one! 🧶