Lightly textured crochet hexagon motif - free pattern and video tutorial!

Hello lovely people of the internet! Long time no blog.

2018 has been a crazy year for me, it started by getting married in April, followed by a mind blowing trip to America for our honeymoon then hit the ground running by bagging myself a new full time job – it seems like only yesterday I was releasing my Lotus Flower Blanket pattern – where has time gone?

In any quiet moments I have been attempting to tackle my HUGE yarn stash, starting with my “work” yarn. I made the decision to stop craft fairs / selling crochet this time last year and boy do I have a lot of yarn! :O

Many a scrap blanket has been made and I thought it was high time I share some of my motif designs that I have been sitting on. I initially put pressure on myself to have finished blankets to show the motifs off to their best but with life being so busy now, that is never going to happen so over the next few months I will be releasing crochet motifs for you to turn into blankets on my behalf LOL

First up, my lightly textured hexagon motif.

I will eventually release a half hexi to accompany the full hexagon but for now, here is the full.

For this motif, I have started a blanket using my cotton yarns – this gives lovely stitch definition and gorgeous weight to the blanket! I grabbed a bundle of different colours and have been picking at random for the colour placement.

YARNS

I am using Stylecraft Cotton Classique, a couple of balls of Three Bears Cotton Affection and for a bit of sparkle, I have snuck in a ball of Sidar Soukie and a sparkly silver cheap acrylic which I think I got from B&M.

This hexagon has a lot of stitches designed to squish up to give a light texture. Due to this, I advise using a hook size slightly larger than your yarn recommends.

*Watch this space for more info on the YouTube video - it is currently uploading! - I'll update this post as soon as the video is live*

Pattern notes:

·         USA / American Terms

·         Hook size: 4.5mm

·         Yarn: Random selection of mostly cottons, DOUBLE KNIT.

·         Repeat pattern between the asterisks * …….. *  X amount of times

·         Pattern notes / explanations specific to each row (info inside bracket written in italics)

Stitches / abbreviations used:

·         MR = Magic Ring 

·         Ch = Chain

·         Dc = Double Crochet

·         Tr = Treble Crochet

·         Ss = slip stitch

·         Sp= space

Want to learn how to do the basic stitches? See my crochet stitch video tutorials here!

If you spot any errors or typos in this pattern PLEASE shout

OK so lets begin!

Start with a MR  (or substitute for chain 4, join with ss to create a small ring)

Round 1 – working into the MR

Ch5 (counts as 1dc, ch2)

*3dc, ch2* x 5

2dc, ss to 3^rd chain of initial ch5

Ss into first chain space

Pull ring closed

Round 2

Ch6 (counts as 1dc, ch3)

Working into the chain spaces from round below: 

*3dc, ch3, 3dc* into the next 5 chain spaces around the hexagon.

2dc into first initial chain space, ss to 3^rd chain of initial ch6.

Ss into chain space

Round 3

Ch6 (counts as 1dc, ch3) 3dc, 1tr, ch1.

Working into the chain spaces from the round below: 

*1tr, 3dc, ch3, 3dc, 1tr, ch1* into the next 5 chain spaces around the hexagon.

1tr, 2dc into the first initial chain space, ss to 3^rd chain of initial chain.

 Cut yarn and weave in your ends! J

To join as you go:

Complete one hexagon.

For joining your second (and any subsequent hexagons to each other) substitute the ch1 on the 3^rd round for a slip stitch to the corresponding ch1 on the hexagon you are joining to.

On the corners, substitute the 2^nd chain for a slip stitch so: ch1, ss, ch1

If you have any questions about this pattern / spot any errors / notice any typos but holler!

I would absolutely LOVE to see any hexagons (especially completed blankets) you may make – please feel free to tag me in your photos on Instagram (I am @puddnhead) or post them to my Facebook page here! <3

Happy crocheting!

Robin x

Continue reading Lightly textured crochet hexagon motif - free pattern and video tutorial!

Lotus Flower Blanket - free crochet circle blanket pattern and video tutorial

This pretty circular crochet blanket is worked in the round, lies flat and has beautiful drape.

Light and airy yet incredibly warm.

I used one Whirl for this baby / lap blanket in the colourway “Sherbert Rainbow” working from the outside of the cake.

You can use any yarn you wish, I went slightly larger than the recommended hook size for the yarn so that you get a nice drape to the blanket.

This was quite complicated pattern to write, I have been quite “wordy” with it to explain what I am doing – please read through it all before starting (or alternatively, watch my video tutorials and crochet along with me!)

Enough chatter – onto the pattern!

***************

LOTUS FLOWER BLANKET

Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl or Scheepjes Our Tribe (available from Snufflebean Yarn)   

Hook size: 4.5mm

Ch3 at the beginning of each round counts as stitch throughout; ch1 at beginning of each round does NOT count as a stitch

Repeat pattern between the asterisks *    * X number of times or until end of round

Abbreviations: USA Stitch Terms

MR (magic ring)

Ch (chain)

Sp (space)

Dc (double crochet

Sc (single crochet)

Ss (slip stitch)

inc (increase = 2dc in same stitch)

petal (groups of dc forming a shell / petal shape)

SET UP ROUNDS - Please refer to the video if you become stuck at any point!

