4/20/2014 Attic24: Hexagon How-to

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Hexagon How-to

My crochet Hexagons, I am LOVING them right now, can't get enough. For a brief spell I fell out of love, I got fed up
with the fiddlesomeness of them, the fact that they are very hard to do whilst simultaneously doing anything else
(like drinking cappuccino and nattering). They take concentration folks, but if you are prepared to concentrate then
these will reward you handsomely.
I'm not sure how this post will turn out, maybe a bit of a descriptive pattern/tutorial mixture, but one thing's for
certain :: I will do my damndest to help you make these if you are interested. I made my own pattern to suit my own
yarn, after not being able to find a pattern anywhere on the web in general. And as my pattern appears to differ
slightly from others I've seen, I feel confident in finally sharing it :: ie no plagiarism/copyright issues involved I hope.
But I must give absolute credit to Alex of Moonstitches who taught me (via her fabulous tutorial) the method of
joining the hex's together. If you look on her blog, in the right hand sidebar, you'll see the tutorial waiting for you
there :: it's called Block Meet. You will need to use this when you get to the joining stage.
Another valuable source of information and inspiration is the Hexagon Love pool on Flickr. It is quite simply full of
fabulous hexagonal goodness.
And there is more info/blurb to be found in my own archives here and here.

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I've had many emails during the past few months asking me for specific yarn info with regards to my various crochet
projects. I do intend to put a permanent page in my sidebar where you can reference this info, but that will have to
wait a little. For now, lets concentrate on these 'ere Hexagons.
For this blanket, I am using Rowan Handknit DK Cotton. It should cost in the region of £3.50 per 50g ball in the UK. I
am using 16 different colours, although the deep yellow I chose for the centres is now discontinued. And as I know
you like specifics, these are the other 15 colours I'm using ::
215 (Rosso)
219 (Gooseberry)
239 (Ice Water)
254 (Bright Orange colour, now discontinued)
287 (Diana)
303 (Sugar)
309 (Celery)
313 (Slick)
314 (Decadent)
316 (Slippery)
318 (Seafarer)
324 (Bermuda)
327 (Aqua)
332 (Rose)
333 (Antique)
I'm crocheting on a 4mm hook, and the size of the finished hexagon as you can see above is roughly hand-sized.
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Each straight side measures 6cm, and about 11cm across between the points.

Now I have never attempted to write out a pattern before. But lets just assume that if you're reading this in order to
try your hand at crocheting hexagons, then you already know how to make basic stitches right? I'll try and not get too
complicated, but as I do SO want you to be able to do it, I'll try to explain things as well as basic pattern-write.

First off chain 4 and join to form a ring. The hole in the centre of the ring will be smallish, but this is where you need
to work from for the first round. Tweak it a bit with your fingers to open it out a little.
Chain 3, then work 11 double crochet stitches (US) or treble crochet stitches (UK) into the ring. Join with a slip stitch
to the 3rd stitch of the initial chain 3 and fasten off.
You should now have a little whirly wheel circle with 12 stitches/spokes altogether.

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Join in a new colour for round 2 :: knot the two yarns together, remember like I showed you for the Granny Squares?
Remember you can crochet the ends in as you go with the hex's too, to save you darning ends in at the end.
Pull the new colour yarn through to the front, through one of the dc/tr stitches :: you are working out of the stitches
in this round, not the spaces in between the spokes.

For this round, you're going to be making what I think is known as a Bobble Stitch. It's basically where you work two
incomplete dc/tr's into the same stitch, joining them at the end by pulling the yarn through all loops.
I shall describe it to you :: yarn over, insert hook through next stitch, yarn over, hook back through stitch (3 loops on
hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Then yarn over and insert hook through SAME STITCH,
yarn over, hook back through stitch (4 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), yarn over
and pull through all 3 loops.
I know it sounds complicated, but honestly, it's really not. Try watching the little Bobble Stitch video I've linked to
above, it might help if you see the stitch being made.
So this is the pattern for round 2::

Chain 2, then 1 US dc/UK tr in same stitch. Chain 1.

Work a bobble stitch into next stitch as described above, then chain 1 to space.
Repeat 10 more times until you get back to the beginning and have 12 "bobbles" in total. Join round with a slip stitch
into the 2nd stitch of the initial chain 2.

