New Project: Leilah the cushion

I’m pretty, I’m so pretty

What do you get if you crochet a whole heap of my Leilah hexagons and put them together (along with a few handy half-hexagons to square it off) ?  This of course! I tell you what, it took an absolute age to weave in all the ends, but I think the finished product will be worth the RSI. The colours might be a little eccentric, but that’s precisely how I like it. It would look completely different in more muted shades… monochrome might be interesting. I’ll be making this up into a proper cushion over the next week or so, so I’ll take photos as I go for your delectation. For now though I just thought I’d show you my progress, and express my particular love for the cerise, pink, orange and sand colour combo. It’s a bit like jam with cheese. You wouldn’t think it would work but it really really does.

Careful with these hexies, they’re Moorish! Do you see what I did there? Oh, nevermind.

Tutorial: Leilah the Lazy Hegaxon Granny

Despite the fact that I have never actually been to Morocco (one for the bucket list), I am a total sucker for Moroccan pattern. I’ve explored this theme in my crochet before, with pouffe the magic dragon, but the simple fact is I can’t get enough of the warm colours and intricate, interwoven shapes so I’ve revisited it once again this week. The style suits the medium brilliantly, although I doubt they have much call for thick woolly blankets in North West Africa. Here’s my design for a lazy hexagon granny. I’ve called it a lazy hexagon because it looks slightly as if it’s slouching, and also because it’s not very difficult to do – don’t be put off by the final round. It might look complicated, it’s not. Promise. I am currently working on a cushion to showcase the beauty that is Leilah. I’ll post an update soon. In the meantime, if you decide to have a go at this pattern I’d love to hear how you found it.

You will need: 1, 4mm crochet hook

4 colours of dk or aran yarn (use the same weight for the best finish)

Round 1: Colour 1: Ch4 and join with ss to make a ring

Round 2: Ch3, 16 tr in ring, join with ss to form a round, cast off  (17st)

Round 2

Round 3: Join colour 2 with 1sc in any ch, *( 1sc, 1dc, 1tr, ch1, 1tr, 1dc, 1sc) in next ch, skip next ch, 1sc* repeat  from * to * all the way round, join with ss in sc to form a round.

Round 3 in progress

Round 3 completed

Round 4: Join colour 3 with a sc in any ch1 space between 2 tr,*ch1,  2dc in next sc, ch1, 2 dc in same sc, ch1, sc in next sc* rep from * to * all the way round, join with ss in sc to form a round.

Round 4 in progress

Round 4 completed

Round 5: Join colour 4 in any ch1 space between 2 dc, ch2, 2dc in same space, ch2, 3dc in spame space, sc in next ch1 space, ch1, sc in next ch1 space, (sc in next ch)x2, in next ch1 space (sc,ch1, sc), sc in next ch, sc in next ch1 space, ch1, sc in next ch1 space, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next  ch space between 2 dc, sc in next ch1 space, ch1, sc in next ch1 space, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next  ch space between 2 dc, sc in next ch1 space, ch1, sc in next ch1 space, (sc in next ch)x2, in next ch1 space (sc, ch1, sc), sc in next ch, sc in next ch1 space, ch1, sc in next ch1 space, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next  ch space between 2 dc, sc in next ch1 space, ch1, sc, in next ch1 space, join with ss in top of ch2  to form a round.

Taa daah!