1.       Into a MR, ch3, 11dc. Join with ss to top of ch3.           

                                   

2.      Ch3, dc in same stitch, [inc] x 11. Join with ss to top of ch3.

           

3.      Ch4 (counts as 1dc, ch1), [dc, ch1] x 23. Join with ss to 3^rd ch of ch4

4.      Ch1, sc in same stitch. *[dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc] in next dc, sc in next*  x 11. [dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc] into last dc. Join with ss to sc.                                                  

5.      Ch5 (counts as dc, ch2), dc into same stitch. *ch1, sc in top of 2^nd dc of petal below, ch1, [dc, ch2, dc] in top of sc from round below* x11.  ch1, sc in top of 2^nd dc of petal below, ch1, join with ss to 3^rd ch of ch5.

6.      Ss into ch2 sp.ch3, 2dc in ch2sp. *sc in sc from round below, 5dc into next ch2 sp* x 11. Sc in sc from round below, 2dc into 1^st ch2 sp. Join with ss to top of ch3.

7.      Ch1, sc in same stitch. *ch2, [dc, ch3, dc] in sc from round below, ch2, sc in top of 3^rd dc of petal below* repeat until end of round, substituting last the sc with a ss join to the 1^st sc of the round.

8.     Ch1, sc in same stitch. *7dc in ch3 sp, sc in sc from round below* repeat until end of round, substituting last the sc with a ss join to the 1^st sc of the round.

9.      Ch6 (counts as dc, ch3), dc in same stitch.  *ch3, sc in 4^th dc of petal below, ch3, [dc, ch3, dc] in sc from round below* repeat until end of round ending on ch3, sc in 4^th dc of petal below, ch3, ss join to 3^rd ch of initial ch6.

10.  Ss into ch3 sp. Ch3, 4dc in same sp. *sc in sc from round below, 9dc into ch3 sp between the 2dc from round below* repeat until end of round, ending with sc in sc from round below, 4dc into 1^st ch3 sp, join with ss to top of ch3.

INCREASE ROUNDS.

The pattern is written slightly differently from the set up rounds for ease of reading. Please refer to the video if you become stuck at any point!

Increase rounds are staggered. This may seem a little odd, especially when you are following the pattern, but if you do not stagger the increases, you will end up with a square edged 12 sided polygon shape rather than a proper circle. 

Please scroll down to see the notes about the increases at the end of this post!***

·         To keep the blanket flat, every set of increase rounds (2 rounds, the v stitch set up round and the petal round) will be followed by a set of NON increase rounds (Rounds 13 & 14 are the non increase rounds).

V Stitch = [dc, ch3, dc] into sc from round below

INCREASE = [dc, ch3, dc, ch3, dc, ch3, dc] into sc from round below

Petals consist of 9dc.

Increase petals consist of 7dc.

Finding the “middle” dc

Middle of a 9dc petal = dc into the 5^th dc.

Middle of a 7dc petal = dc into the 4^th dc.

11.   Ch1, sc in same stitch.

*Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below, ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below*

Repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to 1^st sc of the round

12.  Ch1, sc in same stitch.

*9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below, 7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from  round below*

Repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to 1^st sc of the round

13.  Ch4 (counts as 1dc, ch1), dc in same stitch.  (thank you to all eagle eyed people who spotted this tiny typo! It should be ch6 to start HOWEVER it does not seem to effect the pattern at all so I am leaving it in as ch4 so it marries up with the video tutorial which I cannot edit! LOL)

*ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below, ch3, V stitch*

repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to 3^rd ch of intial ch4.

14.  Ss into ch3 sp of V stitch. Ch3, 4dc.

*sc in sc from round below, 9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch*

Repeat until end of round, ending with 4dc into 1^st ch3 sp, join with ss to top of ch3.

15.   Ch1, sc in same stitch.

*ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below, ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below, ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle of petal below*

Repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to 1^st sc of the round

16.  Ch1, sc in same stitch.

*7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from  round below, 9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below, 9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below*

Repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to 1^st sc of the round

17.   REPEAT ROUND 13

18.  REPEAT ROUND 14

19.  Ch1, sc in same stitch.

*Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below, ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below, ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below , ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below *

Repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to 1^st sc of the round.

20. Ch1, sc in same stitch.

*9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below, 9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below, 9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below, 7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from  round below*

Repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to 1^st sc of the round

21.  REPEAT ROUND 13

22. REPEAT ROUND 14

STAGGERING BEGINS FROM HERE:  On every other increase row, you split the start and end of your stitches before the first increase so that the increase sections do not sit directly on top of one another. Please scroll to the end of this post for an explanation of the staggered increases***

23. Ch1, sc in same stitch. Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below, ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle of petal below, ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below.

