Hiding posts from certain categories on index page

<?php if ( have_posts() ) : while ( have_posts() ) : the_post(); ?>

 <!-- If the post is in the category we want to exclude, we simply pass to the next post. -->
 <?php if (in_category('1')) continue; ?>

I’ve tried this, but it shows no posts from any categories, just a link to page 2. On page 2 it shows 1 post and links to next previous pages. Page 3 shows 2 posts and links to next previous pages. Pages 4 and 5 are blank like Page 1 (index page).

I also tried

<?php
  if (is_home()) {
     query_posts("cat=-1");
  }
?>

Which works, BUT the links to previous pages show exactly the same posts as page 1 (index page). An example of this can be seen on my site, plantedbox.com.

How can I hide posts from Cat 1 (Latest News) but keep all other functions, like next and previous pages?

Many thanks,

– James
https://www.plantedbox.com