Forget boring old granny squares! Take your tried and true granny stitch skills to a totally new shape. Read on to learn how to crochet a granny hexagon using simple stitches.
(Please forgive us for calling granny squares boring and old. We didn’t really mean it!)
HOW TO CROCHET A GRANNY HEXAGON
MATERIALS:
- Scrap yarn: To practice, start with a smooth, solid-colored worsted or DK yarn in three different colors. Once you get the hang of the technique, you can start working with other yarns.
- A crochet hook that matches the weight of yarn you are using
- Scissors
- Darning needle for the ends
- Blocking supplies
CROCHET STITCHES FOR GRANNY HEXAGONS
- Chain – ch
- Slip stitch – sl st
- Double crochet – dc
We’ll bet you recognize all those stitches! This crochet hexagon uses many of the techniques and stitches that you’d find in a traditional granny square. If you already know how to crochet granny squares, once you get going with a hexagon, it won’t take long to get the hang of it.
For this tutorial, we’re using a different color yarn for every round, which makes it easier to see the granny motif come to life. That said, you can absolutely stick with one color or use two colors. Instead of fastening off at the end of the round, simply start the next round with your working yarn.
ROUND 1
Start by making a magic loop, or chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Ch 2 (these chains do not count as a stitch), and then 12 dc into the ring. Close with a slip stitch or a neat join. fasten off and weave in the ends.
ROUND 2:
Join the next color yarn into any stitch. Ch 3 (this counts as one dc), then 1 dc into that same stitch. This is the half of the first point.
Skip the next stitch. *2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc* into every other stitch around the circle.
When you’ve made five points and are approaching the ch 3 that started this round, 2 dc and 1 ch into the same space where you joined the yarn. Then close the round with a sl st. Fasten off and weave in your ends.
ROUND 3:
Join the next color yarn into a chain space at one of the points. Ch 3 (these count as a dc), then dc into the same chain space
*Skip 1 ch space, 3 dc into the next ch space (this makes the flat side of the hexagon). 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc into the ch space at the next point. Repeat from * four more times.
At the end of the round, 2 dc and ch 2 into the same space where you joined the yarn. Close the round with a slip stitch, fasten off and weave in ends.
GROWING THE GRANNY HEXAGON
From here, you can make your crochet granny hexagon even larger if you like. Simply repeat Round 3, adding more granny stitches (3 dc clusters) along the flat sides of the hexagon.
BLOCKING YOUR GRANNY HEXAGON
At this point, your hexagon might look a little, well… floppy and sad. That’s OK! Blocking is an easy solution to give your motifs sharp corners and crisp edges.
You can use the same method you would to block traditional granny squares. Be sure to put blocking pins in each of the six corners, and use plenty along each edge as well.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH CROCHET GRANNY HEXAGONS?
The more hexagons you crochet, the more possibilities you have! You could make anything from a bag to a skirt, but the most popular project for granny hexagons is an afghan.
Regardless of how you decide to use your hexagons, you’ll need to join them.
JOINING GRANNY HEXAGONS
Any method that you’d use to join granny squares, you can use for hexagons too! Our favorite, though — especially for afghans or blankets — is the join as you go method. This technique adds one round of granny stitches to the motif while simultaneously joining it to another motif.
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