By Cheri McEwen

Photos: Cheri McEwen

I was playing around on the internet and ran across this interesting stitch. It was the waffle stitch – which not only made me hungry, but it looked so cozy and warm! It is a thick textured stitch that looks like it would trap warm air and keep the wearer comfy. This stitch got me to thinking of how to incorporate it into a shawl design without having to concentrate on the post stitches used to get the grid effect. The result is the Waffles shawl which uses an easy to remember repeat that can be made to any size with any yarn and hook combination!

Waffles is a variation of the original stitch that uses front post stitches and regular crochet stitches to compose the grids. I also decided to use a post stitch shell variation for the central spine to add a bit of interest. (To me, it looks like a spinal column!)

The shawl can be made with or without fringe.

Difficulty: Easy

Size: Adjustable

Finished Measurements: 25 inches deep X 56 inches wide after blocking (as shown)

Materials:

• Sayelle [100% acrylic/ 99g skein] This yarn is vintage and discontinued, it is worsted weight and estimated about 200yds per skein. Scarlet [4] skeins
• J/10 (6mm size) hook
• Tapestry needle

Gauge: Gauge is not significant in this design.

Directions

Set up: Ch 4, dc in fourth ch from hook. (Ch 2, make 2 dc in same st) 3 times, turn.

Row 1: Ch 3; dc in next st. Ch 2, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip one stitch. FPDC around next st, V-st in ch-2 sp, FPDC around next st. Ch 2, sk 1 st, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in last 2 stitches, turn.

Row 2: Ch 3; dc in next st. Ch 2, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, FPDC around next 2 sts, make 2 dc in next ch-2 sp. Ch 2, skip one stitch, FPDC around next st, V-st in ch-2 sp, FPDC around next st, ch 2. Sk 1 st, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, FPDC around next 2 sts, make 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in last 2 sts, turn.

Row 3: Ch 3; dc in next st, ch2, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, FPDC next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, FPDC next 2 sts, Make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip one stitch, FPDC around next st, V-st in ch-2 sp, FPDC around next st, ch 2, sk 1 st, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp. FPDC next 2 sts, dc next 2 sts, FPDC next 2 sts, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in last 2 sts, turn.

Row 4: Ch 3; dc in next st, ch 2, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, FPDC next 2 sts. (Dc in next 2 sts, FPDC next 2 sts) twice, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip one stitch. FPDC around next st, V-st in ch-2 sp, FPDC around next st, ch 2, sk 1 st, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp.(FPDC next 2 sts, dc next 2 sts) twice, FPDC next 2 sts, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in last 2 sts, turn.

Row 5: Ch 3; dc in next st, ch 2, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp. FPDC next 2 sts, (dc in next 2 sts, FPDC next 2 sts) 3 times, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip one stitch. FPDC around next st, V-st in ch-2 sp, FPDC around next st, ch 2, sk 1 st, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp.(FPDC next 2 sts, dc next 2 sts) 3 times. FPDC next 2 sts, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in last 2 sts, turn.

Row 6: Ch 3; dc in next st, ch 2, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp. FPDC next 2 sts, (dc in next 2 sts, FPDC next 2 sts) 4 times, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip one stitch. FPDC around next st, V-st in ch-2 sp, FPDC around next st, ch 2, sk 1 st, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp. (FPDC next 2 sts, dc next 2 sts) 4 times, FPDC next 2 sts, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in last 2 sts, turn.

Row 7: Ch 3; dc in next st, ch 2, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp. FPDC next 2 sts, (dc in next 2 sts, FPDC next 2 sts) 5 times, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip one stitch. FPDC around next st, V-st in ch-2 sp, FPDC around next st, ch 2, sk 1 st, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp. (FPDC next 2 sts, dc next 2 sts) 5 times, FPDC next 2 sts, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in last 2 sts, turn.

Row 8: Ch 3; dc in next st, ch 2, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp. FPDC next 2 sts, (dc in next 2 sts, FPDC next 2 sts) 6 times, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip one stitch. FPDC around next st, V-st in ch-2 sp, FPDC around next st, ch 2, sk 1 st, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp. (FPDC next 2 sts, dc next 2 sts) 6 times, FPDC next 2 sts, make 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in last 2 sts, turn.

Continue working in established pattern to desired length. At that point, you can either fasten off and weave in the ends or you can work a row of eyelets as follows and add a nice fringe!

Eyelet Row: Ch 3; dc in next st, ch 2, dc in ch-2 sp, (ch 2, sk 2 sts and work into space between stitches) to center. Ch 2, in ch-2 sp, ch 2, sk 1 st, FPDC around next st, V-st in ch-2 space of center, FPDC around next st, ch 2, skip 1 st, dc in ch-2 sp. (Ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in space between stitches) to edge, ch 2, dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in last 2 sts.

FINISHING
Fasten of, weave in ends, and block. Add fringe if desired.

About the Designer
Cheri is a stay-at-home mom who designs for fun. She likes to crochet and knit. She often tries to recreate her knitting patterns in crochet and vice versa! She has reached a point in her life where she loves the challenge.

Pattern & images © Cheri McEwen. All rights reserved.