A hexagon

Hexagon

Good day to all. Today I am going to tell you how to make a hexagon. Crocheted hexagon also has 6 sides and it has the same geometric shape that you learnt in your math lesson in grade eight. But when you think about crochet, hexagons are more attractive than granny squares. So, hexagons may give a gorgeous look to your project what ever you made. 

So, learn this free and easy-to-do crochet hexagon pattern and think to start your big project. It may be a blanket or a market bag. I wish you to start it soon. 

First you can practice in making the hexagon. After practicing you can make a lot of hexagons and use them to make different items like table mats, table runners, Blouses, bags, blankets etc. 

First you  have to calculate the needed number of hexagons for your  project and prepare them all.Then join them to get the needed product. 

Hexagons can be made using different crochet stitches like bobble stitch, puff stitch, popcorn stitch, 3 dc together stitch etc. The size of the hexagon depends on the thickness of your yarn. So, to have big hexagons use thick yarns. With big hexagons you can quickly complete your project.

Further,  you can get nice colour combinations according to your wish. This can be done by changing colours when starting a new round. After joining all the hexagons together you will be able to have a nice overall colour pattern.So, choose the colours carefully. 

Joining of hexagons can be done in different ways. it is easy to join using single crochets. 

If you are making a blanket it is easy to join. You will have seams of the blanket with Zig -Zag like design. But for a blouse or a bag you have to think of their shape and join.

Instructions for the hexagon

 First, make a slip knot and then make 6 chains. Then insert the hook into the first chain and make a slip stitch. Then you have a ring of 6 chains. 

Round 1: Then make 3 chains and make 2 dcs into the ring of 6 chains. Then again make 3 chains and make 2 dc into the ring. Then "3ch, 2dc" repeat until you have 6 sets of 2dcs. Then make a slip st. to the 3rd chain of the 3ch at the beginning.

2nd round: Join another colour to any space of 3 chains. Then make chains and make 2 incomplete dcs, then 3 chains and make 3 incomplete dcs into the same space. 3ch, 3 incomplete. dcs, 3ch, 3 incomplete dcs to the next ch 3 space."3ch, 3 incomplete dc, 3ch 3 incomplete dc" until you have  6 pairs of 3 incomplete dcs At the end join the 3rd chain of the beginning 3 ch

3rd round: Join any ch 3space between 3 incomplete dcs and make 3 chains and 2 three incomplete. dcs to the space. of 3ch and one 3 incomplete dcs to the chain 3 space in the middle of the  3 incomplete dcs incomplete dcs. Repeat to the end of the round. At the end join the 3rd chain of the beginning 3 chains.

Round 4: Join another colour and make 3 ch and 2 dcs to the chain 3 space. Again 3dcs to the next space. Then we have to make the corner. To make it, make 3dcs and make 2 ch and again make 3 dcs .*3dc, 3dc, then at the corner (3dc, 2ch, 3dc)* Repeat to the end.

Final round: Make 1ch and 1sc into each dc below. At each corner make 2scs to the chain1 space in the corner. At the end join with slip stitch to the ch1 made at the beginning of the row.

 A table mat, done with another type of hexagon

                              

               Here is a link for more crochets  https://startcrochet.com/

A free pttern, broad lace to decorate different items

                         

Half-finished broad lace

  A Broad lace, suitable for surface attachment. You can try this free broad lace crochet pattern using any type of yarn. But if you are going to attach it to blouses or tops use thin cotton or silk yarn. If it is for a table cloth, tea-poy cover or a bedspread use somewhat thick yarn. 

Broad laces are more suitable for surface attachment you have to use your creativity in choosing the way of attaching the lace on the selected item. If it is for a top you can attach it from the middle of the shoulder to the hem lengthwise or otherwise crosswise over the hem. 

You can attach this to the middle part of a sleeve. You can do it after removing the middle part of the sleeve length wise or crosswise. Then as for removed part you can attach the lace. Then the sleeve will be look very beautiful with its lacy nature.  So, you can attach this lengthwise or crosswise not only on your sleeves but on tops, skirts, or tablecloths.

When you want to decorate a hem with this type of broad lace you can attach it over the hem instead of attaching it along the edge of the hem. 

