YoYo Hexagons with ZigZags

April 2021 BlanketBox

YoYo Crochet is a fun technique that creates joining “balls” by working the bottom half of the yoyo with the first round/row off the working chain then the second, top half of them on the other side of the working chain with the second round/row. It can be used to create different projects with rows or rounds. In this pattern, hexagons are created with rounds of yoyo, joined to create the center column, then rows are worked to create the zigzag rows off the column center. Since the hexagons are easily modified for other blankets, there’s notes at the end for joining hexagons for a full blanket of these fun YoYo hexagons!  

 

In this box, there is: 

  • 11 or 15 skeins of Bernat Baby Softee Cotton Yarn in four colors- $83 or $112
  • ChicGoo Crochet Hooks Size G – $4 OR Different skein if hook was not desired 
  • Ammee’s Babies TotoBag FiberShield Yarn Dispenser- $12 or $15 
  • Exclusive Pattern and Support- $10

Plus all Yarn Bits Shop Subscribers Perks!

Color and Size Blanket Notes

For the Throw Sized box (11 skeins) and Large Throw Sized box (15 skeins), the color notes are the same. Color A-C are the solid colors and the order of the solid colors is up to you since they’re the same amounts per skein. Color C only has one round in each hexagon and therefore the hexagons does not use a full skein like the other two colors will. The hexagons use up about the same amount of yarn of Color A and B. Lastly- Color D is the variegated yarn with one less skein available compared to each of the solid colors. 

 

For the sizing and design overview, the hexagons are created and joined together in a row to create the length. Then the ripple rows (zigzags) are added to either side of the hexagons to create width in rows. For the Throw Sized Box, there are 4 hexagons created (~58 inches long after joined) and for the Large Throw box, there are 5 hexagons created (~72 inches long). After the hexagons are joined, each set of rows (one row of the same color on either side of the hexagons strip) add about 3 inches of width and the zig zags are worked until there is not enough yarn left. At the end of the pattern booklet, there are notes for an alternative design of all hexagons with the same hexagon pattern and no zigzag rows. 

Stitches/Abbreviation Guide:

Yarn Over (yo); Space (sp); Stitch (st); Skip (sk); Loop (lp)

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

Double Crochet (dc): yo, insert hook into target sp, yo and pull through sp, yo and pull through two lps on hook two times

Small Shell (sm shell): 3 dc in same sp

Medium Shell (med shell): 9 dc in same sp

Large Shell (lg shell): 12 dc in same sp

Join: drop loop from hook, insert hook into sp indicated, pick up dropped loop and pull through

Valley Joining YoYo Shell: 

  1. 2 dc in next ch on working ch, 
  2. sk next 2 dc on same yoyo (from previous round), 
  3. join in next dc on same yoyo, 
  4. sm shell same sp as last dc on working ch, 
  5. join in 3rd dc on next yoyo from previous round (on other side of “valley” between yoyos), 
  6. 2 dc in same ch as last dc on working ch

Corner YoYo Shell: 

  1. 2 dc in next ch on working ch,
  2. Sk next 2 dc on same yoyo (from previous round, corner yoyos have 3 joining points)
  3. Join in next dc on same yoyo
  4. Sm shell in same sp as last dc on working ch

ZigZag Joining Shell: 

  1. 4 dc in next ch on working ch
  2. Join to 5th dc (center dc) of joining yoyo (on hexagon column or previous zigzag row)
  3. 4 dc in same sp as last dc on working ch

ZigZag Valley Joining Shell:

  1. 4 dc in next ch on working ch
  2. Join to 5th dc of first valley yoyo (on hexagon column or previous zigzag row)
  3. 3 dc in same sp as last dc on working ch
  4. For set-up row: Join to 5th dc to the left of next sc on second valley yoyo (on hexagon column) ensuring the number of dc skipped at center are the same on both joining yoyo. 
  5. OR For zigzag rows: skip center of previous row’s joining shell, Join to 5th dc to the left of next sc on second valley yoyo ensuring the number of dc skipped at center are the same on both joining yoyo. 
  6. 4 dc in same sp as last dc on working ch

ZigZag Peak Joining Shell:

  1. Complete ZigZag Joining Shell on first side of peak yoyo, joining to 5th dc on peak yoyo
  2. Sk next 2 sp on working ch, sc in next ch, sk next 2 sp
  3. 3 dc in next ch,
  4. Sk next 2 sp on working ch, sc in next ch, sk next 2 sp
  5. Skip 2 dc on peak yoyo and complete ZigZag Joining Shell on 2nd side of peak yoyo, joining to 5th dc to the left from next sc

Pattern Notes

Gauge Notes: 

Each yoyo is ~1.5 inches in diameter. 

