Linen glossary

Waffle weave (honeycomb)

Waffle — or honeycomb — is an embossed weave forming small, regular cells, used for hammam foutas, lightweight towels and some bed covers. With no loops, it is thinner and less absorbent than terry, but it dries much faster, takes a third of the storage space and weighs far less to carry.

It is the hammam and spa textile: it wraps without weight, stands up to frequent washing, and its relief hides creases well. In a guesthouse or riad, waffle complements terry rather than replacing it — hammam or pool fouta in waffle, bath towel in 550 g terry: each fabric at its post.