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OK, you still with me? Onto round 3 :: Nice and easy now, you're doing dc/tr clusters just like you do for granny
squares. You are working out of the SPACES now, the spaces between the bobble stitch clusters of your previous row.
Join a new colour, pull loop through a space between 2 bobble clusters to start.

Chain 3 (counts as 1 dc/tr), work US dc/UK tr twice into same space, then chain 1.
Work US dc/UK tr three times into next space, chain 1.
Repeat 10 more times until you get back to the beginning and have 12 "clusters" in total. Join round with a slip stitch
into the 3rd stitch of the initial chain 3 and fasten off.

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Round 4 :: the chain-loop round ::

Join in a new colour and pull loop through a space between the dc/tr clusters of the previous row.

Chain 3, then make a slip stitch into the next space between your dc/tr clusters :: this anchors the chain loop.
Continue making little chain-3's, slip stitching them in place in the gap between the dc/tr clusters of the previous
round. Join the last chain-3 with slip stitch into the first chain stitch you made. Do not fasten off as you will use the
same colour for round 5.

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Round 5 is the final round that forms the hexagon shape. I'm going to tell you how to crochet this as a single hexagon
before we talk about the joining-as-you-go method.
You are using the same colour as the last round, and you will be working the stitches under the chain-3 loops you
created. So to begin, make a slip stitch under the nearest chain-3 loop.
Chain 3 (counts as one dc/tr), then US dc / UK tr twice. Chain 2 (this is the corner spacing), then in the SAME chain-3
loop, US dc / UK tr three times. This is your first corner, it should look like a double cluster of 6 dc/tr's with a pointy
corner bit in the middle.
Into the next chain-3 loop, work US dc / UK tr three times. This is a single cluster and makes a straight side.
Into the next chain-3 loop, work US dc / UK Tr three times, chain 2, then US dc / UK Tr three times. This is your
second corner.
Continue working your way round making your clusters of 3 dc's /tr's, alternating between making a double cluster
corner group (with chain 2 spacing) and a straight side single cluster. You should be ending the round on a straight-
side group of three dc's/Tr's. Join the round with a slip stitch and fasten off.
See?????? It's not so hard?????? You've made your first hexagon!!!

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Now if you're happy to make lots of single hexagons and join them all by stitching, then that's absolutely fine. But
joining them as you go is fairly easy, although a little fiddly.
You will be working anti-clockwise, starting with a corner, as shown above.

To begin, you make a single cluster as before (chain 3, then dc/tr twice). Then instead of chaining 2 to make your
corner spacing, chain ONE, then replace your second chain space with a slip stitch into the corner space of the
ajoining hexagon.
Then working into the SAME chain-3 loop, dc/tr three times to finish your corner cluster.

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Now you need to slip stitch into the next space of the ajoining hexagon to secure (see above). Basically, you have to
insert hook into the space, hook the yarn from the back and pull it through to the front :: first through the space,
then through the loop on the hook. It takes a bit of practice, it can be fiddly. But persevere.

You continue to work your way round, forming the hex shape in the same way as described above, but making sure
that after each cluster you slip stitch into the relevant space on the ajoining hexagon which makes the attachment.
When you get to a corner where you would normally chain 2, you make 2 slip stitches instead (in picture above, one
slip stitch is made into the corner of the bright blue hex, and the next slip stitch into the corner of the sage green

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hex). This is quite hard to explain in words :: please do look over Alex's tutorial, she has some great photos to
illustrate. But keep in mind that her pattern is different to mine, she uses more stitches so try not to get confused.
I so hope that if you are inspired to give this a go, then you will be able to follow my blurb. I've done my very best
with this, tried not to be too wordy, and its taken me a very long time to write it all out. But you are worth it, every
word! I am happy, SO happy to be spreading the Hexagon Love. And if just one of you manages to make a hexagon
out of this post, then I am gonna be MiGhTy HaPpy :)
I'm going to put this post over in my sidebar so you can reference it easily :: look over to the left, down at the
bottom, and it will be listed as a Page.

If you find you need further help, please just leave a comment and I will do my best to reply and help out.

HAPPY HOOKING!
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All my tutorials are created for you to use and enjoy for free. How ever, if you w ould like to make a donation
you can do so using the button below (all donations are gratefully received and w ill be used to fund future
projects).

xx Thank you xx

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Com m ents
You can follow this conv ersation by subscribing to the com m ent feed for this post.

