I don't know where you live but here in most parts of the United States, we are having an interesting time with cold weather and snow! It's the perfect time to crochet some super warm and cozy blankets for those precious little babies who have just greeted us during the New Year.
This is why I want to share with you the "Mommy and Me Waffle Blanket Pattern". This blanket is super warm and cozy because of the waffle stitch that it used to create its textured look. Of course, by now you have guessed, the textured look is that of a waffle! ha ha
This is probably one of my most favorite designs I have written a pattern for. I am a lover of all things "textured" and I do not design many patterns that don't have texture.
My favorite part of this blanket is the border. I love how much character it gives the blanket and it finishes it off in a very balanced way...
It has a sort of a "yin and yang" to it. The waffle section has a bit of a masculine feel while the border gives it a feminine balance.
I love that you can change up the look and feel of this blanket with different color schemes (as you'll see in some of my tester's photos in the later part of this post) and that literally, ANY applique works perfectly with this blanket.
When people crochet a project using the waffle stitch they are often stumped at what kind of border to use with it. I see this question pop up a lot in crochet Facebook groups.
When you Google what kind of border to use for a waffle stitch blanket, the most common answer is to use a "plain" border because of how textured the waffle stitch already is.
It is usually recommended to do something similar to traditional thermal blankets that you shop for in department stores or online, which is to keep it super simple and "frame it."
Most recommendations are along the lines of a "ribbing." Below you see an example of how thermal blanket borders look in stores, and you'll usually find that most people who crochet something similar will keep the same kind of border to finish it off.
While simple and traditional are not bad, it's just not me! I love flare, texture, and new inventive designs!
So I played with several ideas and submitted my ideas to my VIP Facebook group for their opinions because I was starting to over think everything lol.
Here is a photo of what I sent them asking what they thought of my 4th idea after I had frogged the border 3 other times lol.
Thankfully I finally decided on one, and my followers didn't have to wait any longer. I am so thankful I finally decided on a version I liked! Now it's eye candy lol!
I love to look at it, and with this particular color combination it gives me a throw back "Lisa Frank" art feel. If you missed the "Lisa Frank" craze in the late 80's and 90's just Google it and you'll see what I mean lol!
The testers had a wonderful time playing with the color combinations to show off how this blanket can be used for any gender. Here are a few finishing photos from the Orchid and Bee's Testing Team.
The first photo below was submitted by Ilene B., and I absolutely love the nostalgic feel that is created by her color combination. It reminds me of the old carousels, and I could definitely see an applique of a carousel horse on here! Wouldn't that be dreamy?!
See what I mean?! That color scheme is just like some of the old carousels!
This photo was submitted by Stephani R. who used a similar concept of mixing colors (as Ilene did) only using yellow and blue. The only difference is these colors have the more traditional baby blue and yellow and is still great for a gender-neutral blanket.
In the last photo, tester Margie. L. used a variegated yarn and it still came out just as beautiful! Hers has a bit of a sophisticated "baby" color scheme lol!
I could see "Carlton Banks" with this kind of baby blanket lol! Just add his monogram and there you have it -- a blanket fit for a future Princeton Graduate lol.
Margie also submitted a photo showing how the variegated yarn looks for the front of the blanket (waffle side) and the back (non-waffle side).
The top of the photo is the waffle side of the blanket and in the bottom of the photo, she folded the blanket up to show the backside for comparison. Both ways are beautiful really!
As you can see this blanket is perfect for any gender! You could even make it bigger and would work great for adults too!
If you enjoy this pattern and would like to have a PDF copy that is ad free and printable, you can grab it in any of my three shops! Just click the following to go to the site of your choice to purchase: Orchid and Bee's Shop, Etsy Shop, Ravelry Shop.
So let's get to the fun part! How to crochet this beautiful blanket!
“Mommy and Me Waffle Blanket”
Crochet Pattern
Materials:
Yarn: Worsted Weight 4 - colors of choice
1,787 to 2,500 yards
I used:
Approx. 4.5 skeins of white Mainstays yarn or about 1,787 yards for main blanket section
Approx. ½ skein of pink for border
Less than ½ skein for the other 2 border colors (mint and purple)
Hook - J 6mm
Needle
Scissors
Stitches:
Ch - chain
Sp - space
Dc - double crochet
Sc - single crochet
Sl st - slip stitch
Hdc - half double crochet
CSFS - camel stitch front side
St(s) - stitch(es)
FPDC - front post double crochet
* * - repeat instructions between asterisks
#st - complete # of sts in same space
St# - complete stitch in next number of spaces
Inc (increases) - work 2 stitches in the same stitch space to increase the number of total stitches in row/round
Special Stitches -
Camel Stitch Front Side - for this pattern, work a half double crochet stitch into the 3rd loop on the front side of your work. You will not be using the traditional front or back loop at the top of your work.
