Blooming Flower Hexagons Afghan
July 2020 BlanketBox
Designed by Lauren Samar for Yarn Bits Shop
Feel free to email for pattern help or questions: help@yarnbitsshop.com
Blooming Flower Hexagons Afghan
Supplies:
2 skeins of 5 colors of Hook Nook Main Squeeze
Size I Crochet Hook
Darning Needle or Hook Nook End Weaver
Skill Level: Intermediate
Dimensions:
Blooming Flower Hexagon Dimension: 8 inches across
Expanded Hexagon Dimension: 11 inches across if doing 4 additional rounds
Full blanket dimensions are dependent upon the hexagon size selected but the final dimensions (with yarn provided) should be:
5 columns of 5 8” hexagons: About 32 inches by 39 inches without a border
4 columns of 6 8” hexagons: About 24 inches by 45 inches without a border
Gauge:
8 rows of 8 single crochet stitches = 2 by 2 inches
And/Or Blooming Flower Hexagon Dimension = 8 inches across
Overlay crocheting is a technique of creating a fabric of single crochet stitches in the back loop only and working additional stitches over the fabric in the front loop of below rows to create different designs. In this pattern, we are creating hexagons with a flower design blooming from the center utilizing the overlay crochet technique. Using five different colors, you have the option to make every single hexagon different with the color order (more on this in the Color Combination section). The border of the hexagons is up to you. You have the option to leave the Blooming Flower Hexagon pattern as designed and create solid hexagons for spacing between the Blooming Flower ones. Alternatively, you can add additional rounds to the main hexagon design (making the hexagon larger) and not make any solid hexagons at all. Lastly, depending on the layout of your blanket, make half hexagons to fill in the gaps at the top and bottom of the blanket. The sides will be rippled but with the half hexagons, the top/bottom will be flat.
Stitches/Abbreviation Guide:
Yarn Over (yo); Space (sp); Stitch (st); Skip (sk); Loop (lp)
Magic Ring: an adjustable ring used at the center to help tighten the gap after crocheting the first round.
Chain (ch): with one lp on hook, yo and pull through the lp on hook
Slip Stitch (sl st): insert hook into target sp, yo and pull through sp AND lp on hook
Single Crochet (sc): insert hook into target sp, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through both lps on hook
Single Crochet Two Together (sc2tog): insert hook into first target sp, yo and pull through sp, insert hook into second target sp, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through all lps on hook
Half Double Crochet (hdc): yo, insert hook into target sp, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through all three lps on hook
Double Crochet (dc): yo, insert hook into target sp, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through two lps on hook two times
Triple Crochet (tr): yo twice, insert hook into target sp, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through two lps on hook three times
Double Triple Crochet (dt): yo three times, insert hook into target sp, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through two lps on hook four times
Front Post Triple Crochet (fp tr): yo twice, pick up COLUMN by inserting from right to left and pulling the column towards you, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through two lps on hook three times
Front Post Double Triple Crochet (fp dt): yo three times, pick up COLUMN by inserting from right to left and pulling the column towards you, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through two lps on hook four times
Triple Crochet Two Together (tp2tog): yo twice, insert hook into FIRST target sp, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through two lps on hook TWO times (2 lps remaining), yo twice, insert hook into SECOND target sp, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through two lps on hook TWO times (3 lps remaining), yo and pull through all lps on hook
Double Triple Crochet Two Together (dt2tog): yo three times, insert hook into FIRST target sp, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through two lps on hook THREE times (2 lps remaining), yo three times, insert hook into SECOND target sp, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through two lps on hook THREE times (3 lps remaining), yo and pull through all lps on hook
Invisible Join: After making the last stitch of round, cut yarn (leaving a 4 inch or so tail) and pull through top of last stitch made. Using a needle, pull yarn tail from front to back through the 2 top loops of the 2nd stitch of the round. Then, pull tail from top to bottom through the center of the top 2 loops of the last stitch of the round. This creates a “false” stitch that you can crochet into in the following rounds.
Color Combination Considerations
With five colors for this afghan, it is important to consider how you want the hexagons to look as a whole. Below are several options and how to go about it with each.
SAME color order for all Blooming Flower Hexagons:
This means all the Blooming Flower Hexagons look the same throughout the blanket. This means some colors are used more than others within the hexagon. The colors with least usage in the hexagons would make more solid hexagons. To achieve this, pick a single color order and assign each color the letter to be used throughout the pattern/motifs (Color 1 is always Color A, etc).
