How to Crochet the Viral Hexagon Granny Cardigan

The crochet community is completely obsessed with the vibrant, cozy, and drape-heavy rainbow cardigan making waves across social media! As seen on the model , this stunning piece is the ultimate fusion of vintage charm and modern boho-chic fashion.

Today, I’m breaking down the exact professional design blueprint for this gorgeous garment. This pattern uses the incredibly popular **Hexagon Granny Square technique**, where two simple geometric pieces magically fold together to form the body and sleeves with minimal seaming.

To get that mesmerizing watercolor colorway without having to switch skeins and weave in a million loose ends, we are using the exact yarn from the video: **Ice Yarns Picasso**. This self-striping premium blend features an extraordinarily soft halo and vibrant, melting color transitions that do all the hard visual work for you.

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##  Project Specifications & Materials

### Materials Needed:
* **Yarn:** Ice Yarns Picasso (Medium/Worsted Weight #4, 100g skeins / approx. 250 yards per skein).
* **Size S/M:** 4–5 skeins
* **Size L/XL:** 6–7 skeins
* **Size 2XL/3XL:** 8–9 skeins
* **Crochet Hook:** 5.5 mm (US I-9) — *Designer Note: If you are a tight crocheter, move up to a 6.0 mm hook to maintain the fluid, bouncy drape seen in photo.*
* **Notions:** Tapestry needle, scissors, and 4 locking stitch markers.

### Gauge:
* 3 clusters (3 dc + ch 1) and 6.5 rows = 4" (10 cm) in standard granny stitch pattern.

### Size Chart & Measurements:
This pattern is written for size **S/M** with modifications for **L/XL** and **2XL/3XL** in parentheses: **S/M (L/XL, 2XL/3XL)**.
* **Finished Length (Shoulder to Hem):** 24" (26", 28")
* **Sleeve Length (Neckline to Cuff):** 20" (22", 24")

### Abbreviations (Standard US Terms):
* **ch:** Chain
* **dc:** Double Crochet
* **sc:** Single Crochet
* **sl st:** Slip Stitch
* **sp:** Space
* **ch-sp:** Chain Space
* **MR:** Magic Ring (Magic Circle)
* **cluster:** Group of 3 double crochets worked into the same space or stitch.

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##  Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

### Part 1: Crocheting the Twin Hexagons (Make 2)
*A traditional granny square has 4 sides, but we are making a 6-sided hexagon. When folded in half, this shape perfectly shifts into an "L" shape that forms one complete sleeve, half the front bodice, and half the back bodice.*

**Round 1:** Make a MR (or ch 4 and sl st to the first ch to form a ring). Ch 3 (counts as your first dc here and throughout the entire pattern), 2 dc into the ring, ch 2. *Work 3 dc into the ring, ch 2.* Repeat from * to * 4 more times. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3 to join the round. [You will have 6 distinct dc clusters and 6 ch-2 corner spaces].

**Round 2:** Sl st across the next 2 dc stitches to slip right into the first ch-2 corner space. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc all inside that same corner space (First corner cluster set complete). Ch 1. *In the next ch-2 corner space, work [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc], ch 1.* Repeat from * to * inside the remaining 4 corner spaces around. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3 to join. [12 clusters total].

**Round 3:** Sl st across into the nearest corner ch-2 space. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc into that corner space. Ch 1. *3 dc in the next side ch-1 space, ch 1. [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in the next corner ch-2 space, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * all the way around the hexagon, making sure to place a single cluster in the straight sides and a double cluster in the 6 corners. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3 to join.

**Rounds 4 to 16 (19, 22):** Keep repeating Round 3. As the hexagon expands, you will naturally add one more side cluster per side on every single round.
* **Sizing Check:** Fold your hexagon flat into an "L" shape. Stop adding rounds when the folded sleeve width feels roomy enough around your upper arm, and the body width covers half of your chest/back. Fasten off your yarn for both pieces.

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### Part 2: Customizing the Body Length & Fit
*If you seam the two hexagons directly together now, the cardigan will be a square crop with incredibly wide sleeves. To get the beautifully proportioned bodice silhouette displayed on the mannequin in image , we will add extra rows to the back panels before joining.*

#### Back Panel Extensions:
1. Lay your two folded "L" shapes flat on a table so they look like a left and right side of a jacket facing you. Mark the two long vertical edges that meet in the middle—this is your center back.
2. Attach your **Ice Yarns Picasso** to the bottom corner of the back edge of the Left Piece.
3. Work straight rows of granny stitch (3 dc, ch 1) up and down *only* along this back vertical edge.
4. Work **3 (5, 7) rows** of extension. Repeat this exact step for the Right Piece back edge.

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### Part 3: Joining and Seaming

1. Place the two pieces together with the right sides facing each other (wrong sides facing out).
2. **The Back Seam:** Using a tapestry needle and a mattress stitch (or your crochet hook to slip-stitch), sew the extended back panels together from the bottom waistband all the way up to the collar neckline.
3. **The Shoulder Seam:** Pin the top fold of the sleeves and shoulders together. Seam from the outer wrist opening all the way along the top of the arm up to the neck opening. Fasten off. Your cardigan structure is now completely assembled!

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### Part 4: Modifying the Bottom Hem & Cuffs
*Looking closely at image , notice how the body drops low past the waist while keeping cozy 3/4 wide sleeves.*

#### To Add Length to the Bottom Hem:
Attach yarn to the bottom front corner of your jacket. Work straight granny stitch rows back and forth along the entire bottom edge of the cardigan until it reaches your desired length.

#### To Extend the Sleeves:
Attach yarn directly to any ch-1 space along the wrist opening. Work continuous granny stitch rounds around the cuff until your sleeves hit your favorite length.

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### Part 5: The Elegant Scalloped Border
*The absolute signature feature of the cardigan in image is the gorgeous, intricate wavy edging tracing the entire front trim and bottom hem.*

Attach your yarn to the bottom-back edge corner. You will work this delicate scalloped trim all the way around the entire outer raw edge of your cardigan (the entire bottom hem, up the front panel, around the neck, and down the opposite front panel).

**Border Round:** Ch 1, sc in the first stitch. *Skip 1 stitch/space, work 5 dc into the very next stitch (this forms your shell petal), skip 1 stitch/space, sc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * continuously all the way around the perimeter of the cardigan. When you reach your starting stitch, sl st to the first sc to secure. Fasten off and weave in all remaining tails using your tapestry needle.

Give your finished piece a gentle steam block to relax the stitches and unleash the brilliant watercolor gradients of your new masterpiece! 

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