Hey, lovely crocheters!
I recently posted my beginner tips for crocheting on Instagram and it picked up a bit of traction! A few people were wondering what I was making in the background of the video and others just fell in love with the yarn I was using. Well here is the inside scoop of what I was using, making, and creating!
In this semi-viral video (270k views is a big deal to us small business girlies) I was using James C Brett Swurlywirly yarn in the colour Daybreak, my trusty 5mm hook, and double crochet granny clusters to make a hexagon. Read on to learn how to make this gorgeous hexi cardi.
Before we get to the fun part you will need to measure the length and width of your back so you know how big to make each hexagon. Don't forget the width of each hexagon should be roughly half the desired width as we will fold them both and sew them together.
To start you need to make a magic circle, if you struggle with these I have a little tutorial here https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cx8X43CMRMH/?igsh=N2ZzaHQ0dGlxajg0. Or you can make a chain 4 and slip stitch, whatever you find works best! Once you’ve made your ring, chain 2 and add 2 double crochets into the ring, the chain 2 acts as a double crochet here. Next add 3 double crochets, chain 2, and repeat this until you have 6 little clusters. At the end of the 6th cluster don’t forget to chain 2 before you finish the round, don’t worry I did the same thing the first time I made a hexagon too. So now we’ve remembered the chain 2 you need to slip stitch into the top of that first double crochet, chain 2, and turn your work.
DING DING DING it’s time for round 2! Into that chain space do 2 double crochets, chain 2, and add 3 more doubles into the same space, from here move on to your next space. To move to the next space, you don’t need to chain anything, just pop 3 doubles into the space. Carry on like this until you reach the end. Remember only add your chains in the corners, it’ll form the hexagon and act as an increase. Once you’ve completed round 2 just repeat this pattern until you think your hexagon is big enough, remembering to check that the width is half of what you need!
TOP TIP! Keep count of your rows as you go so you can duplicate them for the other side.
Okay so now you've made one hexagon and have half a cardigan. For the next part, you will need your favourite playlist, podcast, or series. These are essential as you’re going to need to make the second hexagon and you might need a bit of motivation at this point. Keep going and remember to keep a count of your rows so that both halves are identical.
Hopefully, your favourite playlist helped you out and now you have 2 hexagons that are nearly ready to be stitched together. At this point in my hexagon cardigan journey, I pinned both halves together and carefully tried it on, the length was PERFECT but the width just wasn't giving what I wanted it to give and the sleeves were too short. If you have the same problem, let's fix it together. Find the corner on the back of your cardigan and attach your yarn, make a few rows of granny stitch on this half, then repeat on the other hexagon. For the arms, attach your yarn and granny stitch round until your sleeves are a bit longer. The final step before it's time to stitch together is to weave in those ends unless you're super organised and did it as you went. If so please give me tips on how to be this organised!
PHEW now it is finally time to stitch together! To stitch together you could use a needle and wip stitch or if you’re like me and just prefer the trusty crochet hook slip stitch along the top and down the middle of your cardigan, remember right side facing so the seams will be on the inside!
Hopefully, you’ve made it to the end, and only had to watch a few episodes of your favourite series! If you have, I’d love you to share your hexagon cardis with me! Send me an email at octobercrochetshop@gmail.com or tag me in your Instagram pics!