Each hexagon prior to joining round is 11 inches from edge to opposite edge/13 inches from corner to opposite corner. 

Each ZigZag row set adds about 1.5 inches on either side of the column. 

 

Pattern is completed with size G Crochet Hook. 

 

For all working chains- keep tighter chains creates less of a gap at center of yoyos

 

YoYo Hexagon Prior to Joining

YoYo Hexagon Without Joining Rounds

Dimension of Hexagon: 11 inches from edge to opposite edge or 13 inches from corner to opposite corner

Make all hexagons needed for the blanket with the following pattern. Joining Round is in the next section for the first hexagon and following hexagons. 

Round 1: 
  • With Color A, ch 3 
  • 18 dc in 3rd ch from hook
  • Sl st to first dc, fasten off. 
Stitches Count: 18 dc // one yoyo completed

Round 2: 
  • With Color B, ch 36
  • 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (first 2 ch count as dc)
  • Join to any dc from round 1, sm shell same sp as last dc (on working ch)
  • *Sk next 2 ch, sc in next, sk next 2 ch**
  • 2 dc in next sp, sk next 2 dc on round 1, join in next dc on round 1, sm shell in same sp as last dc (on working ch)
  • Repeat from * around, ending at **
  • Sl st to 2nd ch of beg ch
  • Do not turn 
Stitches Count: Bottom proportion of 6 yoyos, each with 5 dc and evenly spaced around Round 1 yoyo

Round 3: 
  • *Lg shell at center of yoyo (bottom of sm shell from previous round) 
  • sk next 2 ch, sc in next (same as previous round but other side of ch), sk next 2 ch
  • Repeat from * around to beg
  • Sl to first dc of first lg shell
  • Fasten off color B
Stitches Count: 6 yoyos completed, each with 17 dc around

Round 4:
    • With Color C, ch 72
    • 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook
    • Join to 6th sp to the left of any sc worked (sp left of center on yoyo) last round
    • Sm shell in same ch as last dc on working ch (first corner completed)
    • *[Sk next 2 ch, sc in next, sk next 2 ch]
    • Valley Joining YoYo Shell** (see stitches guide)
    • Repeat []
  • Corner YoYo Shell (see stitches guide)
  • Repeat from * around, ending on **
  • Sk next 2 ch, sc in last ch
  • Sl st to top of beg ch
  • Do not turn 
Stitches Count: 6 corner yoyo shell, 6 valley joining yoyo 

Round 5: 
  • *Med shell at center of yoyo (bottom of valley joining shell from previous round) 
  • sk next 2 ch, sc in next (same as previous round but other side of ch), sk next 2 ch
  • Lg shell at center of yoyo (bottom of corner corner shell from previous round)**
  • sk next 2 ch, sc in next (same as previous round but other side of ch), sk next 2 ch
  • Repeat from * around, ending at **
  • Sl to first dc of first shell
  • Fasten off color C
Stitches Count: 12 yoyos completed, each with 16 dc for edge yoyos and 17 dc for corner yoyos

Round 6:
    • With Color B, ch 108
    • 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook
    • Join to 6th sp to the left of sc on any corner yoyo from previous round
    • Sm shell in same ch as last dc on working ch (first corner completed)
    • *[Sk next 2 ch, sc in next, sk next 2 ch]
    • Valley Joining YoYo Shell** (see stitches guide)
    • Repeat [], Repeat Valley Joining YoYo Shell, Repeat []
  • Corner YoYo Shell (see stitches guide)
  • Repeat from * around, ending on **
  • Sk next 2 ch, sc in last ch
  • Sl st to top of beg ch
  • Do not turn 
Stitches Count: 6 corner yoyo shell, 12 valley joining yoyo 

