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.

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. 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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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!!!

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.

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 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!

Comments

[marian]

How generous you are - I have been reading your blog for a while and been loving the colourfulness of the hexagons. I did look at the tutorials you mentioned previously but couldn't really follow them. Yours is very clear and the photos really help. The bright and cheerful colours really help to brighten up things with the dull damp weather we are having. Your eye for colour is obvious. I have recently discovered clover crochet hooks when I began a ripple blanket and think they are much more comfortable to use than conventional metal. Not sure if you've tried them. Anyway I have a stash of Rowan DK cotton that I have been wondering what to do with. Now I know. Thanks again for your bright and inspiring blog!!!

[Fi]

As always, fab photo's Lucy. Yes, I've been seduced by all the crochet blankets. I could resist no longer, and started a granny square one this week! I'm hoping to post about it this week. Thanks for the tutorial. Keep hooking. Fi x

[Kitschen Pink]

Good grief! I feel quite drunk after all that and need a cup of tea and a sit down! That flickr site is just scrummy but I like your pics best! Those colours are amazing! t.x

[Cele]

Thanks for the tutorial. I must give this a go.

[Svenja]

Thank you so much for your generosity, Lucy! I've been admiring your blog for a few months already but never felt quite confident enough to leave a comment. But as you remain to brighten up my days with your lovely coloured crochets, tempting recipes, cordially "every day stories" and so many other things I think it's about time to say "Thank you so much" at last.
Love,
Svenja

[Deborah]

Your hexagons are just gorgeous...I wish I knew what all that meant though! I love crochet but just buy other peoples..I really must learn one of these days; it looks so satisfying.
I agree with you completely about lentils by the way! They're very underrated...I'll defintely add your bake to my lentil recipes
Deb

[Josie-Mary]

Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I'm going to give it a go this afternoon. I'll be back to let you know how I get on!! I love your blog & get quite excited everytime I see a new post...thanks for cheering as all up :) x

[maria amélia]

I loved your blog. Your crochet work, your pictures, the colors. I'm linking you on my blog. (if you desagree tell me, please). I'll come back here more times to see the news. If you want you may visit my blog. Congratulations!!

[María Isabel]

Lucy, thanks a lot..!! It´s amazing your blog, I always see it and appreciate everything you share with us. Love for you and your family,
M. Isabel

[Sal]

That is brilliant. I love to crochet and will definitely give these a go!
Gorgeous colours.;-)

[do you mind if i knit]

Lovely, lovely, lovely, they are, Lucy................ thankyou for the lovely tutorial, with great pics!

[simone]

Wow! The most comprehensive list of written instructions I have ever seen! When I feel the need to make some Hexagons Lucy I will definitely give your tutorial a go. I love your descriptiveness. I love your 'whirly wheel circle'!

[Daisy Steiner]

These are beautiful. I love the colours. You are so talented.

[Cláudia]

Obrigada Lucy!!
Você me encoraja a fazer coisas lindas de crochê.
Visito seu blog todos os dias e o tenho em meus favoritos.
Parabéns!!
Beijos

[luanne]

Lucy, thank you for this wonderfully detailed explanation and the great photos! it comes at a perfect time. i've been busily making my circles (just slightly different than yours, i made up my own version by experimenting) and am about ready to start the hexing/joining. you & Alex (moonstitches) are so generous to guide us through.

[cathleen]

I opened your post this morning and was greeted with this magical carousel of beautiful colored hexagons. They're beautiful, Lucy. You make it look so easy.

[Mrs Be]

Thank you for writing that all out. When I want to learn how to do one I'll know where to come (it's on my To Do List but, y'know....).

[Tami]

Lucy - The hexagons are beautiful and colorful. Thank you so much for sharing. I can't wait to get started.

[Rachel]

I love these, I'll be linking to this!

[julia]

Righto, in other words, gulp! Don't know if I'm up to this just yet but I rattled off another jam pot cover last night - Ian still doesn't get them! Thanks so much for the lesson in hexagons, blogland is going to go heaxagon mad!
Julia xx

[Brittani]

Thank you! I'm new to crochet, but I think after reading all of your info and the links you've provided, I can do it :)

[Josie-Mary]

Hey Lucy, I've made a hexagan...take a look at my blog & give me any tips...thanks x

[Anne]

I am definitely inspired by these and, in fact, by all of your projects!! Thanks.

[Mel]

Hello,
Just popped over from Josie Mary,
Lovely colourful crochet, wonderful colours, i can't knit or crochet to save my life.....i do admire other ppl's work tho....i would love a blanket....will have to seek one out from a charity shop methinks!
:>)x
P.S...lovely blog...i'll be popping back!

[Mary]

Thank you, Thank you! San Francisco will attempt the hexagon this evening in between celebrating our new President elect!