All color orders are different for Blooming Flower Hexagons
This means all the Blooming Flower Hexagons look different compared to each other. The easiest way to achieve this is to make 5 hexagons concurrently with all following the same color order BUT starting with a different color. For example: The color order is Color 1, Color 2, Color 3, Color 4, Color 5.
Hexagon 1: Color 1 = Color A, Color 2 = Color B, Color 3 = Color C, Color 4 = Color D, Color 5 = Color E
Hexagon 2: Color 2 = Color A, Color 3 = Color B, Color 4 = Color C, Color 5 = Color D, Color 1 = Color E
Hexagon 3: Color 3 = Color A, Color 4 = Color B, Color 5 = Color C, Color 1 = Color D, Color 2 = Color E
Hexagon 4: Color 4 = Color A, Color 5 = Color B, Color 1 = Color C, Color 2 = Color D, Color 3 = Color E
Hexagon 5: Color 5 = Color A, Color 1 = Color B, Color 2 = Color C, Color 3 = Color D, Color 4 = Color E
With the next set of 5 hexagons, change the overall color order to a different order and follow the order for Hexagons 1-5. Effectively, the hexagon look changes with that. The yarn usage for each color would be the same and you would have the same amount of solid hexagons in each color (if doing smaller hexagons is the plan).
Sets of the same Blooming Flower Hexagons
Follow the same color order for all sets of 5 hexagons so you use the same color order every time so that you have sets of hexagons that are the same AND the yarn usage is the same. This means you would make the same color order hexagon the desired number of times (3 of each Hexagon order from above example).
Number of Hexagons Notes
With 10 skeins of yarn, you should be able to make 30 8 inches hexagons (solid or Blooming Flower) OR 15 11 inches hexagons. This would use up ALL the yarn most likely. It is recommended to make 24-25 of the 8 inches hexagons or about 10-12 11 inches hexagons.
In addition, after making a few Blooming Flower Hexagons start to decide about the layout of the whole blanket so that you can plan for how you want it to eventually look. If the color order of the hexagons are changing to keep the yarn usage equal, aim for finishing the first skein of all the colors (maybe all your Blooming Flower Hexagons without the extra rounds) THEN start finalizing your design with what you have left.
Blooming Flower Hexagon
Notes:
~ All stitches are worked in the back loop only unless noted otherwise.
~ Every round is worked with the same side facing you.
~ Every round is closed with the invisible join- which means the color is fastened off on the last stitch and is NOT slip stitched to the first stitch. See stitch guide for steps of invisible join.
~ See Color Combinations section for explanation of order of colors and options for whole blanket
Round 1: With Color A- Create a magic ring, ch 2 (counts as hdc), 11 hdc in ring, fasten off. Work invisible join in 2nd hdc. [12 hdc]
Round 2: With Color B- sl st into any sp, ch 1 (counts as sc and throughout), sc in same sp, 2 sc in each sp around to last sp, fasten off. Work invisible join in 2nd sc. [24 sc]
Round 3: With Color C- sl st into the first sc of any 2-sc group, ch 1, *dc in front lp of next corresponding hdc in Round 1**, sc in each of the next 4 sp, repeat around from * ending last rep at **, sc in next 3 sp, fasten off. Work invisible join in first dc. [24 sc, 6 dc] {Note for round: every other lp in Round 1 is picked up here}
Round 4: With Color B- sl st into any dc, ch 1, *sc in next sp, tr in front lp of next corresponding hdc in Round 1, sc in next 2 sp, tr in front loop of same hdc in Round 1 holding previous tr (create V shape from same sp), sk next sp**, sc in next sp (dc from round 3 sp), repeat around from * ending last rep at **, fasten off. Work invisible join in 2nd sc. [24 sc, 12 tr or 6 “V”’s] {Note for round: every other lps not picked up in the previous round is picked up here}
Round 5: With Color D- sl st into any sp, ch 1, sc in each sp around, fasten off. Work invisible join in 2nd sc. [36 sc]
Round 6: With Color C- sl st into any sp corresponding to the left leg of the “V” in Round 4, ch 1, sc in next sp, *fp tr around corresponding dc from Round 3**, sc in next 6 sp, repeat from * around ending last rep at **, sc in next 4, fasten off. Work invisible join in 2nd sc. [36 sc, 6 fp tr (extending columns out from Round 3)]
Round 7: With Color E- sl st into any tr, ch 1, *sc in next 3 sp, dt2tog over two corresponding front lp spaces in Round 2 (base of dt2tog is between the “V” from Round 4)**, sc in next 4 sp, repeat from * around ending last rep at **, sc in next 3 sp, fasten off. Work invisible join in 2nd sc. [42 sc, 6 dt2tog with base between the “V” from Round 4]
Round 8: With Color B- sl st into 2 spaces before any dt2tog sp, ch 1, sc in next sp, *fp dt2tog around first then second legs of “V” from Round 4, sk Round 7 dt2tog sp**, sc in next 7, repeat from * around ending last rep at **, sc in next 5 sp, fasten off. Work invisible join in 2nd sc. [42 sc, 6 fp dt2tog with each leg extending columns from Round 4 into center of petal]
