The clean simple lines + cozy thickness of the waffle stitch have my heart! This hat is soft, stretchy, and can be made in a variety of sizes. Colour blocked or solid, this toque is a winner either way. Scroll down to get the pattern for free or download an inexpensive pdf version from Etsy HERE or Ravelry HERE.
There’s something so fantastic to me about those tiny perfect little squares. The waffle stitch has become my favourite this year (as you can tell from my waffle socks pattern, waffle hat pattern, and soon my waffle mittens pattern, and waffle cardigan pattern). I’m in love with the texture and clean lines. This look just screams cozy to me but with a modern feel.
This hat was inspired by my Watson Waffle Sock pattern (found HERE) and the socks were inspired by my Watson Waffle Cardigan (pictured below and coming soon!). Once I had the hat complete I couldn’t resist making matching mittens so stay tuned for that pattern release as well. My hope is that you can make the full set in time for holiday gift giving!
I used a lighter weight yarn because the waffle stitch makes the hat thick and to thin it out the lighter weight yarn worked well. I also wanted to pack in as many squares as possible so you can really get the waffle look and again a lighter weight yarn helped accomplish that.
I love how stretchy this hat is even though it involves front post stitches (which can sometimes make our work stiff) and that you can work it up in a number of sizes . . waffle hats for the whole family! How sweet would this be on an itty bitty baby in the matching baby waffle socks?
Hopefully I’ve ‘hooked’ you and you’re ready to work up a waffle hat of your own! Read on for the instructions. : )
WATSON WAFFLE HAT - Free Crochet Pattern
F I N I S H E D S I Z E S
Baby (6-12 months) – fits 17” circumference, 6.5” high
Toddler (1-3 years) – fits 18” circumference, 7” high
Kids (3-10 years) – fits 19” circumference, 7.5” high
Adult Small – fits 20” circumference, 8” high
Adult Medium – fits 21” circumference, 8” high
Adult Large – fits 22” circumference, 8.5” high
M A T E R I A L S
Hook – US E / 9 – 3.50mm crochet hook
Yarn – Any fine weight yarn (size 2 / ‘sport’ / 5 ply)
◦ Loops & Threads® Cambria™ (Grey + White) – Found HERE
(https://www.michaels.com/cambria-yarn-by-loops-and-threads/M10540754.html)
▪ Amounts needed:
➢ Baby size
◦ Colour A – approximately 96 yards or 88 meters
◦ Colour B – approximately 96 yards or 88 meters
➢ Toddler size
◦ Colour A – approximately 110 yards or 101 meters
◦ Colour B – approximately 110 yards or 101 meters
➢ Kids size
◦ Colour A – approximately 124 yards or 113 meters
◦ Colour B – approximately 124 yards or 113 meters
➢ Adult Small size
◦ Colour A – approximately 140 yards or 128 meters
◦ Colour B – approximately 140 yards or 128 meters
➢Adult Medium size
◦ Colour A – approximately 148 yards or 135 meters
◦ Colour B – approximately 148 yards or 135 meters
➢ Adult Large size
◦ Colour A – approximately 165 yards or 151 meters
◦ Colour B – approximately 165 yards or 151 meters
Extras – Any faux fur or yarn pom pom
◦ ‘Rainbow Designs’ Faux Fur Pom Poms were used for fur poms
(https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRainbowDesigns)
G A U G E
17 stitches = 3 inches
14 rounds = 3 inches
P A T T E R N A B B R E V I A T I O N S
English (US) terms
ch – Chain: Yarn over, pull through loop on hook
hdc – Half Double Crochet: yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and
pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook
dc – Double Crochet: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull
through stitch, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over and pull
through last two loops on hook
dc2tog – Double Crochet 2 Together: Yarn over, insert hook into first stitch,
yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and
insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull
through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through 3 loops
FP – Front Post Stitch: work crochet stitch around the front ‘post’ of stitch
BP – Back Post Stitch: work crochet stitch around the back ‘post’ of stitch
sl st – Slip Stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch
and loop on hook
N O T E S
• Beginning chain does NOT count as a stitch in stitch counts
• Example photographs are in the ‘Adult Medium’ size
• Stitch count in [ ] at the end of each row is in order of size
• Hat is worked from the bottom up
• Hat is worked in the round
V I D E O T U T O R I A L
There is a video tutorial available for this pattern on YouTube:
W R I T T E N P A T T E R N
English (US) terms
ROUND 1
Chain:
● 87 – Baby
● 93 – Toddler
● 99 – Kids
● 105 – Adult Small
● 111 – Adult Medium
● 117 – Adult Large
Join end of chain to first chain with a slip stitch to form a circle,
Chain 2, hdc around, join to top of beginning chain 2 with a sl st
[87 hdc | 93 hdc | 99 hdc | 105 hdc | 111 hdc | 117 hdc]
ROUND 2
Chain 2, *[FPdc around next stitch, dc in next 2 stitches],
repeat from * to end of round, join to top of beginning chain with sl st
[87 sts | 93 sts | 99 sts | 105 sts | 111 sts | 117 sts]
ROUND 3
Chain 2, *[FPdc around next stitch, BPdc around next 2 stitches],
repeat from * to end of round, join to top of beginning chain with sl st
[87 sts | 93 sts | 99 sts | 105 sts | 111 sts | 117 sts]
ROUND 4 to ROUND 25/27/29/31/31/33
Repeat Rounds 2 & 3 until Round:
● 25 – Baby (switching colors after Round 14 for color block look)
● 27 – Toddler (switching colors after Round 14 for color block look)
● 29 – Kids (switching colors after Round 16 for color block look)
● 31 – Adult Small (switching colors after Round 18 for color block look)
● 31 – Adult Medium (switching colors after Round 18 for color block look)
● 33 – Adult Large (switching colors after Round 18 for color block look)
ROUND 26/28/30/32/32/34
Chain 2, *[FPdc around next stitch, dc2tog],
repeat from * to end of round, join to top of beginning chain with sl st
[58 sts | 62 sts | 66 sts | 70 sts | 74 sts | 78 sts]
ROUND 27/29/31/33/33/35
Chain 2, *[FPdc around next stitch, BPdc around next stitch],
repeat from * to end of round, join to top of beginning chain with sl st
[58 sts | 62 sts | 66 sts | 70 sts | 74 sts | 78 sts]
ROUND 28/30/32/34/34/36
Chain 2, *[FPdc2tog two posts together (see picture) skipping over middle dc,
dc in next stitch], repeat from * until 2 stitches remain, FPdc around next
stitch, dc in last stitch, join to top of beginning chain with sl st
[30 sts | 32 sts | 34 sts | 36 sts | 38 sts | 40 sts]
ROUND 29/31/33/35/35/37
Chain 2, *[FPdc around next stitch, BPdc around next stitch],
repeat from * to end of round, join to top of beginning chain with sl st
[30 sts | 32 sts | 34 sts | 36 sts | 38 sts | 40 sts]
Fasten off
Leave approx. 10 inch end to weave around opening at top of hat,
pull to close and tie to secure
Attach pom pom
Thank you for ‘looping’ together this lakeside inspired project with me! I really hope you enjoyed the pattern and if you’re interested in more free patterns please check out one of the designs below!
Kindest wishes,
Kimberley
