Mountain Cabin Hexagon Collar Cover Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Mountain Cabin Hexagon Collar Cover is a sweet little project for anyone who loves dressing up their cat (or small dog) without fussing with a full bandana. It is made from four simple hexagon motifs joined in a row, then folded over a standard collar and fastened with two buttons, so it stays put while your pet goes about their day. The aran wool-blend yarn gives it a soft, slightly rustic texture that looks cozy and handmade, and the lilac shade adds a gentle pop of color against fur. It works up quickly in an evening or two, making it a lovely gift for a fellow pet lover or a charming treat for your own companion.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Aran weight wool blend (for example 80% acrylic, 20% wool), approximately 50 yards in lilac.
• Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and sewing on buttons, two small buttons (about 1/2 inch or 12 mm), scissors, and a few stitch markers if you like.
• Finished size: Approximately 10 inches (25.4 cm) long x 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) wide, fitting collars up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
• sp — space: the gap formed by a chain or chains in the previous round.
• st(s) — stitch(es).
• RS — right side: the front, public-facing side of the work.

Gauge

One hexagon motif should measure 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) across the flat sides after blocking. To check, work one motif and measure it flat; if it is larger, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up a hook size.

Tips Before You Start

• Make all four motifs first and block them lightly before joining, so the hexagons line up neatly and the strip stays flat.
• Keep your tension even on the corner chain-2 spaces; these define the hexagon shape, so slightly loose corners are better than tight ones.
• When joining motifs, work through both layers with right sides together so the seam sits on the inside of the finished strip.
• Try the cover on your pet's collar before sewing the buttons, so you can adjust the buttonhole spacing to fit snugly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Hexagon Motif (make 4)

With lilac, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, [ch 2, 3 dc in ring] 5 times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (6 groups of 3 dc, 6 ch-2 sps).

Rnd 2: Sl st to first ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp (corner made), *ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * around, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (6 corners, 6 ch-1 sps).

Rnd 3: Sl st to first ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * around, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (6 corners, 12 ch-1 sps). Fasten off.

Assembly

Join the motifs in a row by working through both layers: with right sides together, sl st in each st and ch across one edge of two motifs, leaving the other edges open. Repeat to join all 4 motifs into a single strip.

Edging

With RS facing, join yarn at one short end, sc evenly around the entire perimeter, working 3 sc in each corner, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Buttonholes

On one long edge, mark 2 evenly spaced points. At each point, ch 3, skip 2 sc, join with sl st to next sc.

Button Placement

Sew buttons on the opposite long edge, corresponding to the buttonholes.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side with your tapestry needle, tucking them through a few stitches so they stay secure. Sew the two buttons firmly in place opposite the buttonholes, checking the fit around your pet's collar before knotting off. Block the finished strip lightly by misting it with water and pinning it flat to the measurements above; let it dry completely so the hexagons hold their shape.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the lilac for a deep forest green or oatmeal shade for a more traditional cabin look, or use a self-striping aran for subtle color shifts.
• Add a fifth motif for a longer cover that suits wider collars, or use three motifs for a smaller pet.
• For a sturdier buttonhole edge, work a second round of sc around the perimeter before adding the buttonholes.