Oh m y god! You are good...! I hav e to read it carefully later. But thank y ou for sharing this!
Posted by : Julie Alv arez | Nov em ber 05, 2 008 at 1 2 :1 1 PM

Thanky ou,thanky ou!!! I am writing out pattern now and it looks so easy . I wish all patterns were like this! I cant wait to
start m y bedspread. Thanks so m uch for sharing this.

Posted by : Julie | Nov em ber 05, 2 008 at 1 2 :3 4 PM

Thank y ou SO MUCH!
I wonder how y ou chose which color com es next - do y ou hav e a set pattern in m ind or just choose random ly with what
looks nice? (y ou hav e a great ey e for color!)

I nev er noticed all the centers where y ellow! ha!

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Thanks again! REALLY REALLY REALLY THANKS!!!

Posted by : Lorie | Nov em ber 05, 2 008 at 03 :1 7 PM

¡Muchísim as gracias! (Thank y ou so but so m uch!) What a wonderful tutorial, y ou're am azing!
Posted by : Mariana | Nov em ber 06 , 2 008 at 07 :05 PM

I just lov e y our hexagons. It is y ears since I tried crochet, but am going to giv e it a try . Your tutorial is good.
Posted by : carol | Nov em ber 06 , 2 008 at 09 :2 5 PM

I am in lov e with the rainbow colored wav y stripe afghan. Is there a link for this pattern? Is it hard? I hav e searched
m any wav y , scalloped, zig-zag patterns and this is the m ost beautiful- sim ple and bold at the sam e tim e. Please help, I
am new to crocheting( I can do chain, single, and ev en double with a quick rem inder). I hav e nev er m ade any thing but
this has sparked m y interest. Thank y ou v ery m uch, Kim
Posted by : kim | Nov em ber 08, 2 008 at 03 :3 0 AM

Thank y ou, Thank y ou, Thank y ou for hav ing the courage & patience to m ap this out for us newbies!!! You are the first
& only one to put together a road m ap!!!
Melibu in LA
Posted by : Melibu | Nov em ber 1 2 , 2 008 at 02 :4 8 AM

Many thanks for y our instructions!!!

Now I try to do it... :|
Com plim ents for y our hand m ade...really fantastic
Elena
Posted by : Elena_ Italy | Nov em ber 2 7 , 2 008 at 09 :3 5 AM

Thank y ou for the great instructions. They are clear enough a beginner to follow. I'v e tried hexes before but couldn't get
it. Now, thanks to y ou it's easy . You wrote a beautiful pattern. Thank y ou for sharing.

Posted by : Sherree in CA | Nov em ber 2 7 , 2 008 at 03 :50 PM

I left com m ent on y our flickr site to say thanks for these instructions -but I wanted to m ake sure those thanks were loud
and clear!!! So ov er the m oon at finding som ething that works well!!
In another part of y our blog, y ou m ention Sarah Lugg - y es, I went to Vlth form college with her, she was seeing m y ex
husband's brother at that tim e!! A lov ely girl. I lost touch with her som e y ears ago, but hav e sent an em ail to an
interm ediary who m ay be able to put m e back in touch with her. http://anothergirlatplay .com /sarah-lugg/

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Boo

Posted by : boo | Decem ber 1 1 , 2 008 at 1 1 :4 7 AM

oh! I am so excited! I hav e alway s wanted to do a hexagon but had no clue where to find a pattern! I found y ours last
night and followed y our WONDERFUL instructions! I hav e already m ade 2 and connected them like y ou explained to
boot! Thanky ou soooo Much! :) Do y ou hav e a m ethod for choosing which colors to use for each hexagon? Like do y ou go
light from dark starting from the center? or do y ou just m ix and m atch howev er y ou are feeling at the m om ent? I hav e
enjoy ed looking at all y our wonderful creations! Thanky ou for sharing!
Posted by : Rebekah | Decem ber 1 6 , 2 008 at 1 1 :1 3 PM

I just find y our blog a few weeks ago, and I am absolutely hooked :), thank y ou sooooo m uch for letting us see all of y our
work! So colourful and happy ! I just hav e a little question about this hexagon blanket. I read here that I need 1 6
different colours for it, but how m any balls of y arn do I need? Is it enough with just one for each colour? Hav e a great
day !