Further, you have to select the colour of the crocheting yarn to goes with the colour of the item you think to decorate.You can use a light colour for the table cloth and dark clour for the lace. For example, beige and brown, light blue and dark blue, light green and dark green etc. 

If the item is a table cloth you can attach the lace to get an attractive design. 

Material: cotton or silk yarn. Do not use wool yarn. hooks select according to the thickness of the yarn. For fine threads use 1 mm hook size. When the thickness of yarn gradually increases, you can increase the hook size also as 1.5 mm , 2 mm , 2.5 mm etc.

Crochet abbreviations: 

ch- chain

sc- single crochet

dc- double crochet

Shell- *3dc, 1ch, 3dc* (a shell).

V stitch- *1dc, 1ch, 1dc* (a V stitch)

Instructions for the Pattern

Make 16 chains, then to the 4^th chain from the hook make *3dc, 1ch, 3dc* (a shell).

Then make 3 chains, skip 5 chains and to the 6^th ch make a shell as given above. 3 ch, skip 5 ch and to the last chain make a shell. Make 3 ch, Turn.

Row 2: Make a shell in the shell below.ch 3, and make 8 dcs in the shell below. ch 3, shell in the shell below. Ch3, turn.

Beginning of row 3

Row 3: Shell in the shell below. ch 1, make 1 dc in between 2 dcs below. *ch 1, 1 dc* Repeat. (There should be 7 dcs and 6 ch1 spaces), Shell in the shell below. Make 3ch, Turn.

Beginning of row 4

 Row 4: Make a Shell in the shell below. Make 2 dcs in each of the ch 1 spaces below. (Altogether 12 dcs or 6 pairs of dcs) Shell in the shell below. Ch3, turn.

Beginning of row 5

Row 5: Make a shell in the shell below. Make 5 ch and skip 3 pairs of d cs and at the middle make 1 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc.(V stitch) 5 ch, shell in the shell below. Ch 3, turn.

Beginning of row 6

  Row 6: Repeat row 2

Beginning of row 7

                                  

Row 7 Repeat row 3

Row 8: repeat row 4

Row 9: repeat row 5

Row 10: Repeat row 2

Row 11: Repeat row 3

Row 12: repeat row 4

Row 13: repeat row 5

You can decide the length of the lace as your wish.

 

Fabric and crochet table mats

finished product

                     Crochet for fabric table mats.

We can make fabric doilies or table mats with crochet edges. Actually, it has more advantages than having a fabric centre because if you want you can add padding to the fabric part and it is more important when you keep hot things on them.

Before adding a crochet edge we have to make the fabric part. The fabric part can be plain or printed cotton material. If you take a printed material take a yarn that goes with its prominent colour. If you are taking plain colour fabric get the yarn with the same colour but somewhat darker than the fabric.

To make this cut the needed shape (rectangle or round shape) according to the needed measurements and keeping sewing allowances bout ¼”. In this tutorial, I have taken the round shape. I have taken a round of 8 ” diameter and ¼” for sewing allowances.

Make two identical rounds of fabric with a diameter of 8 and ¼” and another round with a diameter of 8” for padding material. (A very thin sponge is suitable.)

First, keep the round of padding material on a flat surface, then over it paste one fabric round to face right side up. Then keep the other fabric round on it with the wrong side up. Then sew together only on the two fabric pieces using 1/4 ” seam allowance. Keep 2” space at the end of the round without sewing. Then trim extra seam allowance until you have 1/8"  Then make small cuts towards the sewing line. 

Then through the gap turn it over to the right side. Then sew the gap neatly.

Now the fabric part is ready. Then to make a crochet edge you have to use a crochet hook with a fine hook [hook size should be about (1mm)] because you have to pierce the fabric to make the foundation row.

Joining round to the fabric:  Join the yarn to the fabric part with single crochet (sc). Then make 5 chains and again 1sc to the fabric edge. *3ch 1sc* Piercing the cloth and making single crochets    

Round 1: Chain 5  *1dc, 2ch, 1dc* repeat throughout the round. Then make 3ch at the end and join to the 3^rd chain o the beginning 5 ch with a slip stitch. 

halfway of the first round 

 Round 2: Make 5 chains and make a dc to the same place. 2ch, 1dc to the next dc below. 2ch, 1 dc to the next dc below.2ch, 1dc to the same place.

