Honeycomb Hearth Wrap Free Pattern – A Knitted Hexagon Honey Shawl

Wrap yourself in the golden warmth of a honeycomb-inspired shawl, knitted with a unique hexagonal motif that drapes like a cozy blanket. This pattern celebrates the beauty of bees and the sweetness of handmade comfort. The Honeycomb Hearth Wrap is a stunning, textured triangular shawl that combines the rustic charm of garter stitch ridges with delicate yarn-over holes, creating a lacy, airy fabric that is both warm and breathable. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a modular project or a confident beginner ready for a challenge, this free pattern will guide you through creating a truly special heirloom piece.

This wrap is constructed from 19 individual hexagons, knitted from the center out, and then joined together in a honeycomb lattice. The result is a beautifully structured shawl that resembles a golden honeycomb, finished with a neat garter stitch border. The alternating honey gold and cream hexagons create a checkerboard effect that is both visually striking and deeply satisfying to create. Let's dive into this delightful project!

Materials Needed

Before you begin your knitting journey, gather the following materials. Having everything ready will make the process smooth and enjoyable.

Yarn

• Main Color (MC) – Honey Gold: Approximately 800 yards of worsted weight yarn. This will be used for the majority of the hexagons and the edging.
• Contrast Color (CC) – Cream: Approximately 200 yards of worsted weight yarn. This is for the contrasting hexagons.

Tip: Choose a soft, durable wool or wool-blend for the best drape and stitch definition. The "honey gold" color is key to the theme, but any warm golden tone will work beautifully.

Needles & Notions

• Knitting Needles: US Size 8 (5 mm) circular knitting needles, with a cable length of 32 inches or longer. The long cable is essential for accommodating the large number of stitches as the hexagons grow.
• Stitch Markers: At least one marker to denote the beginning of the round, and several more for counting pattern repeats if needed.
• Yarn Needle: A blunt tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming the hexagons together.
• Scissors: For cutting yarn.

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. While gauge is not critical for a shawl, matching it will ensure you use the correct amount of yarn and achieve the intended size. Always knit a swatch to check your tension.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is modular, meaning you knit individual hexagons and then sew them together. The hexagons are worked in the round from the center out, using a simple increase pattern of yarn overs. Follow these detailed instructions carefully, and you'll have a beautiful shawl in no time.

Hexagon Motif (Make 19 Total: 10 in MC, 9 in CC)

Each hexagon is worked identically, regardless of color. You will make 10 hexagons in your Honey Gold (MC) and 9 in your Cream (CC). The pattern is a simple, repetitive sequence of knit rounds and increase rounds.

Round 1: With your chosen color, cast on 6 stitches. Join in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.

Round 2: *K1, yarn over (yo)*; repeat from * to * around. (12 stitches)

Round 3: Knit all stitches.

Round 4: *K2, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (18 stitches)

Round 5: Knit all stitches.

Round 6: *K3, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (24 stitches)

Round 7: Knit all stitches.

Round 8: *K4, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (30 stitches)

Round 9: Knit all stitches.

Round 10: *K5, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (36 stitches)

Round 11: Knit all stitches.

Round 12: *K6, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (42 stitches)

Round 13: Knit all stitches.

Round 14: *K7, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (48 stitches)

Round 15: Knit all stitches.

Round 16: *K8, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (54 stitches)

Round 17: Knit all stitches.

Round 18: *K9, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (60 stitches)

Round 19: Knit all stitches.

Round 20: *K10, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (66 stitches)

Round 21: Knit all stitches.

Round 22: *K11, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (72 stitches)

Round 23: Knit all stitches.

Round 24: *K12, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (78 stitches)

Round 25: Knit all stitches.

Round 26: *K13, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (84 stitches)

Round 27: Knit all stitches.

Round 28: *K14, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (90 stitches)

Round 29: Knit all stitches.

Round 30: *K15, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (96 stitches)

Round 31: Knit all stitches.

