Colours of Exmoor

Simply Squares Yarn and Notions Club

This blanket pattern has been inspired by Clare from The Stitching Hour and Lynzi from Hooking Marvelous Yarns. A couple of years ago now they did a yarn and notions subscription box called Simply Squares - Colours of Exmoor. This blanket is my take on their amazing work.

In each of the 12 sections, I have used the colour, information, and pattern from the box to inspire my hexagon pattern.

This post is quite long so here are links to each section:

My Take on the Pattern

What you need

If you want to make a full blanket, for each of these patterns you will need 100g of DK in each of the following colours:

  1. Pale Green
  2. Pale Blue
  3. Pale Grey
  4. Pale Yellow
  5. Teal
  6. Lilac
  7. Brown (Chestnut)
  8. Bright Green
  9. Dark Grey
  10. Bright Yellow
  11. Buff
  12. For joining and border I used 200g of pale pink/buff and 100g of bright pink.

Of course, these are just suggestions and you could use any yarn weight in any colour combinations you like. If you use a 4 ply you’ll get more smaller hexagons, if you use a heavier weight like aran, you’ll get fewer larger hexagons.

Obviously, you’ll need to change your hook size to match your yarn and tension. I used a 4mm hook but use whatever gives a nice drape without being too gappy.

A Bit about my Methods

The Magic Loop

I love a magic loop! It closes the centre of your hexagon super tight and gives a really nice finish… if you get it right. I know a lot of people who complain that they come loose, but I’ve never found that. So I want to share with you how I do mine, and hopefully you can find the same joy in the magic loop as I have.

First how to form the loop itself, and I have to admit that this might not be the most straight forward way but it works for me and is super quick:

{Video coming soon}

So now you have the loop, the imortant bit to keep it nice and tight is to work over the tail. Hold it like this:

{picture coming soon}

Finally just to be extra sure that everything stays in place I work the tail up the last stitch and work the next round over the tail again.

Let me know how you get on with this. If you have any questions, head on over to my facebook page.

The Chainless Starting Stitch

Another favourite of mine is the chainless starting stitch. Instead of chaining 2 or more at the start of the round create this little marvel instead and make the round changes almost invisible.

Here’s a [good blog from Moogly]{“https://www.mooglyblog.com/chainless-starting-double-crochet/”}
on how to do this.

In my patterns below, you will see that I jump straight into the round with the first stitch, using this method. You can replace the first stitch with a chain if you prefer, using the following conversions:

  • htr : ch2
  • tr : ch2
  • dtr : ch3

Fastening off

So again with the liking to hide the round ends… when I fasten off I like to loop the end of the yarn around the next stitch and back down through the last stitch to hide it. I think it also gives a bit of a firmer finish to the work and means that the loose end is at the back ready to weave in.

{picture coming soon}

Abbreviations

UK terms used throughout These are the common abbreviations used in all the patterns:

  • ML Magic Loop
  • ch chain
  • ch1sp/ch2sp chain 1 space/chain 2 space
  • dc double crochet
  • htr half treble
  • tr treble
  • dtr double treble
  • sl st slip stitch
  • sk skip

I give a few more below where they’re used in specific patterns.

As a general rule, if the number comes before the stitch then these are worked into the same place, if the number come after the stitch then do each one in the next stitch along.

Month 1 - On the Moor

Let’s jump right in to the first pattern.

  • mb Make bobble by working a treble 4 together all into the next stitch.
  1. ML, ch1, 6dc in loop, pull tight, join with sl st, ch 1.
  2. 2dc in each st around {12 sts}, join with sl st, ch 1, turn.
  3. (2dc in next st, dc) x6, join with sl st, ch 1, turn.
  4. (dc, 2dc in next st, dc) x6, join with sl st, ch 1, turn.
  5. (dc, 2dc in next st, dc2) x6, join with sl st, ch 1, turn.
  6. (dc2, 2dc in next st, dc2) x6, join with sl st, ch 1, turn.
  7. (dc2, 2dc in next st, dc3) x6, join with sl st, ch 1, turn.
  8. (dc3, 2dc in next st, dc3) x6, join with sl st, ch 1, turn.
  9. (dc3, 2dc in next st, dc4) x6, join with sl st, ch 1, turn.
  10. (dc4, 2dc in next st, dc4) x6, join with sl st, ch 1, turn.
  11. (dc3, mb, 2dc in next st, mb, dc3, mb) x6, join with sl st, ch 1, turn.
  12. (htr5, 2htr in next st, htr5) x6, join with sl st, fasten off.

