Popcorn Flower Hexagon: Pattern

Over the past few weeks I have finished a number of projects (small and large), resulting in a basket full of scrap yarn (story of my life!). 

I prefer working with a Hexagon motif when I am using scraps - they just seem to lend themselves to a random mishmash of colour.     When I make squares my brain insists on there being a pattern or some kind of order!

I started out making a few popcorn flowers:

and then making them into Hexagons, joining as I went:

POPCORN FLOWER HEXAGON PATTERN

PATTERN TERMS:    US

HOOK:    5.00MM

YARN:   An assortment of DK Acrylic yarn

Foundation:   4ch, sl st to join OR make a magic ring;

Row 1:  3 ch (counts as 1 dc):  11 dc into circle (12 dc); sl st into top of 3ch to join;

Row 2:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into top of  same dc;  [2dc into top of next dc (2dc group)] x11;  sl st into top of 3ch to join = 24dc

Row 3:  Join yarn in any space between a 2dc group;   3ch (counts as 1dc), 4dc into same space as join; form popcorn, 2ch;  (popcorn stitch into space between next 2dc group, 2ch) x 11;   sl st into top of first popcorn to join

NOTE:   A Popcorn Stitch is formed by crocheting 5dc then removing the hook from the last loop, inserting the hook front to back on the first dc, and again into last loop, yoh and pull through.  

If you need a bit of help with the popcorn stitch you can find a photo tutorial HERE 

Row 4:   Join yarn in any 2ch space between popcorns,  6ch (counts as 1dc, 3ch), 2dc into same space;  [2dc into next space;   (2dc, 3ch, 2dc = corner into next space)] x5;  2dc into next space;  1dc into start space;  sl st into 3rd chain to close.

Row 5:   Sl st into 3ch space;   3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc, 3ch, 2dc into same space;    [(2dc into next space) x2;   (2dc, 3ch, 2dc = corner into next space)] x5;  (2dc into next space) x2;  sl st into top of 3ch at start to close.

I used the join-as-you-go method to join my motifs (you can use whatever method you prefer).   

You can find a tutorial for the join-as-you-go HERE 

Another thing I like about making a hexagon scrapghan is that I can fold it away, and add on as and when I have a few scraps.     

When it is big enough I just add a border and I have a colourful surprise made up of bits and pieces of other projects finished over a couple of weeks!

The Roxi Slouchy Beanie: Pattern

Last Tuesday, instead of paying attention to the piles of WIP's lying on my table, I was determined to make something with a rather ugly ball of variegated yarn that had been driving me insane for a few days! 

I had tried it with so many different patterns, and no matter what I did, it was just too ugly to look at!

After multiple froggings I decided to mix the variegated with a solid red yarn and attempt to make a slouchy beanie. 

My beautiful youngest daughter modelling her slouchy beanie:

 

I made another one mixing the variegated yarn with a solid cream for my other beautiful daughter, Dani. 

 

I used a bit of the variegated yarn making two HIBISCUS BLOOMS to decorate the beanies (if I had not done this I probably would have managed to make both from 100g of the variegated yarn)

"THE ROXI SLOUCHY" PATTERN

Pattern Terms:
My patterns are all written in US terms - I have included this little chart to make it easier for my UK readers to reference the difference in stitch terms.
 

Materials:   
50g - 60g of variegated DK plus 50g - 60g of solid DK

DK (8ply) is equivalent to US Light Worsted Weight yarn.  Working with a double strand of DK (8ply) gives you a 16ply yarn (Super Bulky).

Hook Sizes:  9.00mm;  8.00mm and 6.00mm

Size:   Medium Adult 

Using a 9.00mm hook:

Foundation:   4ch, sl st to form circle OR make a magic circle 

Row 1:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 11 dc into circle (12 dc), sl st into top of 3ch to join

Row 2:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 2dc into each of next 11dc (24dc), sl st into top of 3ch at start to join

Row 3:  3ch (counts as 1 dc), 1dc into next dc;  2dc into next dc;  (1dc into each of next 2dc;   2dc into next dc) x7, sl st into top of 3ch at start to join (32 dc) 