(1dc, 2ch, 1dc) this is known as “V” stitch).

 *2ch, 1dc, 2ch (1dc, 2ch, 1dc)* Repeat from * to

In the end, join with an sl.st. to the 3^rd ch of the beginning ch 5

                             

Making* "V" stitch,2ch, 1dc *into each of the dc below 

Round 3: 

3ch and make 2 dcs into the ch 2 space, then make 2ch and another 3dcs to the same space. Then skip the dc below and add 3dcs into the “V” stitch, ch 2 another 3dcs to the same space.

*  (3dcs, ch2, 3dcs,) = shell 

*shell, skip 1dc*,

Repeat from * to* until you come to the end. At the end join with a sl. st. to the next dc Make 2 more sl. sts into each of the 2 dcs below.

                                              

Adding shells into each of the V stitches below 

 Round 4:  *Make 3 chains, add 5 dcs into the ch 2 space below. Then make 3chs and make a picot, chain 5and make a picot chai 3 and make a picot, then add 5dcs to the same space below. 

Make 3 chains and join to the dc below with single crochet. Make ch5 and join to the chain 2 space of the shell below with single crochet, chain 5 and join to the chain 2 space of the shell with single crochet.

halfway of round 4

                                                  

another design of crochet edge

Printed fabric with crochet edge

 

Padding material very thin sponge

  

  

Crochet to decorate Necklines

                 To decorate the Neckline of a top

I

Finished  collar 

 This can be attached to the neckline of an already sewn top or blouse. It lays flat along the neckline. The width of the collar can be taken according to the yarn you select. If you want a thin and narrow collar, you have to use a yarn with less diameter. 

Foundation chain: Measure the neckline of your blouse or top and make chains to cover that length. Then make five more chains.

Row 1: Make 1 dc into the 6^th chain from the hook. Then make *1ch, 1dc* repeat from *to* to the end. Turn

Row 2: Make 5 ch and 1sc into the next dc below. *5ch, 1sc* repeat from *to* until you reach the end. At the end make 2ch and 1 dc to the 3rd ch of the 5ch made at the beginning. Make 1sc onto the same dc below. ] Turn.

Row 3 of the sample

Row 3: Then make 5ch and make 1sc into the middle of the 5 ch below. *5ch, 1sc* repeat from * to repeat from *to* until you reach the last 5 chains. Then make 2 chains and join to the 3rd chain of the  5 chains below with an sc. Turn

4^th Row: Make 5 ch and make 1sc into the middle of the ch 5 space below. *5ch, 1sc* repeat. When you finish the last ch 5 space make 2ch and make 1 dc into the sc below. Make 1 sc to the same place. Turn

5^th row: Make 5ch, make 1 sc into the middle of the 5ch below. Then make 1dc to the next ch 5 space, ch1, 1dc to the same space. *1ch, 1dc* repeat from * to * 5 more times. (Altogether there should be 7 dcs in the space of ch 5).

5th row of the sample 

  [** Join to the next ch 5 space with an sc. *Ch 5 sc to the ch 5 space below*. Repeat from * to *one more time. Then make 1dc to the next ch 5 space. *1ch, 1dc* repeat from * to * 6 more times. **] Repeat from [** to **] until you come to the end. At the end make 5 ch and join with sc to the 3^rd ch of the 5 ch below.

6^th Row: Make 5 ch and make 1 sc to the ch 5 space below. Then make *1dc, ch1, 1dc* (V stitch) to the 1^st dc below. Repeat from * to *. (You should have 7 “V” stitches.). Then join to the 5ch space below with an sc. ch 5, 1sc to the next 5ch space. 

** 1d,ch1,1dc, to each of the 7 dcs, then 1sc to the ch 5 space, ch 5, 1sc to the ch 5 space  **  Repeat from ** to **until you finish with V stitches.  Then join to the ch 5 below with sc. Then make 2ch and make 1dc to the sc below. Turn

7^th Row:  Make 2 ch and make 3 dc 3 together into ch1 space of the “V” stitch. “3ch, 3dc 3together, 3ch”. Repeat until you finish 7 sets of 3 dc 3 together. Then make 3 ch and make 1 sc in the middle of the ch 5 space. Turn.