Month 2 - Hazy Horizons

  • In this pattern your dc should sit on top of your tr, and your tr should sit on top of your dc.
  1. ML, ch1, 6dc in loop, pull tight, join with sl st, ch 1.
  2. (dc, tr) in next st, x6, join with sl st, ch1, turn.
  3. (2dc in next st, tr) x6, join with sl st, ch1, turn.
  4. dc, (tr, dc) in next st, tr, *rep from *6 times, join with sl st, ch1, turn.
  5. dc, 2tr in next st, dc, tr, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch1, turn.
  6. dc, tr, (dc, tr) in next st, dc, tr, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch1, turn.
  7. dc, tr, 2dc in next st, tr, dc, tr, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch1, turn.
  8. dc, tr, dc, (tr, dc), tr, dc, tr, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch1, turn.
  9. dc, tr, dc, 2tr in next st, (dc, tr) x2, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch1, turn.
  10. (dc, tr) x2, (dc, tr) in next st, (dc, tr) x2, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, fasten off.

Month 3 - Valley of the Rocks

  • SPK spike: insert hook between dc’s 2 rows below and 2sts to the right, yo, pull up a loop, yo, insert hook between dc’s 2 rows below and 2sts to the left, yo, pull up a loop, yo, and pull through all loops on hook. The spikes should be evenly spaced and centred around the top of the spike stitch.

  • fpdc front post double crochet

  1. ML, ch1, 6dc in loop, pull tight, join with sl st, ch 1.
  2. 2dc in each st around, join with sl st, ch 1.
  3. (2dc in next st, dc) x6, join with sl st, ch 1.
  4. (2dc in next st, dc2) x6, join with sl st, ch 1.
  5. (SPK, sk1, dc3) x6, join with sl st, ch 1.
  6. (dc3, 2d in next st) x6, join with sl st, ch 1.
  7. (dc4, 2dc in next st) x6, join with sl st, ch 1.
  8. (SPK, sk1, dc2, fpdc in spk from round 5, sk1, dc2) x6, join with sl st, ch 1.
  9. (dc2, 2dc in next st) x12, join with sl st, ch 1.
  10. (dc2, 2dc in next st, dc5) x6, join with sl st, ch 1.
  11. (SPK, sk1, dc1, 2dc in next st, dc1, SPK, sk1, dc4) x6, join with sl st, ch 1.
  12. (dc2, 2dc in next st, dc7) x6, join with sl st, ch 1.
  13. (dc2, 2dc in next st, dc8) x6, join with sl st, fasten off.

Month 4 - Fields of Gold

  • fptr front post treble crochet
  • mb Make bobble by working a treble 4 together all into the next stitch.
  1. ML, ch1, 6dc in loop, pull tight, join with sl st, ch 1.
  2. (tr, ch1, tr) in each st around, join with sl st, ch 1.
  3. fptr, (tr, ch1, tr) in ch1sp, fptr, ch1, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch 1.
  4. fptr2, ch1, fptr2, (ch1, mb, ch1, mb, ch1) in ch1sp, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch 1.
  5. fptr2, (tr, ch1, tr) in ch1sp, fptr2, (ch1, mb, ch1, mb, ch1) in ch1sp between bobbles on previous round, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch 1.
  6. fptr3, (tr, ch1, tr) in ch1sp, fptr3, (ch1, dc, ch1) in ch1sp between bobbles on previous round, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch 1.
  7. fptr4, (tr, ch1, tr) in ch1sp, fptr4, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch 1.
  8. fptr5, (tr, ch1, tr) in ch1sp, fptr5, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, fasten off.

Month 5 - Into the Deep

In this pattern the first stitch of each round is placed in the next stitch (the corner), rather than the stitch the ch1 is standing on as it would normally. This means that the last stitch is worked over the first ch1.

  1. ML, ch1, 6dc in loop, pull tight, join with sl st, ch 1.
  2. 2dc in each st around, join with sl st, ch 1.
  3. (2dc [makes the corner], dc) x6. join with sl st, ch 1.
  4. (2dc in corner, tr2) x6, join with sl st, ch 1.
  5. (tr, ch1, tr) in corner, dc3, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch 1.
  6. (tr, ch1, tr) in corner, dc5, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch 1.
  7. 2dc in corner, dc, (tr, ch1, sk1) x2, tr, dc, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch1.
  8. 2dc in corner, dc, 3fptr in first tr of previous round, dc in second, 3fptr in third, dc in dc before corner, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, ch1.
  9. 2tr in corner, htr, dc3, htr2, dc3, htr, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, fasten off.

Month 6 - Lilac Sunset

  1. ML, (tr2, ch1) x6 into loop, pull tight, join with sl st, turn.
  2. sl into ch1sp, (2tr, ch1, 2tr) in each ch1sp, join with sl st, turn.
  3. sl into sp between 2tr of last round, 2tr between 2tr of last round, (2tr, ch1, 2tr) in ch1sp, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, turn.
  4. sl into sp between 2tr of last round, 2tr between 2tr of last round, (2tr, ch1, 2tr) in ch1sp, 2tr between next 2tr of last round, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, turn.
  5. sl into sp between 2tr of last round, 2tr between 2tr of last round, (2tr, ch1, 2tr) in ch1sp, 2tr between next 2tr of last round, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, don’t turn.
  6. ch1, sk st on which ch1 stands, htr5, 3htr in ch1sp, htr5, rep from * 6 times [the last stitch of the round is worked over the first ch1*], join with sl st, fasten off.

