The mesh Honey Comb pattern is great for beginners as it only has two main crochet stitches: chain stitch and double crochet (treble crochet in UK terms). It’s a nice pattern for a mesh bag, scarf, or if you’re feeling adventurous a cute bikini cover-up (it’s really just two giant rectangles at the end of the day).
It can be a way of bringing a little magic into your life and maybe gaining favor with the Egyptian goddess Neith. Whatever you’re into, we can’t deny that almost every civilization around the world has been fascinated with bees and their ability to create the honey comb. In Hindu and Native American symbolism the honeycomb represents a sense of unity and community. In Christianity it represents spiritual nourishment and the divine. Ancient Egyptians associated it with fertility and abundance, while honey that came from honey combs was thought to have magical properties. These days we have science to show that honey has anti-microbial properities, meaning it can help fight off various infections (likely why it was deemed magical). I personally like to use it for freshly cut plants to help with propagation or healing if I’m cutting off an infected leaf.
Whatever continent you look at (besides Antartica) you’re sure to find some kind of connection between the people and the honeycomb. So let’s jump into one variation of the pattern.
Chart (Visual Representation)
As a beginner, once you learn how to read a chart you will realize just how many patterns out there are actually doable. Personally it was very freeing because I could finally step away from the step by step videos on YouTube (not that I don’t still use them, they’re very helpful for learning new patterns and stitches). I just enjoyed not being stuck to the screen anytime I wanted to make anything.
Below you have what’s called the chart and below that the ledger showing you which is the chain and which is double crochet. You can see right away that the pattern repeats often and has only two stitches. You start at the filled in arrow with your foundation chain and you “end” at the empty pointer arrow, you most likley aren’t doing only 3 rows but you get the picture.
Written Pattern
To start, chain 4 to the desired length then add 7 chains at the end.
To start Row 1 count the chains starting from your hook to number 8 and do a double crochet into it. Chain 4, then double crochet into the 4th chain. Repeart until you’ve reached the end of your foundation chain. (Important to note, don’t stress if you miscounted and only have three or two chains at the end. This pattern is very forgiving, you can just continue to put a double crochet in the last chain.)
To start Row 2 you are going to chain 5 to turn your work. Then do a double crochet into the chain space. (You don’t need to work it into the chain like we did in Row 1 unless you want to. Working into chain space allows the double crochet to move and makes the project a little stretchier.) Next chain 4 and then again do a double crochet into the next chain space. Repeat the chain 4 and double crochet until you have reached the end of Row 1 and double crochet into the turning chain space 7.
Row 3 and up will be an exact copy of Row 2. Chain 5 to turn, double crochet onto the first chain 4. Chain 4 and double crochet onto the next chain 4 until you’ve reached the end of Row 2.
Abbreviated Pattern
A multiple of 4 + 7
R1: DC into 8th chain from hook, *CH 4, DC into the CH SP, repeat from * to end, turn.
R2: CH 5, DC into the first CH SP, *CH 4, DC into the CH SP, repeat from * to end, turn.
Repeat Row 2
For more information on the history of the honey comb and it’s meaning I found a great article here: The Spiritual Meaning Of Honeycomb: Symbolism, Metaphors, And Unity | PollenPaths