* [Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below] 4 TIMES then ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle of dc of petal below*

Repeat until end of round, ending on *[Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below]* 2 TIMES substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

24. Ch1, sc in same stitch. 9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below, 9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below, 7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from round below

*[9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below] 4 TIMES then [7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from  round below]*

Repeat until end of round, ending on *[9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below]* 2 TIMES substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

25.  REPEAT ROUND 13

26. REPEAT ROUND 14

27.  Ch1, sc in same stitch.

* [Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below] 5 TIMES then ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle of dc of petal below*

Repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

28. Ch1, sc in same stitch.

*[9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below] 5 TIMES then [7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from  round below]*

Repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

29. REPEAT ROUND 13

30. REPEAT ROUND 14

31.  Ch1, sc in same stitch. [Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below] 3 TIMES then ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below.  THEN:

* [Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below] 6 TIMES then ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle of dc of petal below*

 Repeat until end of round, ending on: *[Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below]* 3 TIMES substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

32. Ch1, sc in same stitch. [9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below] 3 TIMES then 7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from round below. THEN:

*[9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below] 6 TIMES then [7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from  round below]*

Repeat until end of round, ending on *[9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below]* 3 TIMES substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

33. REPEAT ROUND 13

34. REPEAT ROUND 14

35.  Ch1, sc in same stitch.

* [Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below] 7 TIMES then ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle of dc of petal below*

Repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

36. Ch1, sc in same stitch.

*[9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below] 7 TIMES then [7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from  round below]*

Repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

37.  REPEAT ROUND 13

38. REPEAT ROUND 14

39. Ch1, sc in same stitch. [Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below] 4 TIMES then ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below.  THEN:

* [Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below] 8 TIMES then ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle of dc of petal below*

 Repeat until end of round, ending on: *[Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below]* 4 TIMES substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

40. Ch1, sc in same stitch. [9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below] 4 TIMES then 7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from round below. THEN:

*[9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below] 8 TIMES then [7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from  round below]*

Repeat until end of round, ending on *[9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below]* 4 TIMES substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

41.  REPEAT ROUND 13

42. REPEAT ROUND 14

43. Ch1, sc in same stitch.

* [Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below] 9 TIMES then ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle of dc of petal below*

Repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

44. Ch1, sc in same stitch.

*[9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below] 9 TIMES then [7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from  round below]*

Repeat until end of round, substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

45.  REPEAT ROUND 13

46. REPEAT ROUND 14

47.  Ch1, sc in same stitch. [Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below] 5 TIMES then ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below.  THEN:

* [Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below] 10 TIMES then ch3, INCREASE, ch3, sc in middle of dc of petal below*

 Repeat until end of round, ending on: *[Ch3, V stitch, ch3, sc in middle dc of petal below]* 5 TIMES substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

48. Ch1, sc in same stitch. [9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below] 5 TIMES then 7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from round below. THEN:

*[9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below] 10 TIMES then [7dc into 1^st ch3 sp of INCREASE, sc in 2^nd ch3 sp of INCREASE, 7dc into 3^rd ch3 sp of INCREASE,  sc in sc from  round below]*

Repeat until end of round, ending on *[9dc in ch3 sp of v stitch, sc in sc from round below]* 5 TIMES substituting final sc with a ss to the 1^st sc of the round.

49. REPEAT ROUND 13

50. REPEAT ROUND 14

Cut your yarn and weave in your ends (did you enjoy your slightly nerve wracking game of Yarn Chicken with the last of your Whirl towards the end there?!)

Lightly block your blanket - this is of course, optional

If you wish to increase the size of your blanket then please read the explanation of the staggered increases below***

***Explanation of the staggered increases – using the technique from amigurumi to split / stagger the increases: 

·         [1, inc]

·         [Inc, 2]

·         [3, inc]

STAGGERING BEGINS FROM HERE:  On every other increase row, you split the start and end of your stitches before the first increase so that the increase sections do not sit directly on top of one another.

·         So, on this row, you will be doing [4, inc] BUT you split the first set of stitches before the first increase so START with 2, inc then go on to do [4, inc] around the blanket and you will end on the second half of your initial split, 2.

·         Next increase row as normal: [5, inc]

·         Staggered / split increase row:  3, inc to start then [6, inc] around blanket, end on 3

·         Next increase row as normal: [7, inc]

·         Staggered / split increase row:  4, inc to start then [8, inc] around blanket, end on 4

·         Next increase row as normal: [9, inc]

·         Staggered / split increase row:  5, inc to start then [10, inc] around blanket, end on 5

·         Next increase row as normal: [11, inc]

Continue your increases in this fashion. 

DON’T FORGET. After every set of increase rounds (2 rounds, the v stitch set up round followed by the petals), you must do set of NON INCREASE rounds to maintain the flat shape. (Non increase rounds are 13 & 14)

End your blanket on non increase rounds. 

Mrs Snufflebean Yarn has very kindly given us 10% all Scheepjes Whirl or Our Tribe purchases - this discount is only valid until the end of March 2018 so you have to be quick if you want to take advantage of it! 

To redeem the discount please enter the coupon code LOTUS10 at checkout. 

Happy crocheting! Robin x

Continue reading Lotus Flower Blanket - free crochet circle blanket pattern and video tutorial