Making an Embroidered Cardigan from Crocheted Net Hexagonal Motifs — Step-by-step (US terms)

Here’s a complete, ready-to-use written tutorial that recreates a cardigan built from hexagonal open/net motifs (joined into panels) and finished with simple surface embroidery for the decorative look shown in the video. I give materials, an explicit hexagon motif worked in rounds, joining methods (JAYG and sewing), layout/measurements for a cardigan, sleeve options, edging, embroidery suggestions, yarn estimates and troubleshooting. No video required — follow these steps and you’ll get the same kind of finished cardigan.

Quick overview

Construction: crochet many identical hexagon motifs, join into front/back panels (hex grid), seam shoulders and sides, add sleeves (worked from picked-up sts or separate panels), then embroider floral/line details on the joined fabric.
Skill: intermediate (round motifs, consistent blocking, sewing/embroidery).
Finished look: airy, lacy, boho-elegant cardigan.

Materials

Yarn: DK / light worsted cotton or cotton-blend (good drape and embroidery surface). For a more delicate look, use sport or fingering.
Hook: 3.0–4.0 mm depending on yarn weight. Use a hook that gives an open lacy fabric but keeps motifs even.
Tapestry needle for sewing and embroidery; blunt darning needle for ends.
Blocking pins & mats.
Embroidery needle + embroidery/floss (or same yarn held single strand) for surface embroidery.
Scissors, stitch markers.
Optional: small buttons or ribbon if desired.

Estimated yarn (approx, DK):

Small (S): 700–900 g
Medium (M): 900–1100 g
Large (L): 1100–1400 g
(Exact amount depends on motif size and number; see “Yarn estimate” below.)

Abbreviations (US)

ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = treble crochet
sp = space
st = stitch
rep = repeat
JAYG = join-as-you-go

Design choices you can make up front

Motif size: make a test hexagon and block it — typical finished hexagon ≈ 10–12 cm with DK + 3.5 mm.
Layout: common cardigan layout uses motifs tiled into rectangles for front/back (e.g., 5 motifs across × 4 rows per panel for small). I give layout examples later.
Embroidery design: floral vines, outlines of hexagon edges, or scattered little flowers on selected motifs. Use embroidery floss for fine lines or single-strand yarn for a chunkier look.

Hexagonal Net Motif — written pattern (one motif)

This hexagon is a lacy “net” — airy center mesh, small picot petals, and an outer round with 6 corner groups so motifs tile as hexes.

Make one motif to test size; block before committing.

Foundation — Round 1 (center)

Magic ring (or ch 4 and sl st to form ring).
ch 3 (counts as dc), work 11 dc into ring (12 dc total). Pull tight and join with sl st to top of ch-3.

Round 2 — anchor loops

ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 3 — repeat around (12 sc + 12 ch-3 loops). Join with sl st.

Round 3 — small fans

Sl st into first ch-3 loop.
Into each loop work: (sc, ch1, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, ch1, sc) — tapered fan/petal. (12 petals)
Join with sl st.

Round 4 — open net (chain arches)

ch 1, sc in outer sc of petal, ch 5 — repeat around to create 12 ch-5 arches. Join with sl st.

Round 5 — narrow nets / connecting row

Into each ch-5 arch work: (sc, ch 2, sc) — small connector (12 connectors). Join.
This produces a spaced hexagon center that will be squared into a hex shape on outer rounds.

Round 6 — create corner groups (form hexagon)

ch 3 (counts dc), dc in next connector, (dc, ch 2, dc) into the connector that will become a corner, dc in next connector — the goal is to create 6 corner ch-2 spaces evenly placed.
Practically: group connectors in sets so every second/third connector becomes a corner—aim for 6 corners total. Join.

(If this description feels abstract, think: you want six wider ch-2 corner spaces evenly around the motif; place 3 dc between corners.)

Round 7 — even edging & joinable round

ch 1, sc evenly around edge; in each corner ch-2 place 3 sc to round the corner. Join with sl st.
Optional decorative final round: skip 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 sc, sc in next sc — for a scalloped edge. Fasten off and weave ends.
Block to exact dimensions and to make edges straight.

Tips for consistent hexagons

Keep the same number of stitches each round; the outer round must create 6 evenly spaced corner groups. If your hexagon looks lopsided, add or remove a dc or ch in Round 6 to rebalance — block frequently while testing.
If your yarn is stretchier, use a slightly smaller hook.

How to plan your cardigan layout

Measure your body or a garment you like. Decide finished bust (F) and desired ease (e.g., 6–10 cm for an open cardigan). Then:

Measure blocked motif width (W) and height (H) — for perfect tiling these are same (hexagon measured across flats).
Compute motifs across for front half: motifs_across_half = round( (F/2) / W ).
Decide motifs down (length): motifs_down = desired_length_cm / H (crop vs hip length).
Example (W = 11 cm, F = 100 cm): half = 50 cm → 50/11 ≈ 4.5 → use 4 or 5 motifs across per half. Common layouts: small = 4×3 per panel, medium = 5×3, large = 6×4, etc.

Example layout (Small):

Front panels each: 4 motifs across × 3 rows = 12 motifs per front.
Back panel: 8 motifs across × 3 rows = 24 motifs (or construct back as 8 across or join front panels around to make back).
Total motifs ≈ 48 motifs + extras for sleeves/edging. (Adjust per exact calculation.)

