This snowflake bedspread brings a calm winter morning to your bedroom. Each hexagon has a soft icy-blue snowflake flower in the middle, framed by airy ivory lace. Joined together, the hexagons make a cozy honeycomb of snow with a pretty zigzag edge.
Every hexagon is worked in the same seven rounds, so it is easy to learn and easy to take with you. You only need basic stitches: chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet and double crochet. The blue petals in Round 2 take a try or two, so make one practice hexagon first.
What you need
- Yarn: DK weight (light 3) cotton in 2 colors: ivory (main color and border) and icy blue.
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4). Go up or down a size if your hexagon is too tight or too floppy.
- Tools: tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, blocking mats and pins.
- How much yarn? Estimate for a queen cover with two pillow fronts: about 2,800 m (3,060 yd) ivory and 650 m (710 yd) icy blue. For a better number, make one finished hexagon, weigh it, multiply by the number of hexagons, then add 15% for joining and the border.
Abbreviations and size
- ch chain
- sl st slip stitch
- sc single crochet
- sc2tog 2 sc worked together
- hdc half double crochet
- dc double crochet
- sp space
- st(s) stitch(es)
- magic ring adjustable starting loop
Hexagon size: about 14 cm (5.5 in) across, flat side to flat side, after blocking.
Hexagons needed: 179 for the bedspread (about 160 x 210 cm) plus 22 for two pillow fronts, so 201 in total. Make 50 for a lap throw.
How to crochet the snowflake hexagon
Work every round with the right side facing you. The chain-3 at the start of a round counts as 1 dc. Join each round with a slip stitch to the top of the first chain-3 unless the round says otherwise.
- Round 1 (icy blue): Make a magic ring. Ch 1, 12 sc in the ring. Join with a sl st to the first sc. [12 sc]
- Round 2 (icy blue, petals): *Sc in the next st, ch 9. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook and working back down the chain: sl st, sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc, sl st (8 sts). Sl st in the next st of Round 1. Repeat from * 5 more times. Fasten off. [6 petals]
- Round 3 (ivory, loops): Join ivory in the tip of any petal. *Ch 8, sc in the tip of the next petal. Repeat from * 4 more times, ch 8, sl st in the first tip. [6 loops of ch 8]
- Round 4 (ivory): Ch 3, 7 dc in the first ch-8 loop, ch 2. *8 dc in the next loop, ch 2. Repeat from * 4 more times. Join to the top of the ch 3. Fasten off. [48 dc, 6 corner spaces]
- Round 5 (ivory, lace): Join ivory in any corner space. Ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same space. *(Ch 1, skip 1 dc, dc in the next dc) 4 times, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next corner space. Repeat from * 4 more times, then (ch 1, skip 1 dc, dc in the next dc) 4 times. Join. [48 dc]
- Round 6 (ivory): Sl st in the next dc and into the corner space. Ch 3, (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same space. *Dc in each of the next 12 sts (dc and ch-1 spaces), (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next corner space. Repeat from * 4 more times, then dc in each of the last 12 sts. Join. [96 dc]
- Round 7 (ivory): Ch 1, sc in each dc and 3 sc in each corner space. Join, fasten off and weave in the ends. [114 sc]
Rule to remember: in Round 5 every side has 4 dc and 4 ch-1 spaces. If one side looks different, find the mistake before you start Round 6.
Block and lay out the hexagons
Pin each hexagon flat to your blocking mat, steam it lightly and let it dry. Blocking opens the lace and makes every hexagon the same size. Lay them out in 17 offset rows, alternating 11 and 10 hexagons (9 rows of 11 and 8 rows of 10 = 179). Take a photo of your layout so you can always find your place again.
Join the hexagons
- Hold two hexagons with right sides together. Whipstitch along one side through the back loops only with ivory yarn.
- Join the hexagons into long rows first, then join the rows to each other.
- Where three corners meet, make one small stitch through all three.
- Keep your joining stitches loose. Tight seams make the bedspread stiff.
Zigzag border
- Round 1: Join ivory at any outer point. Ch 1, sc evenly around, with 3 sc in each outer point and sc2tog in each inward notch. Join.
- Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around in the back loops only, with 3 sc in each outer point and sc2tog in each notch. Join.
- Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, with 3 sc in each outer point and sc2tog in each notch. Join and fasten off.
Matching pillow covers (make 2)
- Make 11 hexagons for each pillow front, in rows of 4, 3 and 4. Join them as you did for the bedspread. The panel is about 55 x 40 cm.
- Work 1 round of sc around the outer edge.
- Make the back from ivory cotton fabric. Place front and back wrong sides together, sew around three sides, insert a 50 x 35 cm (20 x 14 in) pillow form and close the last side.
Tips for success
- Check your gauge. Make one hexagon before you start the bedspread. It should be about 14 cm across after blocking.
- Keep the loops even. In Round 3 make every ch-8 loop the same length for a flat, sharp hexagon.
- Count every round. Wrong counts make hexagons curl or ruffle.
- Use one dye lot of ivory and buy extra. It is used for most of every hexagon, the joining and the border.
- Work in small steps. Make 3 hexagons a day and the bedspread is finished in about 10 weeks.
- Weave ends as you go. Doing 201 hexagons of ends at the end is a big job.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Loops in Round 3 that are too long or too short. The hexagon will ruffle or cup.
- Miscounting Round 5. Check for 4 dc and 4 ch-1 spaces on every side.
- Skipping the blocking step. Unblocked lace looks lumpy and joins unevenly.
- Pulling the joining yarn too tight, which creates ridges.
- Using a very fuzzy yarn. It hides the pretty lace.
Ways to change this pattern
- Blush version: pink snowflakes on ivory.
- Cool grey version: grey-blue snowflakes on white.
- Lap throw: join 50 hexagons in 9 offset rows, alternating 6 and 5. It measures about 85 x 115 cm.
- Table runner: join 6 hexagons in a row.
Frequently asked questions
What skill level do I need?
Intermediate. If you can make a double crochet, a half double crochet and a magic ring, you can do it. The chain petals in Round 2 take a try or two, so make a practice hexagon first.
How long does it take?
Each hexagon takes about 20 minutes. A full bedspread with two pillow fronts needs about 90 hours. At 10 hours a week, plan on 8 to 10 weeks.
What is the best yarn?
Soft mercerized cotton gives clean stitches and shows the lace well. Choose a smooth yarn, not a fuzzy one.
How do I wash it?
Hand wash or use a gentle cycle in cool water, then dry flat. Cotton can shrink a little, so avoid hot water.
Can I make it smaller or bigger?
Yes. Use about 50 hexagons for a lap throw and 179 for a queen bedspread. To size it for your bed, divide the bed measurements by your hexagon size.
Can I sell things I make from this pattern?
Yes, you can sell finished items. Please credit this website as the designer and do not copy or share the written pattern.