Round 7: 
  • *Med shell at center of yoyo (bottom of valley joining shell from previous round) 
  • [sk next 2 ch, sc in next (same as previous round but other side of ch), sk next 2 ch]
  • Med shell at center of yoyo, Repeat []
  • Lg shell at center of yoyo (bottom of corner corner shell from previous round)**
  • Repeat []
  • Repeat from * around, ending at **
  • Sl to first dc of first shell
  • Fasten off color 
Stitches Count: 18 yoyos completed, each with 16 dc for edge yoyos and 17 dc for corner yoyos

Round 8:
    • With Color A, ch 144
    • 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook
    • Join to 6th sp to the left of sc on any corner yoyo from previous round
    • Sm shell in same ch as last dc on working ch (first corner completed)
    • *[Sk next 2 ch, sc in next, sk next 2 ch]
    • Valley Joining YoYo Shell** (see stitches guide)
    • Repeat {Repeat [], Repeat Valley Joining YoYo Shell} two times then Repeat [] 
  • Corner YoYo Shell (see stitches guide)
  • Repeat from * around, ending on **
  • Sk next 2 ch, sc in last ch
  • Sl st to top of beg ch
  • Do not turn 
Stitches Count: 6 corner yoyo shell, 18 valley joining yoyo 

Round 9: 
  • *Med shell at center of yoyo (bottom of valley joining shell from previous round) 
  • [sk next 2 ch, sc in next (same as previous round but other side of ch), sk next 2 ch]
  • Repeat {Med shell at center of yoyo, Repeat []} two times
  • Lg shell at center of yoyo (bottom of corner corner shell from previous round)**
  • Repeat []
  • Repeat from * around, ending at **
  • Sl to first dc of first shell
  • Fasten off color 
Stitches Count: 24 yoyos completed, each with 16 dc for edge yoyos and 17 dc for corner yoyos

YoYo Hexagon Joining Rounds

For first hexagon only:  

Round 10:

    • With Color D, ch 180
    • 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook
    • Join to 6th sp to the left of sc on any corner yoyo from previous round
    • Sm shell in same ch as last dc on working ch (first corner completed)
    • *[Sk next 2 ch, sc in next, sk next 2 ch]
    • Valley Joining YoYo Shell** (see stitches guide)
    • Repeat {Repeat [], Repeat Valley Joining YoYo Shell} three times then Repeat [] 
  • Corner YoYo Shell (see stitches guide)
  • Repeat from * around, ending on **
  • Sk next 2 ch, sc in last ch
  • Sl st to top of beg ch
  • Do not turn 

Stitches Count: 6 corner yoyo shell, 24 valley joining yoyo 

 

Round 11:

  • *Med shell at center of yoyo (bottom of valley joining shell from previous round) 
  • [sk next 2 ch, sc in next (same as previous round but other side of ch), sk next 2 ch]
  • Repeat {Med shell at center of yoyo, Repeat []} three times
  • Lg shell at center of yoyo (bottom of corner corner shell from previous round)**
  • Repeat []
  • Repeat from * around, ending at **
  • Sl to first dc of first shell
  • Fasten off color 

Stitches Count: 30 yoyos completed, each with 16 dc for edge yoyos and 17 dc for corner yoyos

 

After the first hexagon has Round 10 and 11 completed, the next hexagon can be joined to the first hexagon. 

 

For the second hexagon and on, the hexagons are being connected in a column by working the “top” of the hexagon to the bottom (opposite side) of the last one. 