7th row of the sample 

 8^th Row: Make 2 sc into the ch 3 space, make 3 ch and make a picot. Then 2sc s to the same space and 1 sc on top of the 3dc together stitch. * 2 sc, 3ch picot, 2sc, 1sc* repeat, until you reach the end. Then fastened off.

8th row of the sample 

                                  

                             

 

 

     

 

 

 

crochet tote bag

 finished bag

  Bags are very important in our day-to-day life. We should have

 different types of bags to carry for different purposes. There are so many different types of materials used in making bags. Cotton fabric, denim, rayon, canvas, polypropylene even leaves of plants like jute, Musa, and plants of genus Pandanus. In early Sri Lanka, they use more eco-friendly natural materials for bag making. For ladies small bags made out of pandanus and havan leaves are famous.

Gunny bags made out of jute fiber are used to carry huge loads. They were available in every size. To carry a huge amount of harvests like paddy wheat, potatoes produced in cultivating fields farmers use these. Nowadays most bags are made out of synthetic materials like polypropylene.

As ladies and housewives, we always need to carry a somewhat big bag like a tote bag with us. So, when we come to crochet we have both selections natural and synthetic. If we need a natural product we can use cotton yarn. If we use acrylic yarn it will be a synthetic product. A crochet bag gives a unique appearance to a woman as an accessory because it is a handmade one with a beautiful design. Here is an easy pattern for a crochet tote bag.

Now let’s do our project in making the crochet bag. You can use yarn as your preference. But cotton yarns are easily entangled with dirt and difficult to wash away and take time to dry.

First, we have to think of the size of our bag. I have shown the bottom of the bag here to show you how to get the measurement. Herewith my yarn I have taken the length of the foundation chain as 13” and its ended up with a width equal to 15” or 38cms.

Frist make a long chain by counting and measuring it to see it has the needed length. Then get the nearest number of multiple of 7. That is the final number of chains should be divided by 7. Further, it should be an even number, that is should be divided by 2 also. For example 168 chains, 182 chains, 196 chains, etc.

Actually, the thickness of the yarn also affects the size. If you want a big bag you can use thick yarn and then you can have somewhat less number of chains. If the yarn is thin you have to make more chains to get a large-sized bag.

 Now you have the foundation chain. 

Round1: Make 3 dc into the third chain from the hook. Then make I double crochet (dc) to each of the remaining chains except the last chain, into the last chain make 6 dcs. Then work on the backside of the foundation chain. Make 1 dc into each of the chains and into the last chain make 3 dcs. Then join the first chain with a slip stitch.

 2:  Chain 2, make 2dc to each of the next 3 stitches. Then

 make 1 dc along each of the next dcs until you come to the set of

 6dc stitches. Then make 2dc into each of the 6 dc. Then make 1dc

 along each of the next stitches until you come to the set of 3dc

 stitches. Make 2dc into each of the 3 dcs. Join the first dc with a

 slip stitch.

 3: Chain 2. Make *2dc,1dc* alternately 6 times to each of the next 6 stitches. Then make 1 dc along each of the next dcs. Then make *2dc,1dc* into each of the set of 12 dc. Then make 1 dc along each of the next dcs until you come to the 3 sets of 2dcs. Into each of these 6 dc make *2dc,1dc* alternately. Then join to the 1^st dc made.

 4: Chain 2, make 1dc (into the back loop) around and join with a slip stitch to the first dc made.

 5 and 6: ch 2 make 1dc around and join with a slip stitch to the first dc made.

Now the base/bottom of the bag is made.

     Pattern

Base/bottom 

                                                     For the pattern, we use two double crochet together stitch. (2dctog.)

How to do 2dc.tog. stitch: This is done into the V stitch of the previous row.

Yarn over insert the hook into the V stitch and pull up the yarn now

 you have 3 loops on the hook. Pull up the yarn and release 2

 loops.  Now you have 2 loops on the hook. Again yarn over, insert

 the hook and pull up the yarn and release 2 loops. Now you have 3

 loops on the hook. Pull through all three loops.

