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Mandala Art

Crochet mandalas have the same function as regular mandalas, which are used for mindfulness and meditation exercises. A basic stitch pattern that you repeat around a circle has a relaxing effect and allows your thoughts to wander while you work. You can use any color you like for your mandala, or even just one color; however, crocheting a rainbow is also a lot of fun. This variant creates a playful marled effect by combining several colors with a neutral.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

• US J/10 (6-millimeter) hook
• Large tapestry needle

Materials

• 8 skeins DK-weight yarn (each a different color)

Instructions

1. Round 1: Start the Mandala

With the main color, chain 5 and slip stitch to join. Chain 3, double crochet 11 into the starting ring. Slip stitch to join, adding color one.

A few notes:

• Unless noted, turning chains count as a stitch.
• At the end of most rounds, the instructions tell you to add a secondary color, change to another secondary color, or drop a secondary color. Make this change when you insert the hook for the slip stitch and yarn over with the yarn for the next round.

2. Round 2: Adding and Dropping Colors

With the main color and color one held together, chain 4 (double crochet, chain 1) between each stitch. Slip stitch to join, changing to color two.

3. Rounds 3 to 5: Growing the Mandala

Round 3: Holding both the primary and secondary colors together, rep from * to the finish, switching colors in the final slip stitch. * Skip one chain, 5 double crochet in next double crochet, skip one chain, slip stitch in next double crochet.

Round 4: Holding the primary color and color three together, chain 5, triple crochet on top of shell, *double crochet in slip stitch, chain 2, triple crochet on top of shell, repeat from * to finish. Chain 2, drop color three, slip stitch to join.

Round 5: Using the primary color alone, chain three (which does not count as a stitch), *3 double crochet in chain space, skip one stitch, puff stitch twice, 3 double crochet in chain space, puff stitch, repeat from * to finish, working the last puff stitch in the round four turning chain. Join by slip stitching in color four.

Advice
Work each puff stitch as if it were a stitch with nine loops on the hook, then work the stitch to completion using a chain stitch.

4. Rounds 6 to 9: Making It Lacy

Round 6: Chain 6; single crochet in between puff stitches; chain 5; repeat from * to end; single crochet in between puff stitches; chain 5; single crochet in between puff stitches; repeat from * to finish. Join using slip stitch, making color four active.

Round 7: Chain 4, using the primary color and a complementary color, *skip 2 stitches, double crochet in the next chain, chain 1, skip 2 stitches, double crochet in the next single crochet, chain 1, repeat from * to the last section of chain stitches. In the following chain, skip two stitches, (2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet), slip stitch to join, then switch to color five.

Round 8: using the primary color and color five, chain one (which does not count as a stitch), *single crochet in chain space, single crochet 2, 3 single crochet in chain space, single crochet 2, single crochet in chain space, single crochet, repeat from * to finish. Join with slip stitching, letting go of color five.

Round 9: Chain 8, skip 4 stitches, slip stitch, *chain 5, skip 4 stitches, double crochet, chain 5, skip 4 stitches, slip stitch, chain 5, skip 4 stitches, repeat from * to finish. This is the only way to work with the main color. Join by slip stitching in color six.

5. Rounds 10 to 13: Finishing the Mandala

Repeat from * to finish, working one single crochet instead of two in the first stitch.

Round 10: Using the main color and color six, chain 1, *chain 2, skip two stitches, single crochet, chain 2, skip two stitches, 2 single crochet. Join by slip stitching, then switch to color seven.

Round 11: Chain 6 skips two stitches, double crochet, chain 2, skips two stitches, cluster stitch, chain 2, skips two stitches, double crochet, *chain 3, skips two stitches, double crochet two together, chain 3, skips two stitches, double crochet, chain 2, skips two stitches, cluster stitch, chain 2, skips two stitches, double crochet, repeat from * to end. Chain 3, slip stitch to join, double crochet in first stitch, switching to color eight.

Note: To make this variation of the cluster stitch, start with a double crochet as usual, then work two more partial double crochets before finishing the stitch.

The steps are as follows: yarn over, pull through two loops, draw up and loop, insert hook. Yarn over, pull up and loop, yarn over, draw through two loops, and insert hook in same stitch. Yarn over, pull up and loop, yarn over, draw through two loops, and insert hook in same stitch. Yarn over and draw through each of the four loops on the hook.

Round 12: With the main color and color eight, chain 1 (does not count as a stitch), single crochet 2 in chain space, chain 1, skip one stitch, double crochet 2 in chain space, chain 1, skip one stitch, double crochet 2 in chain space, chain 1, skip one stitch, single crochet 3 in chain space, chain 1, skip one stitch, *single crochet 3 in chain space, chain 1, skip one stitch, double crochet 2 in chain space, chain 1, skip one stitch, double crochet 2 in chain space, chain 1, skip one stitch, single crochet 3 in chain space, chain 1, repeat from * to end. Slip stitch to join, dropping color eight.

Round 13: Chain 1; single crochet in each stitch; picot in each chain space; use only the main color. To join, slip stitch. Finish the yarn. Bring in all ends and, if preferred, block.

Advice
Single crochet in the same chain space after chain 3, to form a picot.

Some Advice for Creating Your Own Mandala

It’s simple to create your own mandala patterns after you’ve tried crocheting this or another. While you work, experiment with different stitches and patterns by following the arithmetic for crocheting a circle. Don’t worry if the arithmetic isn’t always correct; simply try to maintain your stitches increasing at roughly the same rate, making adjustments as you go.

Whether you arrange them in a rainbow sequence or not, mandalas are entertaining in a variety of hues. On the other hand, if you use all the same color or colors in comparable tones, you can also create a more serene design. The texture of the stitches looks really excellent when solely one color is used.

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