Round 10: SAME as above

Round 11 (Joining Round):

  • *Med shell at center of yoyo (bottom of valley joining shell from previous round) 
  • [sk next 2 ch, sc in next (same as previous round but other side of ch), sk next 2 ch]
  • Repeat {Med shell at center of yoyo, Repeat []} three times
  • Lg shell at center of yoyo (bottom of corner corner shell from previous round)**
  • Repeat []
  • Repeat from * through 3 edges and 2 corners, stopping at 3rd corner.
  • In the 3rd corner: 7 dc at center of yoyo, join to 7th dc on corresponding corner of hexagon being joined to this one (7 dc “exposed” on side for BOTH hexagons), 5 dc in same sp on working hexagon
  • For each of edge yoyo: 4 dc at center of yoyo, join to 5th dc of corresponding edge yoyo on joining hexagon, 4 dc at center of yoyo. 
  • In 4th corner: 5 dc at center of yoyo, join to 5th dc on corresponding corner of joining hexagon, 7 dc in same sp on working hexagon
  • Repeat from * around, ending at **
  • Sl to first dc of first shell
  • Fasten off color 

Stitches Count: 30 yoyos completed with two corners and the edge in between connected to a hexagon. 

YoYo ZigZag Rows

After the hexagons are joined in a column, the zigzag rows are added to either side of the column to add width. It is recommended to work the next color choice on BOTH sides of the column prior to moving to the next color/row on one side to ensure the symmetry and the usage of the yarn evenly. This is more necessary when on the last skein of yarn for each color. 

Set-up Row 1:

  • With color of choice, ch 294 for 4 hexagon columns or 366 for 5 hexagon columns
  • 4 dc in 3rd ch from hook
  • Join to 5th dc from the left of next sc on corner yoyo at top/bottom of hexagon column on one side
  • 4 dc in same sp as last dc on working ch
  • [sk next 2 ch, sc in next, sk next 2 ch]
  • Complete ZigZag Joining Shell 4 more times to peak yoyo with [] after each
  • *Complete ZigZag Peak Joining Shell at peak, Repeat []
  • Complete ZigZag Joining Shell 5 times to valley with [] after each**
  • Complete ZigZag Valley Joining Shell with 2 skipped dc on both valley yoyos, Repeat []
    • NOTE: This is the main difference between the set-up row and the following zigzag row 1. For set-up row, the center of the valley is the joining of the two hexagons and the join is worked on both. For the following rows, the center is skipped and the join is worked on the previous round’s Joining Shells only (skip all dcs from Valley Joining Shell). 
  • Complete ZigZag Joining Shell 5 times to peak yoyo with [] after each
  • Repeat from * across one column side, ending at ** at corner of hexagon with sl st in last ch on working ch
  • Do not turn

Stitches Count: 49 bottom proportion of yoyos for 4 hexagon columns, 61 for 5 hexagon columns

 

ZigZag Row 2: 

  • Sk 2 ch on working ch 
  • Working across row with [sk next 2 ch, sc in next (same as previous round but other side of ch), sk next 2 ch] between each center
    • Work Med shell at center of yoyo for sides
    • Work lg shell at peaks yoyo centers
    • Work sm shell at valley yoyo centers
  • Sl st to top of beg ch from previous round, fasten off

Stitches Count: 49 completed yoyos for 4 hexagon columns, 61 for 5 hexagon columns

 

Continue adding rows on either side of the column with ZigZag Row 1 (below) and Row 2 (above) in color order desired until there is no yarn left. 

Extra Notes for All Hexagon Blankets

The YoYo Hexagon without Joining Round section pattern is the same for all Hexagons with this technique. So if desired, you can make hexagon motifs and join them to make full hexagon blankets. The size of the hexagon is easily modified by removing or adding rounds in sets of two. The beginning chain is always 36 more chains than the previous round’s beginning chain and the main difference between sets of rounds is the number of  Valley Joining YoYo Shell completed per side of the hexagon. 

When working a full hexagon blanket, the joining round in this pattern is good for joining top to bottom of hexagons but if making a full blanket of hexagons is desired, joining a corner to two-already-joined-corner is another consideration. For corners- the total dc is always 12. 

For those joins, complete (at corner): 5 dc, join to 5th dc of corresponding yoyo on first hexagon to be joined, 2 dc in same sp as last dc (center of yoyo), sk next 2 dc on next hexagon corner to be joined, join in next dc, 5 dc

For pattern help, please email help@yarnbitsshop.com or post in Subscribers Only Facebook Group!

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.

 

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