Memories from the Coast and North Sea Mandala



I am sorry for being a little bit away from you and crochet last week. I had a vacation by the sea coast and was totally blown away by the wind and waves. How often do you travel? And how often do you have vacations? For me it was the first real vacation in probably 7 years. With my husband only and with no dog and kid… I was feeling not very well last years, depressed sometimes, becoming weak and sleepy, losing the sense of everything. Very often life reminds a magic circle (not a crochet one :) - with the same duties every day. You know pretty well how to manage your life, you automatically do the same operations and early or late you lose the taste of life. This is what was happening to me. But the sea gives so much energy and inspiration. So I am back on track, with new ideas and a small present for you.

Maybe the North Sea is not the best choice to spend summer vacations at, but I couldn't dream about anything better. As I can't swim, it was enough for me just to walk by the sea line and to listen to the music of wind and waves. Actually winds are very strong in this part of the world and I was amazed how very small children were running naked and jumped into the water again and again. How were they not freezing?.. I don't know.



The sun light is very special here. It is not brightly yellow, and it's not hot (though you can easily burn just in two hours). The sun is pale and the color of the water is silver gray. All the landscapes are pale – sand, dunes, flowers…






Was I just lying at the beach and wondering in dunes at the Belgian coast all days long? NO! I was also working hard and am almost ready with a new mandala design! I took the pictures and just need to write the pattern down. So hopefully it will be ready very soon. (Update: North Sea Mandala pattern is published and can be found HERE)


I used two skeins of Larra cotton yarn by Scheepjes. Have you heard about this yarn brand? I guess those of you who made Sophie Universe CAL 2015 has even tried it. This yarn is not sold in Czech Republic and I was very curious to try it. And when I came to Belgium my point number one was to find a yarn shop and to have a look at this yarn.


I was very lucky to get acquainted with Amarice, the owner of yarn shop in Gent. I really liked Stone Washed cotton by Scheepjes in real life – it is very soft and colors are nice. But I chose two skein of Larra, they were on sale as Amarice said they lied in the sun for a while and faded, but for me these skeins looked just perfect – just reflecting my mood at that moment. I've always liked the combination of pale peach and turquoise, but all my cotton yarns are too bright. So when I saw these skeins, I didn't hesitate for a single second. It would be clever of me to take the picture of yarn first but I was so excited to start crocheting at once that I made a picture when the skeins became twice smaller…


Amarice’s shop is participating in a Ravelry In-Store program and is selling hard copies of patterns by crochet designers to non-Ravelry users. I’ve known about this program for a while but didn’t dare to try it. And when I got acquainted with Amarice, she inspired me to give it a try. So in coming days I plan to activate this program on Ravelry. If you are a Ravelry user who runs a local yarn shop and is interested in selling my patterns off-line to customers who don’t use Ravelry – please, contact me and we will discuss the possibilities.

Actually, how often do you fly with a crochet hook with your hand luggage? I was afraid I will not be allowed to bring my hooks on board, so I had to leave them at home (with very hard heart). But in Belgium I felt I cannot stay without a crochet for a single day (yes, it’s drug! And you probably know it), so I also bought a new hook in Gent. I normally use Clover Soft Touch, but this time I decided to try Knit Pro Soft Grip. I chose 2.5mm for Larra yarn, as I am a very tight hooker. And I should say I am very pleased with it. Its surface is very smooth and stitches are easily sliding. I also like the design very much with elegant black handle. I have been crocheting for 5 hours in total on the plane (while flying back home) and on the train and my wrist didn’t get tired. So I am quite happy with it. Well, now I have two hooks of the same size, but as you also probably know from your own crochet experience – hooks (as well as yarn) can never be enough.


My North Sea Mandala design is very simple, I used only two colors. Its size is ideal to be used as a potholder (you can also crochet a back part). And you can also make small matching coasters with this pattern. Two skeins were enough (for me) to make 2 mandalas and 4 coasters. The pattern (free!) is coming soon…

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Happy crocheting,





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23 comments

  1. So pleased to hear you had a lovely holiday by the sea which also inspired your new mandala. So looking forward to seeing it.

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    1. Thank you Sharon! It was really a wonderful holiday. But after a few days back at home, only the pictures remind me about it :)

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  2. Lovely Photos! I can see your inspiration for your new mandala! I'm working through the Circles of the Sun CAL and I'm thinking I'll be able to tackle some of the more complex overlays after.
    Thank you!

