© 2008 by Megan Mills
Email: megan@kiwi.gen.nz
Photos & history @ /RosyHex
Web page created 11th May 2008

Malmaison
Hexagonal Rosy Motif

This hexagonal motif has been adapted from the ‘A Blanket of Roses Afghan’ which has an octagonal motif. Joining octagons requires you to make square motifs as well to fill in the holes. If you’d rather work just one motif then the hexagon is ideal. It has enough repeats to show the radial design and fits together perfectly, like the cells in honeycomb.

Abbreviations (British terminology alongside in parenthesis)
chchain
scsingle crochet (dc double crochet)
hdchalf double crochet (htr half treble)
dcdouble crochet (tr treble)
trtreble crochet (double treble)
sl stslip stitch
st(s)stitch(es)
begbeginning
togtogether
yohyarn over hook
decdecrease done by working the individual sts up to the last two loops only and then at the end of the combination drawing through all loops on the hook to finish.
*this symbol indicates that the directions immediately following are to be repeated a given number of times
Special Stitches
htrhalf treble (yoh x 2, poke through indicated st and draw through a loop, yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook, yoh and draw through 3 loops on hook).
4-dc4 dc bobbles (1 dc, 3 dc into bottom of this dc, remove hook from loop and reinsert in first dc, draw loop through, ch 1 tightly).

A Note on Joining-Motifs-As-You-Go
On the final round decide where you need to join to another motif. Work the stitch you’ll want to join. Drop the loop from the hook. Pull it up through the top of the stitch you want to join it to on the other motif. Work the next stitch on your current motif. Repeat. You will get a very tidy attractive seam that is as flexible as the rest of your work. You can vary this if you like by pulling the loop down through the top of the stitch you want to join to. This produces the reverse effect and is very nice in its own right. (Aha! If you just thought that this must mean both sides of your work will look good using this method you are right).

Stitch Gauge
I have given you the size I achieved with this yarn. Your motif may vary in size but don’t worry about that. Aim for a motif that lies flat and looks pretty and then just make as many as you need to achieve the desired size for your project.

Materials
Cleckheaton Machinewash 8 Ply Crepe. It is grown and spun in Australia and has about 100m (110 yards) per ball. 1 x 50 gr in each of burgundy (A), pink (B), green (C) and white (D) or any colour-way of your choice in a suitable Double Knitting (knitting worsted) yarn will do – as long as you love it. You’re making an heirloom so you want to be sure it feels good, looks good and lasts well!
1 5mm (H or 8) hook
1 Tapestry needle

Gauge
Each hexagon measures approximately 8 inches across.

Pattern
Start with a ring made by wrapping the tail of the yarn clockwise around your finger or thumb three times. You will start the first of your chain by drawing the working end up through the ring to form the first loop. At the end of your first round you can tighten the ring to the perfect size.

Round 1: With Colour A ch 3, 4 dc in ring, remove hook from loop, insert hook in 3rd st of ch 3 and draw loop through, ch1 tightly, ch 4, *5 dc in ring, remove hook from loop, insert hook in first dc and draw loop through, ch 1 tightly, (bobble made), ch 4, repeat from *, join – 3 bobbles and 3 ch 4 spaces.

Round 2: *In next ch space work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1hc, 1 sc (petal), ss in top of bobble, repeat from * 2 times more, join. Fasten off.

Round 3: With right side facing you, join Colour B in back at top of bobble. Holding petals forward, *ch 4, 1 dc between bobbles on Round 1, ch 4, sl st at back at top of next bobble. Repeat from *, ending ch 4, sl st in first sc where you started round to join - 6 ch 4 spaces.

Round 4: In ch 4 loops work petals all around working a ss into the top of each dc between petals, join - 6 Colour B petals. Fasten off.

Round 5: With right side facing you, holding petals forward, join Colour C in any junction between Colour B petals, *ch 8 loosely and then, working in the back ridge, 1 sc in 2nd st from hook, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 1 htr, 1 tr, holding petals forward 1 ss at next junction between petals. Repeat from * all around, join - 6 leaves.

Round 6: Ss in next st, *6 sc on side of next leaf, (1sc in side of last sc) 3 times, 6 sc on other side of same leaf, skip 2 sts. Repeat from * all around, join. Fasten off.

Round 7: With right side facing you, join Colour D in center sc at point of any leaf and do 2 sc in same st, *1 hdc, 1dc, 1 dc/htr dec, 1 tr, 1 tr dec over next 4 sts (by missing centre 2), 1 tr, 1 htr/dc dec, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 3 sc in next st. Repeat from * around, ending last repeat 1 sc in point of leaf, join.

Round 8: 2 sc in same space, *1 hdc, 2 dc, 1 htr, 1 htr/tr/htr dec over next 3 sts, 1 htr, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 3 sc in next st. Repeat from * around ending with 1sc in next sc. Join.

Round 9: Ch 4, 1tr in same sp, *skip 1 st, 1 htr, 2 dc, 3 4-dc, 2 dc, 1 htr, skip 1 st, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next st. Repeat from * around ending with 2tr, ch 2, join to 4th ch at beginning of round. Fasten off.

Round 10: Join in Colour A in any 2 ch space. 3ch, 1dc, *1dc in every stitch to the next corner. (2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc) in the 2 ch space. Repeat from * around ending with 2 dc in the 2 ch sp, 2ch, join. Fasten Off.

Round 11: Join in Colour B halfway along any side. Work 1 sc in every stitch along the sides and 3 sc in each 2 ch space. Fasten Off. Tidy away all your ends.


© 2008 by Megan Mills
Email: megan@kiwi.gen.nz
Photos & history @ /RosyHex
Web page created 11th May 2008