Hexagon Gem Afghan

Materials:

• Caron International's Simply Soft Eco (80% Acrylic, 20% NatureSpun™ Polyester)
  • 12 oz (A), shown in #0012 Wine Country
  • 12 oz (B), shown in #0024 Ocean
  • 22 oz (C), shown in #0032 Plum Perfect
• One size US I-9 (5.5mm) crochet hook
• One size US J-10 (6mm) crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Pattern

Gauge: In double crochet using smaller hook, 12 sts and 6 1/2 rows = 4" / 10 cm. One hexagon measures about 17" / 43 cm at widest point.

Abbreviation: hdc2tog – Half double crochet 2 together = [Yarn over, insert hook in next st and draw up a loop] twice, yarn over and draw through all 5 loops on hook.

Special Technique: Adjustable-ringmethod = Wrap yarn into a ring, ensuring that the tail falls behind the working yarn. Between finger and thumb, grip ring and tail firmly. Insert hook through center of ring, yarn over (with working yarn) and draw up a loop. Yarn over and draw through loop on hook (chain stitch made). Work stitches of first round in the ring. After the first round of stitches is worked, pull gently, but firmly, on tail to tighten ring.

Instructions:

Notes:

1. Hexagons are worked in joined rounds. Join, but do not turn at the end of each round. Each round begins with an sc and a ch 2. This (sc, ch 2) counts as the first dc of the round. When joining, join into the top of the ch-2.

2. To change color when joining a round: insert hook in beginning ch-2 of round, yarn over with new color and draw through both loops on hook. Fasten off old color.

Hexagon (17)

With smaller hook and A, form an adjustable ring.
Round 1: With A, sc in ring, ch 2, 11 dc in ring; join with sl st in top of beginning ch-2—12 dc. Pull gently, but firmly, on tail to tighten ring.
Round 2: With A, ch 1, (sc, ch 2, dc) in same st as join, [dc in next dc, 3 dc in next dc (corner made)] 5 times, dc in next dc, dc in same st as first sc; join with sl st in top of beginning ch-2—24 dc.
Round 3: With A, ch 1, (sc, ch 2, dc) in same st as join, [dc in next 3 dc, 3 dc in next dc] 5 times, dc in next 3 dc, dc in same st as first sc; join with sl st in top of beginning ch-2—36 sts.
Round 4: With A, ch 1, (sc, ch 2, dc) in same st as join, [dc in next 5 dc, 3 dc in next dc] 5 times, dc in next 5 dc, dc in same st as first sc; join with sl st in top of beginning ch-2—48 sts.
Round 5: With A, ch 1, (sc, ch 2, dc) in same st as join, [dc in next 7 dc, 3 dc in next dc] 5 times, dc in next 7 dc, dc in same st as first sc; join with sl st in top of beginning ch-2—60 sts.
Round 6: With A, ch 1, (sc, ch 2, dc) in same st as join, [dc in each dc to next corner, 3 dc in corner dc] 5 times, dc in each remaining dc around, dc in same st as first sc; join with sl st in top of beginning ch-2 and change to B—72 sts.
Rounds 7–9: With B, repeat Round 6 three times and change to C at end of Round 9—108 sts.
Rounds 10–12: With C, repeat Round 6 three times—144 sts.
Fasten off.

Finishing: Arrange motifs as shown in assembly diagram. Sew or crochet motifs together.

Edging:

With smaller hook, join C with sl st anywhere in edge of throw.
Round 1: Ch 2, work hdc in each st around, working 3 hdc in each outer corner, and working hdc2tog over each inner corner; join with sl st in first hdc.
Round 2: Repeat Round 1.
Round 3: Change to larger hook, working loosely and in back loops only, sl st in each st around; join with sl st in first st. Fasten off.
Weave in ends.