Original pattern was designed by Betty Barndon, Machine Knit Today, March 1993. Pat Tittizer modified it to make the hexagon points "sharper" and the centers less bulky.

With gauge of 7 sts and 10 rows per inch, each hexagon measures 6" across. The example afghan has 28 full hexagons and 4 half hexagons. It measures 24” by 36”, excluding crocheted edge.

Original Pattern Instructions (edited for clarity)

HEXAGON

Push 24 needles to work. Using waste yarn, cast on and knit a few rows ending carriage on the left. Change to main yarn and knit one row.

Row counter 0. Set carriage for hold and push 21 needles at left to hold (leaving 3 needles next to the carriage in work).

**[Knit 1 row. wrap, knit 1 row. Push 3 needles at left to work] repeat instructions in brackets 7 times in all. All needles are now in work. Knit 2 rows. Carriage on the right.

[Push 3 needles at L to hold and knit 1 row, wrap, knit 1 row] repeat instructions in brackets 7 times in all. 21 needles are in hold at left. Carriage on the right. ** Row counter shows 30.

Rep from ** to ** 5 more times. Row counter shows 180. CAR. Turn off hold and knit 1 row. With garter bar or waste yarn, turn hexagon over and rehang. Pick up loops of first row in main yarn and hang evenly on to corresponding needles. Cast off. Using end of yarn from cast on edge (at center), gather up center of hexagon 2 sts in from edge, pull excess fabric tightly to back side of work and secure.

 

HALF HEXAGON

Push 24 needles to work. Using waste yarn, cast on and knit a few rows ending carriage on the right. Change to main yarn and "e" wrap cast on from left to right. Work as specified for hexagon from ** to ** 3 times total. Turn off hold and knit 1 row. Cast off.

 

TO MAKE UP

Join hexagons and half hexagons as shown in diagram. Pin out carefully, on a flat surface and steam press to correct measurements.

CROCHET EDGE

With right side of work facing, using a 3mm crochet hook, start at one corner. Work in double crochet all round edge; on short sides take approximately 2 sts for every 3 sts of knitting; on long sides take approximately 1 st for every 2 rows and at outward corners work 3 times into the same place, whilst at inside corners work 3 sts together. End first round with a slip stitch into first double crochet.

Second round: Work in double crochet. Increase 2 sts at each outward corner and decrease 2 sts at each inside corner as before.

Third, fourth and fifth rounds: Work as given for second round.

HEXAGON VARIATIONS

A lacy hexagon will result if short rows are not wrapped. Colors can be introduced either at completion of each triangle section, or for more color, each half triangle section. There are a lot of potential color arrangements within the pattern. Many quilting books have examples of block arrangements.

Modified Pattern Instructions

 

GENERAL CHANGES

• When sewing the center seam, gather the edge stitch only. Do not pull too tightly.

• Use “sew as you go” to join the individual pieces on the machine. No hand sewing required!

• It is easier to join an edge after it has been steamed flat.

 

 

VERSION 1

Change the number of needles moved in and out of hold position as follows: start with 22 needles in hold. Knit the 2 rows, then move 2 into work, then 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2 (all in work). After knitting the two rows with all needles in work, use the following to move needles into hold: 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2. This returns you back to 2 needles in work and a row count of 32.

 

VERSION 2

Instead of hold position, I used the “automatic wrap” method of knitting with the part buttons and a stitch pattern.

Start with waste yarn as before. End with carriage on left. Set machine for pattern knitting with KC II (no end needle selection). Knit 1 row over all needles. Push in both part buttons, and knit to row 193 (6 repeats). Turn off pattern and knit 1 plain row over all stitches.