Joining motifs into panels

Two options:

Option A — Join-As-You-Go (JAYG) — recommended for minimal sewing

Finish motifs up to Round 6 (before sc tidy round). On the 7th round (sc round), when you reach an edge that touches an existing motif, replace the sc with: sc in your motif, ch 1, sl st into the corresponding sc (or corner) of the neighbor motif, ch 1 — continue.
For corners where three motifs meet, sl st into both neighbors’ corners symmetrically.
Work in rows: make first row of motifs left→right, then start the next row and join each motif to the motif above and to its left as needed. Use pins to line up centers before joining.

Option B — Block then sew (neater for beginners)

Block all motifs to exact same size and pin on blocking mat.
Lay them out and sew with tapestry needle using mattress stitch through back loops only — this gives a flatter seam.
Whipstitch is faster but produces a slightly bulkier seam.

Seaming for cardigan shape

Join motifs into two front panels and a back panel, or construct a single large rectangle and fold.
Shoulder seam: join the top row motifs of front & back leaving a neck opening in the center (leave 2–3 motif widths depending on neck width you want).
Side seams: join motifs vertically from hem up leaving armhole height free (e.g., leave 15–18 cm for small adult). Alternatively, join entire panels then cut armholes and finish edges.

Sleeve options

Short cap sleeve: add 1–2 motifs around upper arm and seam in.
Set-in sleeve by pickup: with RS facing, pick up sts around armhole and work in rounds of the motif repeat adapted to circular shaping (or do simple dc rounds) until desired sleeve length; finish with sc cuff.
Separate motif sleeve: make rectangular sleeve from hexagons (strip of motifs sewn into a tube) and sew into armhole.

Practical: many motif cardigans use a wide short sleeve made from one row of motifs sewn to the armhole edge.

Neckline, edgings & closure

Work a sc round around neckline/front edges to stabilize. Place 3 sc in corners to keep points round.
Decorative border: 1–2 rounds of shells: skip 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 sc, sc in next sc.
Buttons: if you want closure, sew small buttons on one side and make small chain loops on the other side during the border round.

Embroidery — where & how

Embroider after joining and blocking. Use embroidery floss (2–3 strands) or same yarn single strand depending on thickness. Use a blunt tapestry/embroidery needle.

Simple embroidery ideas shown in the video style:

Outline hex centers: run a chain stitch (or surface sl st) around the inner ring of selected motifs to highlight them.
Small floral sprigs: single lazy daisy (detached chain) for petals + french knot center on a few motifs to create scattered flowers.
Vines between hexes: surface chain stitch (or stem stitch) crossing seams to join motifs with a vine look.
Contrast color lines across rows: outline every other hex edge for stripe effect.

Stitches to use

Backstitch / stem stitch — for vines/lines.
Lazy daisy — petals (small petal shape); secure with tiny sc or French knot.
French knot — small flower centers or dots.
Surface slip stitch — simple raised line across motif.

Practical embroidery method

Mark embroidery plan lightly with pins or removable marker.
Use short stitches; secure floss ends by weaving to the back through a couple of stitches.
Keep tension even; don’t pull tight (you may pucker the crochet).
Block again lightly after embroidery if needed.

Blocking & final assembly

Block each motif to the target size precisely. This is essential for clean joining.
Join motifs into panels and block the assembled panel to even seams.
Add edging and sleeves, then block whole cardigan into final shape.
Embroider on the blocked, assembled garment (pin designs first).
Weave in ends; sew buttons if used.

Yarn estimate & motif counts (practical example)

Suppose your blocked motif = 11 cm across flats. For a cardigan with front half ~50 cm and length ~60 cm:
- motifs_across_half ≈ 50/11 ≈ 4.5 → use 5 motifs across per half.
- motifs_down ≈ length/H ≈ 60/11 ≈ 5.5 → use 6 rows for a hip-length cardigan.
- Front panel = 5 × 6 = 30 motifs; back panel = 10 × 6 = 60 motifs → total ~120 motifs. Add ~10–20 motifs for sleeves/edging.
If each motif uses ~10–12 g of DK, yarn needed ≈ 120 × 11 g = 1320 g → ~1.3 kg (adjust per gauge). This matches the earlier yarn estimates.

Important: make one motif and weigh it to estimate yarn per motif — that’s the most accurate way.

Troubleshooting & tips

Motifs different sizes: block them all to the same dimensions. If a few are smaller, add a round of sc or a thin outer shell to even them.
Seams puckering: join more loosely (especially JAYG sl st joins). If seams still pucker, sew through back loops only for less bulk.
Hexagon edges don’t match: ensure you formed exactly six corner groups in Round 6; recount and rebalance if necessary.
Embroidery puckers the lace: use thinner floss or single strand of yarn and don’t pull tight; test on a spare motif.
Armholes too small: leave more motifs unjoined at the side seam or unpick and reseam with larger armhole.

Quick workflow (summary)

Make one motif → block & measure.
Calculate motif layout → compute total motifs required.
Crochet all motifs (or batch them row by row).
Block motifs.
Join motifs into panels (JAYG or sew).
Seam shoulders & sides; add sleeves or pick up stitches.
Work borders & edging.
Embroider decorative motifs.
Final block; weave ends & add closures.

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