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!

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All my tutorials are created for you to use and enjoy for free. However, if you would like to make a donation you can do so using the button below (all donations are gratefully received and will be used to fund future projects).

 

xx Thank you xx

Comments

[Pamela Romano]

I have made 126 hexagon shapes and I failed to give thought to putting them together! Any suggestions as to the best way for me to do this now?

[Sandra Knubben]

Hi ,
Could you please send me the instructions for the hot water bottle design, I ❤ it.
I'm a beginner but hope to learn lots of work cery excited 😁

[Helen Collins]

Lucy I was wondering if you have instructions for filling in the spaces on the two opposite sides please. I am putting together a three row hex rug but don’t like two opposite sides. The ends sides are fine. cid:92E3465B-C426-41B8-87F0-467E1A15E966

[Rosemary]

I gave myself a project for our current 6 week lockdown.
I had bought the Stylecraft Sweet Pea colour combination earlier this year.
I made plain large hexagons( ending with 22 stitches per segment - 4 per 100g ball.) using 12 balls. When I was half way spread out on bed and joined by crochet continuous zig zag, then the short sides. Then I started again with remainder.
Now finished 70”x63”
Rosemary in Ireland

[Eloise Wood]

Thanks Lucy!! I’ve turned this blanket project into a heirloom for my children. It’s an absolute labour of love but I’m determined to make it a masterpiece.
It’s called Red Thread. ❤️🌹

Much love from Australia

Elle xxx

[Lauren]

I love this pattern I am currently making a blanket out of it but I was wondering if you have pattern that follows this that is a half hexagon? To fill in the indents around the edge. Thank You

[JD]

Hi! I’d love to know which StyleCraft colors most closely match those that were used in this blanket. These hexagons were my very first crochet project and the resulting blanket is gorgeous. Each hex took me about an hour to complete, so I opted to do a simple chevron on each side to make it the size I wanted. I believe I’d still be making hexagons at the turn of the century if not. Ha! Beautiful project and these colors are lovely.

[J.T.]

Lucy, while I was searching for other granny square patterns, I came across a Dutch website that has used your picture of your hexagon blanket without giving you credit or linking to your blog. I thought you would like to know about that. This is the website: https://breiclub.nl/voor-beginners/granny-squares-haken/
(I couldn't find any other way to contact you. Maybe I overlooked it?)

[Sarah]

Do you have the pattern for half hexagons to straighten the edges.?

[Tracy Carroll-Gauci]

Hi Lucy

I want to give this blanket a go it reminds me of English paper piecing which I do. I think Rowan have discontinued some of the colours would the pattern work with Stylecraft DK cotton and would I need to get extra amounts for this blanket. Sorry but I am new to this crocheting but I love your blankets and I hope to come and buy you a coffee and a cake in Skipton some Time to get some tips.

[Sandra]

Crocheting the motifs together ad I went along was an absolute nightmare! I will NEVER do that again! The motifs, however, were a joy to make. THAT part I truly enjoyed.

[Minxxy]

I am about to start this for our soon to be built log cabin and I am really excited. I cant seem to find your video tuorial of the bobble stitch. Has it be moved elsewhere ?The link doesnt work

[Gaye Baldock]

I love this pattern and started doing one for my twin years ago - really need to finish it! How many hexagons would I need to do to make a rug to snuggle under?

[Jess]

I have made a few baby blankets using your tutorial, I'm getting ready to start a larger one! I always make my circles first and go back and join them all later, using one solid color (usually white) and it looks just stunning. This has been one of my favorites, I can't thank you enough for sharing. :)

[elizabeth shelton]

I love your tutorials, they are clear and not too "professional". thanks

[adof titler]

kkk is gud

[Heather]

I have made a blanket using hexagon shapes but want the finished blanket to have straight edges. I have searched for a tutorial to help me achieve this but cannot find how to straight edge my blanket. Can you help please. Thank you.

[Carol]

A suggestion for the lady, and her daughter, who want to learn to crochet - there are loads of free tutorials on You Tube and Craftsy have a very basic course for £12ish. Hope this helps

[wendy]

Hi ive been recommended to your site and just love what im seeing, only i cant crochet. I would love to learn [ my 12 year old also interested] so would you be able to go over the basics for me please or point me in the right direction for some help, Looking forward to creating some of your patterns.

[Kathy Davis]

This is awesome!!! Is there any way to get this pattern as a pdf.

[Helen C]

Would love some help please- I have made 120 hex and worked the join as you go ( wonderful instructions from you- thank you ) but now not sure how to get finished shape correct. I am sure I need more hex( plenty of scrap yarn in my hoardings!) would appreciate you pointing me in the right direction please. This rug has been my solace during the last few months and even though we are nearing summer I would like to get it finished. I do wish I had a mathmatical brain and more computer skills. Thanking you. HC

[Jessie]

Absolutely stunning!!! Thank you for sharing!!! I love this pattern and was looking for a new project and know this is perfect to keep me occupied for a while. I was just wondering if you had a diagram layout of the color pattern that you used for this on? I want to end up with a finished product with the same color layout. I can try to guess from the first picture, but I'm sure to mess something up. I'm assuming there are multiple hexagons using the same color pattern, but I can't really tell what they are and how they lay out together to form a whole. A top view picture(s) would also be helpful, in addition to the diagram. I live in the U.S. and I'm going to have to substitute a different brand of yarn and figure out color matches. Would you happen to have color representations of the 16 colors you used? Any help would be MUCH appreciated. I'm anxious to get started.

[Kim M.]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[Noni Florida USA]

I love all of the different colors! Your work is wonderful.

[Sara]

Thank you so much for the tutorial Lucy! I just finished my lap blanket, just in time too - my baby's 'due date' is today!
xxx