2016 Fiber Flux Holiday CAL – Week 3: JAYGO Construction

Welcome back for week 3 of the 2016 Fiber Flux Holiday Crochet Along!  Today we’ll be learning how to join our hexagon motifs using the join as you go (JAYGO) technique as we work on the Merry Little Throw, a classic granny hexagon blanket using the join as you go (JAYGO) technique.

Just joining us? Scroll down to the schedule below where you’ll find links for weeks one and two!

Add this project to your Ravelry queue by clicking on the button below:

*This is a self-paced project, so definitely go at the speed you feel most comfortable.  The instructional videos and posts will be up forever and you will always be able to go back and watch again and again!

Because there are those of you who prefer a written pattern and those who prefer a video tutorial, below are both.  For today’s tutorial, there are lots of photos below too.  Either way, be sure to check out the video for additional information about the number of motifs, plus some helpful tips as you are working on the project.

Here’s this week’s CAL video:

(Can’t see the video? Click here!)

Last week we learned how to make a basic granny hexagon.  This week, we’ll be learning how to join them together using the join as you go technique (JAYGO).  I have seen many different beautiful ways to join motifs as you go, this one is super simple and very quick to do.

Before you begin, you’ll need 1 fully finished hexagon (all four rounds of the pattern), plus at least one or two circles (first three rounds of the pattern).  I know many of you have made more (even some have made them all!).  The number of motifs is totally up to you, but you need at least 1 hexagon and 1 circle.

Note: it really helps to keep everything flat as you work, I like to lay mine on a table or lap as I go.

Last week we learned rounds 1-4 of the very first hexagon, but for the rest of the motifs, we’ll do it this way:

(Rounds 1 through 3 are the same) 

*Note: In last week’s CAL, some of you mentioned that you prefer to do a ch 3 at the beginning of each round (instead of a ch 4).  That is totally fine too.  By all means, work it up the way you prefer.

Chain 4 and join into a ring with a slip stitch.

Round 1: Chain 4 (counts as a dc), then work (a dc into center of ring, chain 1) 11 times.  Join to close with a slip stitch.

Note: If you want to make round 2 in the same color, simply slip stitch until you reach a ch 1 space and keep going.  If you want to switch colors…cut yarn and join the new yarn at one of the ch 1 spaces and tie securely.

Round 2: Chain 4 and work a dc in the same space.  Chain 1, then work two double crochet in the next (chain 1) space.  Keep doing this all the way around, working 2 dc in each space, then a chain 1.  Join to close with a slip stitch.

Round 3: Chain 4, then work 2 dc in the same space, then chain 1.  In the next space, work three dc, then chain 1.  Keep doing this all the way around the circle…3 dc, then a chain 1 in each space.  Join with a slip stitch to close.

For round 4, we’re going to break down each step along the way.  For more help, crochet along with me in the video too for this part.

Step 1: Figure out placement first.  I like to lay them out first on something flat.

Step 2:  Tie the new color on into any of the ch 1 spaces.

Step 3:  Work a corner as you normally would (ch 4, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc), then ch 1, then a side as you normally would (3 dc), but leave out the ch 1 at the end of this grouping–this is where we’ll be making the first join.

Step 4: Locate the corner space on the other hexagon (ch 1 space at the “peak” of the hexagon).  Now work 3 dc to begin the first part of the corner.

Step 5: Insert the hook into the ch 1 corner space from the top as shown in image 5.

Step 6: Wrap yarn around hook and bring up a loop.

Step 7: You’ll have two loops on the hook.

Step 8: Work a slip stitch by bringing that loop through the loop already on your hook.  First join made!

Step 9: Now finish the corner part of the hexagon by working 3 dc.  (Note when joining hexagons, the ch 1 is replaced with a slip stitch because of the join).

Step 10: Now we’re ready to join again.  Insert hook into the next space from the top.

Step 11: Wrap yarn around hook and bring up a loop.

Step 12: You’ll have two loops on the hook.

Step 13: Now work a slip stitch by bringing the loop through the loop already on your hook.

Step 14: Work 3 dc into the next ch 1 space.

Step 15: Now we’re ready to join again.  Repeat the same process by working a sl st into the hexagon as we did before in steps 10-13.