Round 9: With Color A- sl st into 2 spaces before any dt2tog sp, ch 1, sc in next sp, *dt2tog over corresponding front lps from Round 4 tr legs (front lp of first leg then front lp of second leg- these are BEHIND the columns created in Round 8), sk next st, sc in next 3 sp, (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in next sp**, sc in next 3 sp, repeat from * around ending last rep at **, sc in next sp, fasten off. Work invisible join in 2nd sc. [66 sc (11 sc/side), 6 dt2tog with leg base behind columns from previous round, 6 ch-2 sp to form corners of hexagon]
Round 10: With Color C- sl st into first sc of corner cluster, ch 1, sc in next sp, *(sc, ch 1, fp dt around corresponding column from Round 6, ch 1, sc) in corner ch-2 sp**, sc in next 11 sp to next corner, repeat from * around ending last rep at **, sc in next 9 sp, fasten off. Work invisible join in 2nd sc. [78 sc (13 sc/side), 6 fp dt extending columns from Round 6, 12 ch-1 sp with one on either side of the fp dt at corners]
Round 11: With Color D- sl st into any sc prior to first corner ch-1 sp of any corner, ch 1, *(sc in first ch-1 sp, ch 2, sc in next ch-1 sp) for the corner**, sc in next 13 sp, repeat from * around ending last rep at **, sc in next 11 sp, fasten off. Work invisible join in 2nd sc. [90 sc (15 sc/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Round 12: With Color D- sl st into any sc prior to ch-2 corner sp, ch 1, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch 2 sp**, sc in next 15 sp, repeat from * around ending last rep at **, sc in next 14 sp, fasten off. Work invisible join in 2nd sc. [102 sc (17 sc/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Weave in all ends.
If desired to make hexagons larger and skip solid hexagons entirely, continue to the next section (Expanded Hexagons). If solid hexagons of the same size are desired, skip the next section and go to the Solid Hexagons pattern.
Expanded Hexagon
After completing the Blooming Flower Hexagon, rounds can be added to make the hexagon larger (less hexagons to sew together!). Both loops are worked in these rounds to create a flatness in the extension. Work in the back loop only if desired but each round would need to be fastened off and the invisible join worked to keep the front loop lines around neat.
Round 13: Either with Color D (last color worked with) OR with a different color if desired, sl st into any sp (picking up both loops), ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in each sp around with (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner ch-2 sp, sl st to first sc. [114 sc (19/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Round 14: ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in each sp around with (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner ch-2 sp, sl st to first sc. [126 sc (21/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Round 15: Repeat Round 14. [138 sc (23/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Round 16: ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in each sp around ch 2 OVER each corner (no stitches in ch-2 sp at corners), sl st to first sc. [126 sc (23/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Variation: You can continue with the rounds if even larger hexagons are desired!
Solid Hexagon
Round 1: With any color- Make magic ring, ch 2, 12 hdc in ring, sl st to first hdc. [12 hdc]
Round 2: ch 1, sc in same sp, *2 sc in next sp**, sc in next sp, repeat from * around ending last rep at **, sl st to first sc. [18 sc]
Round 3: ch 1, 2 sc in same sp, *sc in next 2 sp**, 2 sc in next sp, repeat from * around ending last rep at **, sl st to first sc. [24 sc]
Round 4: ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in next 2 sp, *2 sc in next sp**, sc in next 3 sp, repeat around from * ending last rep at **, sl st to first sc. [30 sc]
Round 5: ch 1, sc in same sp, *ch 2**, sc in next 5 sp, repeat around from * ending last rep at **, sc in next 4 sp, sl st to first sc. [30 sc (5/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Round 6: ch 1, sc in each sp around with (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner ch-2 sp, sl st to first sc. [42 sc (7/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Round 7: Repeat Round 6. [54 sc (9/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Round 8: Repeat Round 6. [66 sc (11/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Round 9: ch 1, sc in each sp around with ch 2 OVER each corner ch-2 sp (no increases or sc in ch-2 sp), sl st to first sc. [66 sc (11/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Round 10: Repeat Round 6. [78 (13/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Round 11: Repeat Round 6. [90 (15/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Round 12: Repeat Round 6. [102 (17/side), 6 ch-2 sp]
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
HALF Blooming Flower Hexagon
After completing the majority of the hexagons and the arrangement for your blanket is mostly decided, determine the number of half hexagons needed to fill in the gap on the top/bottom of the blanket (see Connecting Hexagons section).
