Waffle Square Hood with Fringe: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This bohemian waffle square hood is the perfect next step for an advanced beginner who wants something a little more interesting than a basic beanie. It is made from two simple waffle-stitch squares, one navy and one white, joined along a center seam to form the crown, then folded into a cozy tube with a striped neck band and a short white fringe along the face edge. The raised waffle texture gives it a soft, squishy feel, while the navy-and-white color blocking makes it look far more complicated than it really is. Slip it on for chilly walks, festival days, or any time you want that effortless, handcrafted look.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight (Category 3) merino wool, approximately 350 yards total: 250 yards navy, 100 yards white.
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6).
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, measuring tape, scissors.
• Finished size: One size fits most women: circumference 22 inches (56 cm), height 14 inches (36 cm) from crown to bottom edge.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• fpdc – front post double crochet (work the double crochet around the post of the stitch below, from the front, instead of into the top of the stitch)
• sc – single crochet
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• RS / WS – right side / wrong side

Gauge

16 stitches and 8 rows in waffle stitch = 4 inches (10 cm). Work a small swatch in pattern and measure it before starting; if your stitches are larger, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up.

Tips Before You Start

• The waffle texture comes from alternating fpdc and dc stitches, so keep your fpdc posts loose enough to sit on top of the fabric without pulling it in.
• Make both squares before joining so you can check that they match in size; a quick steam block of each square makes the seam neater.
• Count your stitches at the end of every row; the squares must stay at 40 stitches to keep the crown square.
• When joining, use a contrasting scrap of yarn or stitch markers to pin the seam and face opening in place before you sew.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Square 1 (Navy)

Row 1: Ch 42, dc in 4th ch from hook and each ch across (40 dc).

Row 2: Ch 3, turn, [fpdc, dc] across, ending with dc (40 sts).

Row 3: Ch 3, turn, [dc, fpdc] across, ending with fpdc (40 sts).

Rows 4-20: Repeat Rows 2-3 (40 sts). Fasten off.

Square 2 (White)

Work the same as Square 1, Rows 1-20 (40 sts). Fasten off.

Join the Squares

With navy, hold the two squares with RS together and whipstitch along one edge to join them, forming a rectangle 20 rows by 40 sts. Fold the rectangle in half with WS together to form a tube, then join the two short edges (20 rows) with navy, leaving a 6-inch opening at the bottom for the face.

Neck Band

Rnd 1: With navy, join yarn at the bottom edge of the hood, ch 1, sc evenly around the bottom opening (approx 60 sc).

Rnd 2: Change to white, sc in each sc around (60 sts).

Rnd 3: Change to navy, sc in each sc around (60 sts).

Rnd 4: Change to white, sc in each sc around (60 sts). Fasten off.

Edging

With white, join yarn at the bottom of the face opening and sc evenly along the face opening edge. Fasten off.

Fringe

Cut white yarn into 6-inch lengths. Fold 2 strands in half, use the hook to pull the loop through a stitch along the front edge of the hood, then pull the ends through the loop to secure. Attach fringe evenly along the front edge, spacing about 1 inch apart, then trim the fringe to 2.5 inches.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends with the tapestry needle, working them into the wrong side of the fabric in different directions so they stay hidden. Gently steam block the hood to settle the waffle texture and even out the seam, shaping it to the finished measurements (22 inches circumference, 14 inches height). Let it dry completely before wearing, and give the fringe a final trim once the hood is dry.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the navy and white for any two contrasting DK colors, such as rust and cream, for a warmer autumn look.
• Make the fringe longer (about 4 inches) for a bolder bohemian finish, or skip it for a cleaner everyday hood.
• Add a second white sc round along the face opening for a slightly wider, more defined border.