Step 16: That is the basic join as you go technique, but along the way you’ll come to a spot where two corners meet like the one shown in image 16…

Step 17: Work 3 dc to begin the first part of the corner.  

Step 18: Insert the hook from the top in the space in between the corners (Notice this time around we’re not working into the corner spaces.  If we did we’d have to choose between the green on or the red one, making it appear off centered.  This way everything is centered neatly).

Step 19: Insert the hook from the top once again in between the two hexagons, wrap yarn around hook and bring up a loop.

Step 20: You’ll have two loops on the hook.

Step 21: Work a slip stitch by bringing that loop through the loop already on your hook.  One loop left on the hook.

Step 22: Continue joining around as needed…sometimes you’ll be joining 1 side, 2 sides, or 3 sides depending on your particular hexagon placement for each one.  Remember in the areas you are joining, work the slip stitch into the other hexagon instead of a ch 1.

Step 23:  Once the hexagon has been full joined onto the blanket, go ahead an work the rest of the round as you normally would.  At this point because we are no slip stitching anything together, revert back to the original round 4 from last week and add the ch 1 in between (instead of the slip stitch joins).

Step 24: Join to close round and move on to the next motif!

Once you’ve joined a couple of hexagons together, check out the chart below for laying out your motifs.  I’ve numbered them to hopefully make it easier to keep track of them all.  When joining them, try to spread out the colors a bit (for example a green next to a red instead of another green) for the most visual impact.

To print…depending on your computer, you can right click and select “save” to your computer, then paste it to a word document and print.  Or, some computers allow you to right click on the image and the print option is right there.  I printed mine in gray scale (I show it in the video) to save color ink and it was still clear and easy to read.

When I joined my hexagons, I used the same color for round 1 and round 4.  So 8 green, 8 cream, and 8 red.  As you are constructing your blanket, it is helpful to print and mark on the sheet which hexagons are which color.  Also I color each one in with a highlighter after it is incorporated so I can keep it all straight.  Check out the color combinations graphic below to see it visually.  

*Note: even if you didn’t do these exact combinations/same numbers of each, you can still mix up the colors to spread things out.  For example, Just because your center is red, you can totally do another color for round 4 depending on what color it will be going up against.  This is a totally flexible project…when making mine, I placed hexagons and shifted things around a bit (and then a bit more!) until it looked how I wanted it to look.

OK, let’s take a quick peek at the schedule…so far we’ve gone over supplies, sizing, and the granny hexagon how to:

  • Tuesday November 22: Introduction to the CAL, the project, and supplies needed. (link to week 1 HERE)
  • Tuesday November 29: How to make the basic granny hexagon, the chart for motif placement, some helpful tips.  (Link to Week 2 HERE)
  • Tuesday December 6 (that’s today!): How to join hexagons with the join as you go technique (JAYGO), helpful tips for using the chart to plan your work.
  • Tuesday December 13: Optional edging, optional tassels/pom poms, weaving in ends and other finish work, conclusion of CAL!

Plus…


Tuesday December 20 I will feature our Maker Gallery…so send me your work!  This can be single motifs, work in progress, or finished pieces too!  We want to see it all!

Last part…let’s connect!  You can connect at any of the social media outlets below:

Also, I have set up a special group for us on Ravelry, the “Fiber Flux CAL Group”  There is a special welcome area, so please hop on and introduce yourself.  You can get info, ask questions, help each other, see what everyone is doing, and show off your work too!

Click HERE to visit and join the group!

I am LOVING all of your beautiful creations…please keep sharing those pictures and above enjoy, take some time to relax with your hook, and have fun!  That’s all for today lovelies, see you next Tuesday for part four of the CAL!!

Get yarn for this project here!

Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick And Quick Yarn

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3 thoughts on “2016 Fiber Flux Holiday CAL – Week 3: JAYGO Construction

  1. I can't wait to play long – I need to find a good acrylic alternative though, as touching wool makes my hands break out in this itchy, painful blisters. But your blanket looks BEAUTIFUL! And your instructions look easy to follow so far! Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to post everything for this CAL for us!! 🙂 Merry Christmas!

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