Round 32: *K16, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (102 stitches)

Round 33: Knit all stitches.

Round 34: *K17, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (108 stitches)

Round 35: Knit all stitches.

Round 36: *K18, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (114 stitches)

Round 37: Knit all stitches.

Round 38: *K19, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (120 stitches)

Round 39: Knit all stitches.

Round 40: *K20, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (126 stitches)

Round 41: Knit all stitches.

Round 42: *K21, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (132 stitches)

Round 43: Knit all stitches.

Round 44: *K22, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (138 stitches)

Round 45: Knit all stitches.

Round 46: *K23, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (144 stitches)

Round 47: Knit all stitches.

Round 48: *K24, yo*; repeat from * to * around. (150 stitches)

Round 49: Knit all stitches.

Round 50: Bind off all stitches loosely. Tip: To ensure a stretchy edge that doesn't pucker, bind off using a larger needle or a loose bind-off method like the "Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off."

Repeat this process to create all 19 hexagons. As you complete each one, weave in the starting tail at the center, but leave the bind-off tails for now if you plan to use them for seaming.

Assembly: Creating the Honeycomb Lattice

Now for the fun part – bringing your hexagons together to form the shawl. The layout is crucial to achieving the correct triangular shape.

Step 1: Arrange Your Hexagons. Lay your hexagons out on a flat surface in the following pattern, alternating colors (MC, CC, MC, etc.) to create a checkerboard effect:

• Row 1 (Top): 1 hexagon
• Row 2: 2 hexagons
• Row 3: 3 hexagons
• Row 4: 4 hexagons
• Row 5: 5 hexagons
• Row 6 (Bottom): 4 hexagons

This creates a beautiful, wide triangular shape. The top point will rest at your neck, and the wider bottom will drape across your back or shoulders.

Step 2: Seam the Hexagons. Using a mattress stitch or whip stitch, carefully sew the hexagons together along their straight edges. Use the yarn tails from your bind-off or a separate length of matching yarn. Ensure the seams are secure but not too tight, to maintain the drape of the shawl. Sew all the adjacent edges together according to your layout.

Edging: A Neat and Cozy Border

Once all hexagons are joined, you'll add a simple border to finish the edges and give the shawl a polished look.

Step 1: Pick Up Stitches. With your Main Color (MC) yarn and your circular needle, starting at any point along the outer edge of the shawl, pick up and knit stitches evenly along the entire perimeter. The number of stitches isn't critical; just ensure it's even and the edge lies flat without puckering. Tip: Pick up approximately 3 stitches for every 4 rows or edges to keep it flat.

Step 2: Knit the Garter Border. Once you have picked up all the stitches, you will work back and forth in rows (not in the round). Work 6 rows of garter stitch, which means you simply knit every row. This creates a neat, ridged border that complements the texture of the hexagons.

Step 3: Bind Off. Bind off all stitches loosely in knit. Again, a stretchy bind-off is recommended to prevent the edge from being too tight.

Finishing Touches

Your Honeycomb Hearth Wrap is almost complete! The final steps are crucial for a professional-looking finish.

Step 1: Weave in Ends. Using your yarn needle, carefully weave in all remaining loose ends on the wrong side of the shawl. Make sure they are secure so they don't unravel with wear.

Step 2: Blocking. This step is essential to open up the lace pattern and define the hexagonal shapes. Soak the shawl in lukewarm water with a gentle wool wash for about 20 minutes. Gently squeeze out the excess water (do not wring). Lay the shawl flat on a clean towel and roll it up to remove more water. Then, lay it out on a blocking mat or a dry towel. Pin out the points of each hexagon along the outer edge to create a crisp, sharp honeycomb look. Pay special attention to the corners of the shawl. Allow it to dry completely before unpinning.

Once dry, your Honeycomb Hearth Wrap is ready to be worn and admired. The combination of the textured knit, the warm honey gold, and the structural hexagon design makes this a truly unique and cherished piece. Enjoy the sweetness of your handmade creation!

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