Waffle Stitch Hat

This is my version of the Waffle Stitch Hat.
My first one was TOO SMALL so I ripped it out and re-did it.
My second one, posted here, was TOO BIG but I kept it anyway.
I've adapted my plan and this third one was JUST RIGHT!

I made the hat in all double crochet stitches.
(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)

The yarn is leftovers from my stash. It's one of those big balls of yarn that you can get at Walmart... can't remember that kind.

The Pattern

Chain create a circle of 75 stitches.
[EDIT: I miscounted on my latest hat and had only 69 stitches and I love the snug fit better than the relaxed fit. Try that circle on to see which you prefer.]

Row 1: 75 DC (this is your base row)

The rest of the hat will be a pattern of "even row" and "odd row" patterns.
 
Row 2 (even rows):  1 FP DC (front post double crochet); in next 2 stitches:  BP DC(back post double crochet), repeat these three stitches across; slip stitch into your first stitch and then create the first FP DC for your next row by chaining one and then working a FP DC 

(Front Post: working from the front, pull yarn under the stitch post to create your double crochet). This creates the vertical ridge for the waffle box. 

(Back Post: working from behind, pull yarn "over" the stitch post to create your double crochet). This creates the horizontal ridge for the waffle box. 

Row 3 (odd rows): (continuing on from the first DC created above), 2 DC, 1 FP dc, repeat across, slip stitch, chain 3. 

(working just in the top "v" of the stitch)

Create 7 full waffle boxes  (7 sets of odd/even rows)

Row 15: we start decreasing by stitching the two inner DC stitches together.
"1 FP DC; 1 decreased BP DC" repeat across

Row 16: 1 FP DC; 1  DC; repeat across 

Row; 17:  1 FP DC; 1 BP DC, repeat across

Row 18: 1 FP DC; 1 D across

Row 19: decrease by stitching 2 FP DC together; 1 BP DC, repeat across

Row 20: decrease by stitching 2 FB CD together, repeat across 

Row 21: decrease by stitching 2 FB CD together, repeat until you can close up the circle with embroidery needle and finish off. 

and there we have it - "Just right"
Well, just right for me, anyway.... 
~ Debbie