Waffle Stitch - The waffle stitch makes a wonderfully textured design that looks just like a waffle! The DC stitch and the FPDC stitch are used to create this look. You will simply follow the instructions in the “main blanket section” to create the waffle look! I have included pictures to help and there are also YouTube tutorials available with a simple google search.
Crab Stitch - reverse single crochet - work a single crochet to the right instead of to the left, this will create a twisted cord look giving the border a beautiful finish! Left handed crocheters will work left to right to complete this stitch.
Puff Stitch - For this pattern you will yarn over, insert your hook in the space you are working in, yarn over and pull through. You will pull up your loop to the height of your DC stitch. You will do this a total of 5 times. If you want your puff smaller you can do it 4 times instead of 5.
Note: Inserting hook 5 times (11 loops on hook). Inserting hook 4 times (9 loops on hook).
“Slanted” Puff Stitch - when I was learning the “Braided Puff Stitch,” which as you might have guessed - looks like a braid, I loved how it looked when made all in the same direction as opposed to opposite directions. I modified the stitch by omitting the ch 1 between the puff stitch and the next dc stitch. By doing this it creates the slanted/angled look that you see on the border of this blanket. To achieve this look, you “sk a stitch, dc, and then work a puff stitch into the skipped stitch.” So you are working forward and then backward. You repeat this to the end and then sl st to join. Note, your puff stitch will cover the dc stitch. You can see the pictures below for assistance. On the corners of the blanket, you will add a ch between the puff stitch and the next dc to make an increase. This ch 1 will help keep your edges from curling up. If your edges still curl up you can either block your blanket or try adding an additional ch 1.
Skill level / Language- Beginner/Intermediate: If you are unsure of any stitches YouTube is a great resource! The pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
Pattern Info: This pattern is for the blanket pattern only. The elephant applique pattern is sold separately. The Mommy & Me Elephant Applique Pattern, that is shown on the cover photo of this pattern, can be found in all three of my shops at Orchidandbees.com, Ravelry, and Etsy. The blanket with the border is approximately 40 x 40 inches. The blanket without the border is approximately 36 inches x 36 inches.
Gauge Swatch Info:
Foundation ch: Multiples of 3+2
Swatch Size: Approx. 6 inches x 6 inches
Gauge: 4 sts = approx. 1 inch
Adjust: Change tension or hook size to reach gauge size if needed/desired
Swatch Instructions:
Note: Beginning/Turning chs count as a stitch
Begin: Ch 26
Row 1: Dc in the 4th st from the ch, dc 22, ch 2. (24st) *beginning ch counts as st
Row 2: Turn, *FPDC, Dc 2*, repeat *to* to end, FPDC, dc, ch 2. (24st) *see photo in main instructions section for assistance
Row 3: Turn, *Dc, FPDC 2*, repeat *to* to end, dc in last two, ch 2. (24st) *see photo in main instructions section for assistance
Row 4 - 11: Repeat Rows 2 & 3. (24st)
Row 12: Repeat Row 2, fasten off. (24st)
Pattern Instructions
Note: beginning/turning chains count as st
Note: I use a ch 2 for my turning chs but you are welcome to do a ch 3 if you need your turning chains taller
Note: Odd Rows are the wrong side (ws) and Even numbers are the right side (rs), showing the waffle design
Main Blanket Section: Color of choice
Begin: With white or choice of color, Ch 131.
Row 1: Dc in the 4th st from the ch, dc 127, ch 2. (129st)
Row 2: Turn, *FPDC, dc 2*, repeat *to* 41 more times, FPDC, dc, ch 2. (129st)
Row 3: Turn, *dc, FPDC 2*, repeat *to* 41 more times, dc in last 2, ch 2. (129st)
Row 4 - 79: Repeat Rows 2 & 3. (129st)
Row 80: Repeat Row 2, ch 1, do not fasten off; continue with white for Round 1 of the border. (129st)
Border:
Note: if needed, place a st marker in the first st of each round to mark place when changing and joining a new color and beginning a new round
Note: work first st in the same sp as the ch 1 in rounds 1 - 6
Note: you can work the border in any color combination desired or one solid color for all 6 rounds. To make a smooth transition for your border, always work Round 1 of the border in the same color as the main waffle blanket section.
Note: if you would like to match the border of this blanket exactly the colors are:
Round 1 - white
Round 2 - mint
Round 3 - pink
Round 4 - pink
Round 5 - mint
Round 6 - purple
Note: If you need more or fewer stitches on the two sides of your blanket to reach the corners just make sure you have “even” or a total stitch count that is divisible by 2 at the end.