Month 7 - Exmoor’s Finest

  1. ML, 12tr in loop, pull tight, join with sl st.
  2. 2tr, (tr, 3tr in next st) x5, tr into same place as first st of round, join with sl st.
  3. (5tr in corner, ch2, sk1, tr, sk1) x6, join with sl st, turn.
  4. (tr2, sk ch2sp, 5tr in next st, ch2, sk3) x6, join with sl st, turn.
  5. (tr2, tr in ch2sp, 5tr in next st, ch2, sk3, tr) x6, join with sl st, don’t turn.
  6. ch1, sk first st, (htr4, 3htr in next st, htr6) x6, [the last stitch of the round is worked over the first ch1], join with sl st, fasten off.

Month 8 - Verdant Vistas

  1. ML, 16tr in loop, pull tight, join with sl st.
  2. (tr, ch1) x16, join with sl st.
  3. (tr1, 2tr in ch1sp) x16, join with sl st.
  4. ch1, (dc, ch5, sl into fifth ch from hook, sk1, dc, ch2, sk1, dc, ch3, sk1, dc, ch2, sk1) x6, join with sl st.
  5. sl into ch5sp, *(5tr, ch3, 5tr) into ch5sp, dc in ch2sp, 3tr in ch3sp, dc in ch2sp, rep from * 6 times, join with sl st.
  6. sl in each tr to the tip of petal and then into ch3sp, ch1, *(dc, ch3,dc) in ch3sp, ch5, tr in dc, ch3, tr in dc, ch5, rep from * 6 times, join with sl st.
  7. ch1, (3dc in ch3sp, 4dc in ch5sp) x12, join with sl st, fasten off.

Month 9 - Dark Skies

  1. ML, ch1, 6dc in loop, pull tight, join with sl st, ch1.
  2. (dc, ch4) x6, join with sl st, ch1.
  3. (dc, 2dc in ch4sp, ch4) x6, join with sl st, ch1.
  4. (sk1, dc2, 2dc in ch4sp, ch4) x6, join with sl st, ch1.
  5. (sk1, dc3, 2dc in ch4sp, ch4) x6, join with sl st, ch1.
  6. (sk1, dc4, 2dc in ch4sp, ch4) x6, join with sl st, ch1.
  7. (sk1, dc5, 2dc in ch4sp, ch4) x6, join with sl st, ch1.
  8. (sk1, dc6, 2dc in ch4sp, ch4) x6, join with sl st, ch1.
  9. (sk1, dc7, 2dc in ch4sp, ch4) x6, join with sl st, ch1.
  10. *dc9, (dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch4sp, rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, fasten off.

Month 10 - Glorious Gorse

  • SCL Starting Cluster: ch2, (yo, insert hook and pull up loop, yo, pull through 2 sts) twice {3 sts on hook}, yo, pull through all sts.
  • CL Cluster: (yo, insert hook and pull up loop, yo, pull through 2 sts) x3, {4 sts on hook}, yo, pull through all sts.
  1. SCL, ch2, (CL, ch2) x5 into loop, pull tight, join to top of SCL with sl st, sl into ch2sp.
  2. (SCL, ch2, CL, ch2) in first ch2sp, (CL, ch2, CL, ch2) in next ch2sp, 5 times, join to top of SCL with sl st, sl in ch2sp.
  3. (SCL, ch2, CL, ch2) in first ch2sp, (CL, ch2) in next ch2sp, (CL, ch2, CL, ch2) in next ch2sp, (CL, ch2) in next ch2sp, *rep from * 5 times, join to top of SCL with sl st, sl in ch2sp.
  4. (SCL, ch2, CL, ch2) in first ch2sp, 2tr in next ch2sp, tr in CL, 2tr in next ch2sp, ch2, (CL, ch2, CL, ch2) in next ch2sp, 2tr in next ch2sp, tr in CL, 2tr in next ch2sp, ch2, *rep from * 5 times, join to top of SCL with sl st, sl in ch2sp.
  5. 3tr in ch2sp, tr in CL, tr in ch2sp, tr5, tr in ch2sp, tr in CL, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st, fasten off.

Month 11 - Stormy Weather

  1. ML, (dtr, ch2) x12, pull tight, join with sl st to top of first dtr.
  2. sl into ch2sp, 3htr in each ch2sp, join with sl st.
  3. sl into next st, (htr, ch2, htr) in next st, htr5, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st.
  4. sl into next st, (tr, ch1) x3 in ch2sp, (sk1, tr, ch1) x3 across, *rep from * 6 times, join with sl st.
  5. sl into next ch2sp, sl into next tr, ch1, now working in ch1sps only,
    • (2htr, 1htr, 2htr) x2, ch1, rep from * 6 times, join with sl st.
  6. ch1, (dc10, 2dc in ch1sp) x6, join with sl st, fasten off.

Month 12 - Joining and Border

Coming soon!