Folk Flower Hexagon Motif Free Crochet Pattern: A Bohemian DK Cotton Afghan Block

Folk Flower Hexagon Motif: A Bohemian DK Cotton Crochet Afghan Block

Introduction

If you have ever admired a handmade floral blanket and thought, "I could never do that," this pattern is for you. The Folk Flower Hexagon Motif is a small, friendly project that teaches you the core crochet skills — working in the round, changing colours, and shaping a flat hexagon — all in one 12 cm block. It is perfect for a confident beginner who has made a few simple squares and is ready for a gentle step up, and it is endlessly rewarding for anyone who loves folk-inspired, bohemian style. The finished motif has a dusty rose six-petal flower at its heart, outlined in warm mustard, set inside a soft sage green hexagon with a neat single crochet rim. It feels smooth, matte and slightly firm in the hand, and once you have made one, you will want a whole blanket of them.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK / light worsted weight (Category 3) cotton, approximately 21–24 stitches to 10 cm. The sample uses Paintbox Cotton DK (50 g / 125 m per ball): 1 ball each in Dusty Rose (A), Mustard (B) and Sage (C). One motif uses about 4 m of A, 2 m of B and 9 m of C.
• Crochet hook: 2.75 mm (US C/2), or the size needed to match the gauge below.
• Stitch markers: at least 6, to mark the six corners.
• Tapestry needle: a blunt-tipped needle with a large eye for weaving in ends.
• Scissors: small, sharp craft scissors.
• Blocking supplies: rust-proof pins and a blocking mat or towel.
• Finished size: 12 cm flat-to-flat (corner to corner about 13.5 cm).

Abbreviations and Beginner Glossary

• ch – chain: yarn over the hook, pull the loop through the loop on your hook. This makes a small link.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over, and pull the loop straight through both the stitch and the loop on your hook. It joins without adding height.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops.
• hdc – half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.
• dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through last 2 loops.
• tr – treble crochet: yarn over twice, insert hook, pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through 2 loops three times. (Listed for reference; not used in this motif.)
• sp – space: the gap made by a chain or between stitches.
• st(s) – stitch(es).
• beg – beginning.
• rep – repeat.
• A, B, C – the three colours: A = Dusty Rose, B = Mustard, C = Sage.
• magic ring – an adjustable loop of yarn you work stitches into, then pull tight to close the centre hole.
• yarn over – wrap the working yarn over your hook from back to front.
• fasten off – cut the yarn, pull the tail through the last loop, and tighten.
• right side – the front face of the work that will show on the finished blanket.

Gauge

Gauge: The first 2 rounds of the flower centre measure 3.5 cm across. After Round 6 the hexagon measures 12 cm flat-to-flat. 6 dc and 6 ch-1 sps = 3 cm.

Why gauge matters: Gauge is how big your stitches come out. If your stitches are larger than the pattern's, your motif will be too big and your blanket will not lie flat or join neatly; if smaller, it will be too tight. How to swatch: work Rounds 1–6 of the motif, then lay it flat and measure straight across from one flat side to the opposite flat side. If it is bigger than 12 cm, go down one hook size; if smaller, go up one hook size. Adjust your hook, not your tension.

Beginner Tips Before You Start

• Use stitch markers at every corner. Place a marker in the middle stitch of each 3-dc corner so you never lose your place — six markers, six corners.
• Do not pull your yarn too tight. Relaxed, even tension keeps the hexagon flat. If it cups upward, your stitches are too tight; loosen slightly.
• Change colour on the last stitch. Work the final yarn-over of the last stitch of a round with the new colour, then fasten off the old one. This hides the join.
• Count every round. The stitch count in parentheses at the end of each round is your safety net — check it before moving on.
• Keep the right side facing you. This motif is never turned; you always work with the front face toward you.
• Carry colours loosely up the back, or fasten off each colour as preferred. Loose carrying prevents puckering.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Notes: The motif is worked in the round from a magic ring, right side facing throughout, without turning. The hexagon is shaped by six evenly spaced corner increases; each round adds one stitch to every side, keeping the block flat.

Flower Centre (Colour A)

Round 1: With A, make a magic ring. Ch 1 (does not count as a st), work 6 sc into the ring, pull the tail to close. Join with sl st to first sc. (6 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around. Join with sl st to first sc. (12 sc)

Round 3 (petal round): Ch 1, *sc in next sc, ch 2, skip next sc; rep from * around, ending ch 2, join with sl st to first sc. (6 sc, 6 ch-2 sps)

Round 4: Sl st into first ch-2 sp, ch 1, in same sp work (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) — first petal made; in each ch-2 sp around work (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc). Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off A. (6 petals)

Petal Outline (Colour B)

Round 5: Join B with sl st in the dc at the tip of any petal, ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 2, sc in the dc at the tip of the next petal; rep from * around, ending ch 2, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off B. (6 sc, 6 ch-2 sps)

Hexagon Background (Colour C)

Round 6: Join C with sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in same sp (half corner), *dc in next sc, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp (corner), dc in next sc; rep from * around, ending with 3 dc in the starting ch-2 sp, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (6 corners of 3 dc, 6 sides of 2 dc = 30 dc)

Round 7: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in each of next 2 dc, *3 dc in next corner dc, dc in each dc to next corner dc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (42 dc)

Round 8: Ch 3, dc in each of next 3 dc, *3 dc in next corner dc, dc in each dc to next corner dc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (54 dc)

Round 9: Ch 3, dc in each of next 4 dc, *3 dc in next corner dc, dc in each dc to next corner dc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (66 dc)

Round 10: Ch 3, dc in each of next 5 dc, *3 dc in next corner dc, dc in each dc to next corner dc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (78 dc)

Round 11 (edging): Ch 1, sc in each dc around, working 3 sc in each corner dc; join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off C and weave in all ends. Block lightly, pinning each corner to a true hexagon. (90 sc)

Joining Into a Blanket

Make as many motifs as needed. Hold two motifs wrong sides together and join with C using slip stitch through both layers along matching sides, or work a flat sc join; at each shared corner work 1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc to keep the point sharp. Join motifs in offset rows so the hexagons interlock, then work one round of sc evenly around the outer edge of the assembled blanket, working 3 sc in every outer corner.

Assembly and Finishing

Seaming: Lay your motifs out in offset rows so the hexagons nest together. Hold two neighbouring motifs with wrong sides together (the flower faces outward on both). Thread C on your tapestry needle or use your hook to slip stitch through both layers along one matching side, working from corner to corner. At each shared corner, work 1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc so the point stays crisp. Join all sides in one direction first, then the other, so the blanket stays square.

Weaving in ends: Thread each tail on the tapestry needle and run it through the back of several stitches in one direction, then back through a few more in the opposite direction. Trim close. Never knot the ends.

Blocking: Pin each motif or the finished blanket to a flat mat, pulling every corner out to a true hexagon. Spritz with water until damp, then leave to dry completely (cotton holds its shape beautifully). This opens the lace and makes the hexagons uniform.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Colour changes: Swap the palette for a modern look — cream petals with a charcoal outline and a soft grey hexagon — or use a single colour for a minimalist block.
• Size adjustments: For a larger motif, add more dc rounds, increasing one dc on each side per round (Round 12 would be 90 dc, Round 13 would be 102 dc). For a smaller block, stop after Round 9.
• Yarn substitution: Any DK cotton or cotton-blend works; just swatch first, since fibre content changes gauge. Avoid fuzzy yarns if you want crisp petal definition.
• Joining variation: Try a continuous join-as-you-go method, or use a contrasting colour for the join to make the hexagon outlines pop.