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Waffle fabric, also known ashoneycomb fabric, has a surface texture that looks like awaffle with raised threads that form small rectangles, hence the name.[1][2] Waffle weave is a further exploitation ofplain weave andtwill weave which produces athree-dimensional effect. The combination ofwarp and weft floats creates the structure. It is woven partly ontabby (plain) areas surrounded by ridges of long floats. The weave consists of warp and weft floats arranged around a plain weave center. The warp and weft threads are interlaced and floating in a way that creates small square ridges and hollows in the fabric in a regular pattern.[3]
Waffle fabric can bewoven. It can also beknitted on a double jerseyknitting machine by selecting the needle position for knitting and tucking the loops for the formation of the structure similar to floating warps and weft in weaving. The knitted waffle, also known as thermal fabric, can be produced in big waffle and mini waffle variants.[4]
The "face" is a weaver's term that refers to whether the warp or weft dominates the fabric.[5] The three-dimensional face/texture of waffle make it more absorbent, useful for absorbing liquids, typically as a towel. Waffle fabric is usually made ofcotton ormicrofibre, sometimes oflinen,[6] and is woven in a way that makes it very absorbent. The waffle weave allows air to flow through the fabric so that it dries quickly. Waffle fabrics are made in a range of weights.
Some towels are made in light weights with waffle weave on one side, terry on the other, sometimes described as terry waffle or hybrid waffle. They are claimed to combine the comfort of terry with the quick drying of waffle.[7][8]
The texture of waffle fabric makes it more absorbent than other weaves, making it suitable as an alternative toterry towelling forbathrobes, towels, and wipes for cleaning surfaces. It is also used forapparel.[9]
