Picture this, You, a crochet hook, vibrant threads, and the promise of something lovely taking shape under your fingertips. Crocheting a small mandala isn't just about looping yarn into pretty patterns; it's about adding a pop of color and a dash of personal flair to your surroundings. This project is like a mini escape, where each stitch brings a little more joy and the outcome is as delightful as it is bright.
Crochet Small Mandala
Materials Needed:
- Double knit cotton yarn (8 ply in Australia, Double Knit in South Africa and Europe, and 3 weight cotton in the US)
- Crochet hook size 3.75mm (or 4mm if you crochet tightly)
- Scissors
- Wool needle for weaving in ends
Pattern Overview:
- This pattern is for a doily or mandala with a diameter of 25 centimeters.
- You will need five colors of yarn.
- The example uses a combination of dark pined orange, very light gray, royal blue cream, and two additional shades for the alternate version.
Starting Out:
Make a slip knot on your hook:
- Create a chain of five stitches and connect with the first chain to form a ring.
Round 1:
- Chain three (acts as your first fake double crochet) within the ring. Add another eleven double crochets into the ring, for a total of twelve (including the chain 3). Connect with a slip stitch.
Build Up:
In Round 2:
- Move to the next stitch and perform a single crochet, then chain two (acts as your first fake double crochet). Increase in every stitch around by making two double crochets in each stitch, resulting in 24 stitches by the end of the round.
Round 3:
- Double the amount of stitches by making a double crochet and chain one in every stitch from the previous round, working in each stitch to end with 48 stitches in this round.
Round 4:
- Work two double crochets into each chain one space from the previous round, maintaining the stitch count from Round 3.
Color Changes and Patterns:
Change Color:
- For the next segments, you'll change colors as per your design. Start each new color round as you started the previous ones, by making a slip knot on the hook and proceeding with the pattern.
Round 5 and Beyond:
- Continue following the pattern, increasing the number of stitches in the outer rounds to expand the mandala. The pattern didn't provide specifics for each round beyond Round 4, but typically, you will create various textures and looks by varying the stitch combinations (e.g., single, double crochets, and chains) and increasing systematically to keep the work flat.
Finishing Touches:
- Secure and weave in all ends with a wool needle.
- You may want to block your finished mandala to give it a perfect shape. This can be done by lightly steaming it with an iron (without directly touching the crochet work) and pinning it into shape on a flat surface until it dries.
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