Three petals and two corner columns are worked here. The split skips out on the corner column along the halfway line due to the stitches. The goal is to have 3 sides that are the same number of stitches per side as the main hexagon pattern.
Row 1: With Color A- Create a magic ring, ch 2 (counts as hdc), 5 hdc in ring, fasten off. [5 hdc]
Row 2: With Color B- sl st into first sp, ch 1, 2 sc in each sp around to last sp, fasten off. [10 sc]
Row 3: With Color C- sl st into first sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in next 2 sp, dc in front lp of 2nd sp in Round 1, sc in each of the next 4 sp, dc in front lp of 4th sp in Round 1, sc in next 3 sp, fasten off. [10 sc, 2 dc]
Row 4: With Color B- sl st into first sp, ch 1, tr in front lp of 1st sp in Round 1, sc in next 2 sp, tr in front loop of same hdc in Round 1 holding previous tr (create V shape from same sp), sc in next 2 sp, tr in front lp of 3rd sp in Round 1, sc in next 2 sp, tr in front loop of same hdc in Round 1 holding previous tr, sk next sp, sc in next 2 sp, tr in front lp of 5rd sp in Round 1, sc in next 2 sp, tr in front loop of same hdc in Round 1 holding previous tr, fasten off. [10 sc, 6 tr or 3 “V”’s]
Row 5: With Color D- sl st into first sp, ch 1, sc in each sp around, fasten off. [16 sc]
Row 6: With Color C- sl st into first sp, ch 1, 2 sc in next same sp, sc in next 4 sp, fp tr around corresponding dc from Round 3, sc in next 6 sp, fp tr around corresponding dc from Round 3, sc in next 4 sp, 2 sc in last sp, fasten off. [18 sc, 2 fp tr (extending columns out from Round 3)]
Row 7: With Color E- sl st into first sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in next 2 sp, *dt2tog over two corresponding front lp spaces in Round 2 (base of dt2tog is between the “V” from Round 4), sc in next 7 sp**, repeat from * to ** one more time, dt2tog over two corresponding front lp spaces in Round 2, sc in next 3 sp, fasten off. [20 sc, 3 dt2tog with base between the “V” from Round 4]
Row 8: With Color B- sl st into first sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in next 2 sp, *fp dt2tog around first then second legs of “V” from Round 4, sk Round 7 dt2tog sp, sc in next 7**, repeat from * to ** one more time, fp dt2tog around first then second legs of “V” from Round 4, sk Round 7 dt2tog sp, sc in next 3 sp, fasten off. [20 sc, 3 fp dt2tog with each leg extending columns from Round 4 into center of petal]
Row 9: With Color A- sl st into first sp, ch 1, 2 sc in first sp, sc in next 2 sp, *dt2tog over corresponding front lps from Round 4 tr legs (front lp of first leg then front lp of second leg- these are BEHIND the columns created in Round 8), sc in next 3 sp, (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in next sp, sc in next 3 sp**, repeat from * to **, dt2tog over corresponding front lps from Round 4 tr legs, sc in next 2 sp, 2 sc in last sp, fasten off. [31 sc, 3 dt2tog with leg base behind columns from previous round, 2 ch-2 sp to form corners of hexagon]
Row 10: With Color C- sl st into first sp, ch 1, 2 sc in same sp, sc in next 9 sp, (2 sc, ch 1, fp dt around corresponding column from Round 6, ch 1, sc) in corner ch-2 sp, sc in next 11 sp to next corner, (sc, ch 1, fp dt around corresponding column from Round 6, ch 1, 2 sc), sc in next 9 sp, 2 sc in last sp, fasten off. [39 sc (13 sc/side), 2 fp dt extending columns from Round 6, 4 ch-1 sp with one on either side of the fp dt at corners]
Row 11: With Color D- sl st into first sp, ch 1, 2 sc in same sp, sc in next 12 sp, (sc in first ch-1 sp, ch 2, sc in next ch-1 sp) for the corner, sc in next 13 sp, (sc in first ch-1 sp, ch 2, sc in next ch-1 sp) for the corner, sc in next 12 sp, 2 sc in last sp, fasten off. [45 sc (15 sc/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Row 12: With Color D- sl st into first sp, ch 1, 2 sc in same sp, sc in next 14 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch 2 sp, sc in next 15 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch 2 sp, sc in next 14 sp, 2 sc in last sp, DO NOT fasten off. [51 sc (17 sc/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Finishing: With same yarn from row 12, ch 2. Then, working along bottom, place a sc in each row across with 3 extra at center (2 sc for each hdc row and one for center) to the beginning of row 12, ch 2, sl st to first st of row 12. [27 sc across base of half hexagon] Fasten off and weave in ends.