Posted by : Jenny , Sweden | January 1 0, 2 009 at 09 :3 7 AM

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE y our crocheted hexagons & i can't wait to get started ev en if it is sum m er downunder lol!!!!! Thanx
for sharing :)xx
Posted by : m arian | January 1 6 , 2 009 at 08:3 9 AM

Thank y ou for working this out and posting it! I cam e across the hexagon phenom enon on Rav elry and no one had a
pattern in English :(. I hav e a stash I inherited from both of m y grandm others and I finally hav e a project that will do it
justice (and use it up!!!!!)

Posted by : Ashley Elizabeth | January 1 8, 2 009 at 07 :00 PM

Thank y ou!!!!!!
v ery easy to read and follow...
m y husband lov es it too.

Posted by : Jennifer | January 1 8, 2 009 at 09 :2 8 PM

These are FAB Lucy !!...i adore hexagons and i m ade three crochet hexagons today , following y our instructions, [which
were v ery easy to understand by the way , thanks]i'v e popped them on m y blog and put a link to y our blog so ev ery one
can discov er the fun of crochet hexagons :) cheers, Marian

Posted by : m arian | January 2 5, 2 009 at 09 :4 8 AM

Hello, thank y ou so m uch for the instructions. I´m doing an hexagon blanket now! I´m using portuguese y arns (since I
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´m portuguese :)) but I would lov e to try the ones y ou used. Unfortunately I can´t find them near m e so I´ll hav e to buy
on the net. Can y ou please tell m e the m easures of y our blanket and the am ount of y arn y ou bought so I can hav e an
idea of how m uch I need to buy ? Thank y ou so m uch!
You can see m y blanket here http://donapontom aria.blogspot.com /2 009 /02 /cobertor.htm l

Posted by : Maria | February 1 7 , 2 009 at 1 1 :4 7 AM

Thanks so m uch for the easy to read pattern. I lov e y our blanket. How m uch of each y arn do I need to buy . Thanks
again

Posted by : barbara stewart | February 2 0, 2 009 at 02 :58 AM

Thank y ou so m uch! You m ade this easy to understand, and I get it now. I lov e y our pattern too! Your hexagon blanket
is so beautiful.

Posted by : Tony a | February 2 1 , 2 009 at 03 :2 5 AM

Your afghans are beautiful and y our description and photos are clear. Thank y ou. I hav e m ade ov er 2 50 3 color
hexagons and now need to start joining them for an afghan. I can't follow y our link-as-y ou-go because of m y colors, etc.
Do y ou hav e any idea what is the best way to join the hexagons? In other words, which pattern of stitching leav es m e
with the least am ount of joining only one side together?
Posted by : Kirsten | March 02 , 2 009 at 02 :54 PM

Thank y ou for the easy -to-follow instructions, it's so good of y ou to share. I'm just learning to crochet, but it's v ery
enjoy able. And I lov e com ing to y our ev ery day !

Posted by : Michele | March 09 , 2 009 at 08:1 0 PM

You m ake this look so easy . I'll put it on m y to do list. I like the idea of sewing each hex together as y ou go. That way it
doesn't just look like a big pile y ou hav e to sew together at the end. If y ou know what I m ean!!

Posted by : Liz Lee | March 1 1 , 2 009 at 05:2 8 PM

hi there, i lov e y our beautiful, beautiful blog - it m akes m e so happy ! just wondering if y ou could tell m e how to m ake
this granny square into a square as opposed to a hexagon. i am new to crochet & lov e the pattern of the 3 inner lay ers
resem bling a sunburst but would like to try a sim pler v ersion as its m y first try at crochet. m ay be once i get into it, i
can brav e try ing the hexagon! thnx in adv ance
Posted by : cy choi | March 1 2 , 2 009 at 06 :4 2 AM

Thank y ou for taking the tim e and effort to post this excellent hexagon pattern. I'm com pletely new to the wonderful
world of crocheting, but still found y our description v ery v ery easy to follow, ev en in English. I had a sim ilar pattern in
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m y nativ e language Danish, but didn't understand a thing...

Best regards from Copenhagen, Denm ark :)

Posted by : CupCake | March 1 7 , 2 009 at 1 1 :02 PM

I lov e, lov e, lov e this pattern and hav e been busily attaching them as I go. I now hav e a v ery strangely -shaped m ass.
Help!

Posted by : Sarah | March 2 1 , 2 009 at 01 :51 AM

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