Row 4:  3ch (counts as 1 dc), 1dc into each of next 2dc;  2dc into next dc, (1dc into each of next 3dc, 2dc into next dc) x7, sl st into top of 3ch at start to join (40dc) 

Row 5:  3ch (counts as 1 dc), 1dc into each of next 3dc;  2dc into next dc, (1dc into each of next 4dc, 2dc into next dc) x7, sl st into top of 3ch at start to join (48dc)

Row 6:  3ch (counts as 1 dc), 1dc into each of next 4dc;  2dc into next dc, (1dc into each of next 5dc, 2dc into next dc) x7, sl st into top of 3ch at start to join (56dc)

At this point the diameter of the circle is 21cm

Row 7:  3ch (counts as 1 dc), 1dc into same dc as join ("v" formed),  skip next dc;   [2dc into next dc ("v" formed), skip next dc] all around, sl st into top of 3ch at start to join

Row 8:  sl st into space between 2dc of 1st "v", 2ch (counts as 1hdc), 1hdc into same space ("v" formed), (2hdc into space between 2dc ("v" formed) of next "v"), all around sl st into top of 3ch at start to join 

Row 9:  sl st into space between 2dc of 1st "v", 3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into same space ("v" formed), (2dc into space between 2dc of next "v"), all around sl st into top of 3ch at start to join

Rows 10 - 21 - Work as follows:

Rows 10; 12; 14; 16; 18 and 20 repeat Row 8

Rows 11; 13; 15; 17; 19 and 21 repeat Row 9

The length from the bottom of Row 7 to the top of Row 21 should be 20cm 

The length from the crown of the beanie to the top of Row 21 should be 28cm 

Switch to using a 8.00mm hook:

Row 22:   1ch (counts as 1sc); 1sc into each space between dc; sl st into 1ch at start to join; 

Rows 23 - 24:  1ch (counts as 1sc);  1sc into each sc;   sl st into 1ch at start to join;   Break off yarn. 

EDGING:
Using only 1 strand of yarn (I used the solid colour) and a 6.00mm hook join yarn with a sl st in any sc; 2ch;  (sl st into next sc;   2ch) repeat around ending with a sl st into start sl st to join.   Break off yarn.

Diagonal Double Crochet / C2C Double Crochet

Being a bit of a neat-o-holic, scraps are a bane on my existence. I find myself emotionally and mentally unable to hoard them until I have enough to make something spectacular! The "crafter" in me is also unable to throw them away. So yesterday afternoon's scrap tackling was a "magic-knot everything together and make a Diagonal Double Crochet / C2C Double Crochet" effort (a blankie for my daughter's new kitty).

I could not find a pattern for this so I just made up my own and I am happy to share it with you!! 

Diagonal Double Crochet / C2C Double Crochet Square

5ch to Start (first corner)
1 dc, 1ch, 1dc into 5th ch from hook, turn

The start and the side increases

Increase Row
4ch, 2dc into 1ch sp at beginning of row
1 dc into top of each dc of previous row - repeat to 1ch sp at end of row; 1dc, 1ch, 1dc into that 1ch sp at end of row

This row now gets repeated until the blanket is as long and wide as you would like it (measured across the sides - not the diagonal)

Decrease Row
3ch, 1dc into 3rd dc from hook (second corner formed), 1dc into each dc across row;   skip last 2dc;  1dc into sp at beginning of previous row (third corner formed)

Repeat this row until only 3dc left.

Final Row
4ch, 1dc into sp at end of row.
Fasten off.

Side Decreased and Final  Row

Now add your favourite border and embellish as you choose - delight in the fact that you have so few ends to sew in!!

Granny Stripe Scrapghan

Had quite a bit of yarn left when I was done with the Daisy Afghan (here) - enough to make a Granny Stripe Scrapghan

This was supposed to be a Rainbow blanket - followed  the Rainbow - ROY G BIV  - with the colours I had but in the end it did not look much like a rainbow.     Just too sad!

I used a plain granny stripe for the centre and crocheted a plain black granny border all around.

Into the pile of blankets to be donated.    Perfect size for a baby blanket (not sure about the colours though?), or a lapghan for an elderly person.