HALF Expanded Hexagon
After Row 12: Continue with the same yarn from row 12 and skip finishing step (for now).
Row 13: TURN, ch 1, (picking up both loops now) 2 sc in first sp, sc in each sp to corner sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner sp, sc in each sp to next corner, (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner, sc to last sp, 2 sc in last sp [57 sc (19 sc/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Row 14: Repeat Row 13. [63 sc (21 sc/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Row 15: Repeat Row 13. [69 sc (23 sc/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Row 16: Turn, ch 1, sc in each sp to corner, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, sc in each sp to next corner, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, sc in each sp to end of row. [69 sc (23 sc/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Work Finishing across bottom of half hexagon (35 sc total across bottom). Fasten off and weave in ends.
HALF Solid Hexagon
Row 1: With any color- Make magic ring, ch 2, 6 hdc in ring, turn. [6 hdc]
Row 2: ch 1, *sc in sp, 2 sc in next sp**, repeat from * to ** 2 more times, turn. [9 sc]
Row 3: ch 1, *2 sc in sp, sc in next 2 sp**, repeat from * to ** 2 more times, turn. [12 sc]
Row 4: ch 1,* sc in next 3 sp, 2 sc in next sp**, repeat around from * to **, turn. [15 sc]
Row 5: ch 1, sc in next 5 sp, ch 2, sc in next 5 sp, ch 2, sc in next 5 sp, turn. [15 sc (5/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Row 6: ch 1, 2 sc in first sp, sc in each sp around with (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner ch-2 sp to last sp, 2 sc in last sp, turn. [21 sc (7/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Row 7: Repeat Row 6. [27 sc (9/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Row 8: Repeat Row 6. [33 sc (11/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Row 9: ch 1, 2 sc in first sp, sc in each sp around with ch 2 OVER each corner ch-2 sp (no increases or sc in ch-2 sp), turn. [33 sc (11/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Row 10: Repeat Row 6. [39 (13/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Row 11: Repeat Row 6. [45 (15/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Row 12: Repeat Row 6. [51 (17/side), 2 ch-2 sp]
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Connecting Hexagons
When all FULL hexagons are completed, determine your arrangement and use the invisible seam technique to connect sides. The best way to look at the arrangements of the hexagon is to create columns one at a time. Columns are offsetted by a half of a hexagon each time so every other column top/bottom sides line up and the between column hexagons top/bottom lines up with the side points.
The sides of the blanket will not have a large ripple. The top/bottom of the blanket will and this is where half hexagons can be added to fill the gaps- making the top/bottom of the blanket straight-edged.
Border
After connecting the hexagons, a border can be added. One option is to complete just one round of single crochet in each sp with (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner and sc2tog at each valley to just bring everything together. Alternatively, complete more rounds depending on the amount of yarn left.
Pattern Declaimer
This is a paid pattern originally designed for a Yarn Bits Shop subscription box.
You have permission to sell any item made from this pattern. However, you are not allowed to resell, distribute, duplicate, or share this pattern or downloads in any printed or digital form (in full), or to claim the pattern as your own original design. If you want to sell or share a picture of your work from this pattern, please clearly credit the design to me: Lauren Samar of Yarn Bits Shop (with link to the website when applicable).
Occasionally a mistake or typo falls through, please report them via email (help@yarnbitsshop.com) and the pattern will be updated accordingly.