Note: If your end stitch count is different than mine you will simply need to make sure you work 1 increase in each corner on Round 1, and 2 increases in each corner on Rounds 2- 5, this will help keep the corners from curling up.
Note: weave in ends as you go to make the finish easier
Note: beginning/turning chains do not count as st
BORDER ALTERNATIVE: I have provided the exact count that I used for my border but you are welcome to just crochet a border around with your own count and then do the corresponding stitches in Rounds 1 - 6. Please note that you will need to make sure you have an even number of stitches in order to have an even number of stitches starting in Round 1 in order to make the slanted puff stitch in Round 3.
Round 1: Do not turn, the right side/waffle design should be face up. Sc approx 100 sts down the first side, 2sc in the corner, 129 sc in the unworked side of the beginning ch, 2 sc in the corner, 100 sts down the 2nd side, 2 sc in the corner, sc 129 in the (ROW), 2 sc in the last corner, sl st to join, fasten off. (466st) *see diagram for visual assistance
Round 2: Change colors, join in first st of prior round, ch 1, *sc 100, 2sc in next 2, sc 129, 2sc in next 2*, repeat *to* one more time, sl st to join, fasten off. (474st)
Round 3: Change colors, join in first st of prior round, ch 2, *sk 1, dc, work a puff st in the skipped st* repeat around all four sides, to increase on the corner work a ch 1 after 2 puff stitches on the corners to help it stay rounded, sl st to join, ch 1. (474st, & eight ch 1 sps) *see special stitches for assistance
Round 4: If matching the original design do not change colors on this round, Hdc in each st and ch sp around, work 2 increases in the corners, sl st to join, fasten off. (482st)
Round 5: Turn work over to the wrong side, see notes before “Main blanket section” for assistance, change colors, CSFS in each st around, work 2 increases in each corner, sl st to join, fasten off. (490st)
Round 6: Turn work over to the right side, the waffle design side, see notes before “Main Blanket section” for assistance, change colors, join, ch 1, crab stitch around, sl st to join, fasten off, weave in ends. (490st)
Finish:
Personalize:
Add an applique or tag with name to give it an extra special touch
The Mommy & Me Elephant Applique that is shown on the cover photo of this pattern can be found in all three of my shops at Orchidandbees.com, Ravelry, and Etsy. I have dozens of other appliques that will go great with this blanket design!
I also have an alphabet pattern available if you would like to add a name.
Blocking Options:
If you would like to block the blanket to give it a professional end look you can:
Pin to a blocking mat and using steam from an iron, hover over the blanket straightening out any wrinkles. Let it dry for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Pin to a blocking mat, spritz with water from a spray bottle and use some warm air from a hairdryer to relax the fibers into the desired shape.
For other blocking methods I recommend doing a google or YouTube search as there are dozens, if not hundreds, of tutorials available with a variety of methods by many different experienced fiber artists
Well, you have made it to the end of this pattern! I truly hope you enjoyed this pattern as much as I have and do. I see myself making a few more of these in the future!
I gave the blanket that I made for this pattern to a neighbor for her and her only daughter who was born about 6 months ago. On the bottom right of the blanket, I added a tag with her baby girl's name and birth date.
She did everything to keep from crying as this is their last and only girl in the family. She has two older brothers so at least now she has something special to celebrate their special bond! She said that this was a "lifetime gift" and it meant a lot to her.
I might mention that sometimes we can do something and not realize how deep of a meaning our gift had. For the recipient of this blanket, this had a bit of healing that came with it.
Shortly after her daughter was born, her mom passed away (the baby's grandmother), so this particular "Mommy and Me" applique was extra special and meaningful for her and she said that when they move to their new house that the colors of this blanket is now going to be the colors for her nursery. What a special thing to get to be part of!
Sometimes those extra special touches and meaning really help a person connect with our work. I enjoy creating my designs with intent and meaning and love when people can feel that. I encourage you to consider ways to personalize your blankets to give it extra special meaning for the person you are gifting it to.
I can't wait to see your blankets and hear your stories. Please share your photos and your stories in the comment section of this post or in my VIP Facebook Group! I love seeing people's projects from around the world! Tag it with #mommyandmewaffleblanket so I can see your work.
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And don't forget if you would like a copy of this pattern that is ad free and printable you can grab it at one of my three shops: Orchid and Bee's Shop, Etsy Shop, Ravelry Shop
Have a great week and I'll see you guys again soon! Thanks again for all your love and support!
Blessings,
Karen E. (aka Sonshine)
Orchid and Bee's
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