Hexagon Motif Knit Top

How to knit a top made of hexagon motifs:  

Size: Small  

 

Materials:  

250 g of yarn (50% wool, 50% acrylic, 273 yds/100 g); a set of double-pointed needles US size 2 (3 mm); a circular needle US size 2 (3 mm).  

Knit the top seamlessly from the bottom up.  

The top consists of three rows of hexagonal motifs joined in the round.  

To create a slightly flared shape, decrease 1 stitch on each side of the motif in each subsequent row.  

The last two hexagons are used to join the front and back at the shoulders.  

 

First row of hexagons:  

For the first hexagon, cast on 120 stitches.  

Distribute 40 stitches across three needles.  

Join in the round (each needle will contain two wedges of the hexagon with 20 stitches each).  

Round 1: * Knit 17 stitches, knit 3 stitches together through the front loops, yarn over *, repeat from * to * to the end of the round.  

To make knitting easier, end with the 3 stitches knitted together; begin the next needle with the yarn over.  

Round 2: * Knit 16 stitches, knit 3 stitches together, yarn over *, repeat from * to * to the end of the round.  

Round 3: * Knit 15 stitches, knit 3 stitches together, yarn over *, repeat from * to * to the end of the round.  

Continue in this manner until only 4 stitches remain on each needle (= 12 stitches total).  

Knit them together as 2 stitches at a time (= 6 stitches).  

Cut the yarn and pull through the remaining stitches using a yarn needle.  

 Second hexagon:  

Cast on 100 stitches.  

Using the same yarn and a crochet hook, pick up 20 stitches along one side of the first hexagon.  

Distribute all stitches across 3 needles.  

Continue knitting in the same way as the first hexagon.  

 Third hexagon:  

Work as for the second hexagon, but pick up 20 stitches on the opposite side of the first hexagon.  

Knit two more hexagons in the same way = 5 hexagons.  

 Sixth hexagon:  

Cast on 40 stitches, pick up 20 stitches along one side of the fifth hexagon.  

Using the same yarn, cast on 40 more stitches onto the working needle, then pick up 20 stitches along one side of the first hexagon.  

Distribute stitches across 3 needles, join in the round, and work as before.  

Now you have a ring of 6 hexagons.  

 

Each motif now has a side of 19 stitches = 114 stitches total.  

First hexagon of the second row:  

Cast on 76 stitches.  

Pick up 19 stitches from the side of the first hexagon of the previous row and another 19 from the second hexagon.  

Distribute stitches on 3 needles and work as before.  

Note: Each side now has 1 stitch fewer.  

* Knit 16 stitches, knit 3 stitches together, yarn over *, repeat from * to * to the end of the round.  

Cast on 57 stitches, then pick up 19 stitches from one side of the first hexagon,  

19 from one side of the second, and 19 from one side of the third hexagon from the first row.  

Distribute stitches on 3 needles and work as before.  

Cast on 38 stitches, pick up 19 stitches from the previous hexagon, then pick up 19 + 19 from the hexagons of the previous row, and 19 stitches from the first hexagon of the second row.  

Distribute on 3 needles and work as before.  

Work as for the second row, but now each side has 18 stitches = 108 stitches.  

Cast on 72 stitches, then pick up 18 stitches from the sides of the first and second hexagons of the previous row.  

Hexagons 2 to 5:  

Cast on 54 stitches, pick up 18 stitches each from the adjacent hexagon and the ones below.  

Cast on 36 stitches, pick up 18 stitches each from the fifth and first hexagon and from the hexagons below.  

Work as before.  

Fold the resulting panel in half. 

Between hexagons 1–2 and 2–3 of the previous row, knit 2 additional hexagons (108 stitches each) — this will form the front.  

Between hexagons 4–5 and 5–6, knit 2 more hexagons for the back.  

Shoulder hexagon:  

Each side = 16 stitches = 96 stitches total.  

Cast on 32 stitches, pick up 16 stitches from the center side of the front hexagon,  

cast on 32 more stitches, pick up 16 stitches from the center side of the back hexagon.  

Join in the round and work as usual.  

Knit the second shoulder hexagon in the same way.  

Since each shoulder side has 2 stitches fewer than the front and back,  

when picking up stitches, shift by 2 stitches toward the armhole.  

Armhole finishing:  

Pick up 80 stitches along each armhole using a circular needle.  

Knit 12 rounds in garter stitch and bind off.  

Neckline finishing:  

Pick up 130 stitches around the neckline.  

Knit 6 rounds in garter stitch and bind off.  

Bottom edge finishing:  

Pick up stitches along the lower edge as follows:  

18 stitches along each side of the hexagons,  

1 stitch between the hexagons’ sides,  

and 1 stitch at each point where hexagons meet.  

Knit in the round in garter stitch.  

On rounds with knit stitches, increase 1 stitch before and after each hexagon side, and knit 2 stitches together where hexagons join.  

Work 8 rounds in this manner.  

Round 9:  

Do not increase stitches; instead, knit 3 stitches together where hexagons join.  

Bind off all stitches.  

Dampen the top, lay it flat on a towel, and allow to dry completely.