We should do it 4 times into the space of V stitch. In between each 2dc tog. stitch there should be 1 chain.

7: Make 5 chains and make 1 dc into the same stitch. Chain 5 skip 6dc. Dc in the next stitch, chain 2 dc in the same stitch. (V stitch) *Ch5, skip 6, (dc, ch2, dc )* repeat. From * to * around. Join with a slip stitch to the 3^rd chain of the 5 chains made at the beginning of the round.

 8: Make a slip stitch into the next chain 2 space. Ch 1 and make 2dc tog. stitch in the same stitch. Then make a dc in the middle (3^rd dc) of the skipped dcs. In to the next space of chain two(V stitch) make *Chain 1 2dc tog. stitch * repeat this 4 times. Then ch1, dc in the 3^rd skipped dc. *ch1, dc in the 3^rd skipped dc, ch1, (2 dc together x4) in the V stitch * Repeat around.  Now you have reached the 2 dc together stitch made at the beginning. Now add (chain 1, (2 dc together) 3 times to the same space. Join with a slip stitch to the first 2dc tog. stitch made at the beginning.

 9: Make a slip stitch into the next chain 1 space and then into the dc. Chain 5, dc in the same stitch, chain 5, skip the next (2 dc together x4) group. In to the next dc below, make * (dc chain 2 dc), ch 5, skip the next (2 dc together x4)   group*. Repeat from *to*around. Join with a slip stitch to the 3^rd chain of the beginning 5 chains.

10: Make a slip stitch into the next chain 2 space. Make a 2 dc together stitch in the same space. Chain 1, make a dc in the ch1 space at the middle of the 4, 2dc together group. Chain 1, into the V stitch  2 dc together x4.  * ch1,dc in the middle of the 4, 2dc together group, Chain 1, into the V stitch  2 dc together x4* Repeat around until you reach the V stitch with one 2dc together. Into this V stitch make *ch1, 2dctog.*3times. Join with a slip stitch to the first 2dc tog. stitch.

From Round 11, you can repeat round 9 and round 10 alternately to get the needed height.

                                      Top part and handles.

Now we have the final round which is similar to round 10. This is with an uneven upper edge and as the top, we have to make it even. To do this start from where you finished the last round.

 Make ch1 and single crochet in the top of dc 2 tog. stitch. Half double crochet in the next ch 1 space, dc, and ch 1 space. * 1 Sc in each of next 4 (dc 2tog.stitches.) (Do not make 1sc into the ch1 space between dc2tog.stitches.)  Hdc in the next ch 1 space, dc, and ch1 space* Repeat from * to *around.  Sc in the last three dc2 tog. stiches. Join with a sc to the first single crochet you made.

Next 4 rounds : Ch1 sc in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to the 1^st sc you made. Fasten off.

                                               Handles

Now we can make handles. These handles are not separately attached but continue with the top part.  

 Keep the bag on a flat surface and first select the places you are going to start the handles. From each side of the bag measure equal distance and mark it on both sides of the bag with stitch markers or simply with a piece of another colour yarn. Otherwise, you can count an equal number of 2dctog. groups from either side. (I have counted 6 groups from either side and marked them.) Now join the yarn to the marked stitch of one side and make a chain with a length of 19” or as your liking. (I have crocheted a shoulder bag to keep my hands free. So, handles should be rather long).

To avoid the twisting of this long chain, make 1 single crochet to the 2^nd chain from the hook and 1sc to each of the chains remaining. (Working backwardly along the chain). Then again make 1 sc into each of the sc along. Then join the free end of the long chain to the next marking of the same side of the bag. From there you should make single crochets until you reach the next marker of the other side of the bag.

Then start to make the long chain of 19” (2nd handle) and strengthen it by two rows of single crochets. Then join to the next mark of the same side. Then make single crochets along the top edge until you reach the attached point of the first handle. Work 1sc to each of the sc along with the handle. From there, make single crochets along the top edge, along with the 2^nd handle, and again the top edge. Likewise, make many rows and stop when you get the desired handle width. 

 You can attach a bunch of flowers to decorate the bag. In the next post, I will explain to you the crocheting of a flower.