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    1. Good!! This is exactly what I wanted from my CAL. I wanted to make overlay crochet closer to everyone as I am so much in love with this technique.

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  3. I need a vacation too! Its been years for me and I have that feeling you described. I love your new mandala, the colors look like the sky and sand at the beach. Beautiful photos of the plants there, they are different from the beach plants here.

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    1. Vacation is a best way to switch off! I wish I could have them more often...

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  4. Hello Tatsiana that beautiful place you visited. Ah! sea silver! I usually
    say when I need to "recharge my batteries" I go to the beach! I wish to you acquired the full force of the sea, to continue, along with all of us, sharing their work and making happy and being happy! very happy! Congratulations, much happiness to you!

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    1. Thank you Christine! I would love to live by the sea. But I've moved to a foreign country once in my life and I am not sure I will move somewhere again... Or maybe in many years...

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  5. Any place by any sea is always peaceful and good for inspiration. So glad you were inspired to do your new Mandala and cannot wait for the pattern. Llving Circles of the Sun too. Congratulations - you inspire me to keep hooking!

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    1. Charmaine, I will ask testers to finish testing it asap :)

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  6. I love to be by the water. The last we went on vacation was two years ago on a cruise to Jamaca. When my husband bought the tickets I go a room with a balcony just for me. I love the new Mandala and the colors, I can't wait until you get the pattern out.

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  7. Glad you have had a lovely holiday
    I have just discovered you recently through your crochet along and have been enjoying the squares
    I love your new Mandela pattern and can't wait for you to publish it
    Thank you for your lovely patterns
    Lynette from Australia

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  8. Your mandala is so pretty, I love it. Cannot wait for the pattern.
    Your vacation looks like it was really relaxing and the photos are lovely.
    I live in Cape Town, South Africa where we have wonderful bright sunlight, but I can see that those grey skies and sea can be really calming. Glad you enjoyed it!
    I've only really now got to know about you, and your patterns are so lovely! Will subscribe!
    Have a great day!
    Goodwool wishes, Rene

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    1. I've got acquainted with a very nice lady who used to live in South Africa for many years. She says it's a wonderful and very beautiful country.

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    2. South Africa is a beautiful country, with many contrasts. Mountains and rocky coastlines in some places, big open planes in the Karoo, where it is almost desert, white sandy beaches, blue skies for many days in the year.
      There are so many things to enjoy, but I really think our people are very interesting and warm and full of variety and creativity.
      Our country is worth a visit!
      Goodwool wishes
      Rene

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  9. What a wonderful vacation! I am so looking forward to the new mandala. I have a true weakness for potholders!

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  10. I often have North Sea holidays! I grew up in Scotland with my grandparents living on the North Sea coast east of Edinburgh and I still like to holiday there whenever I can - I have so many fond memories of the area! I hope you had a wonderful relaxing holiday! This year my holiday will be in Wales so the Irish Sea instead of the North Sea. I'm getting my holiday crochet ready with patterns of your Dandelion mandala and Circles of the Sun CAL! Although I'm holidaying with 3 kids, my husband and my parents so I probably won't have time to do much crochet!

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  11. Well I am now ready and waiting for your testers to finish testing your new pattern. My yarn arrived today.

    What a lovely feel to this yarn, I have never used Scheepjes before but have read so many comments by others who have. I bought the two colours you used and they are lovely together.

    I do have lots of other things to keep me occupied whilst waiting so will sit back patiently and finish a couple of WIPs that I really should finish, to say nothing of the last two rows on my Sophie. I am also going to be busy next week with a big guide camp I am attending.

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  12. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful patterns with us all. You have been so kind and geberous with your time and talent. It is greatly appreciated.
    I used to live by the ocean. Top of California by the Redwoods. Your pictures were so beautiful. Many times I miss the ocean very much. The ocean is the best way to disconnect for sure. We go to escape the geat most summers.
    Can't wait for this pattern to come out. Will be looking forward to it. Thanks again :-)

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    1. Debbie, this pattern is already published. Please, check this link. http://lillabjorncrochet.blogspot.com/2015/08/north-sea-mandala-free-pattern.html

      and thank you very much for your comment. It reminded me I should update this blog-post with actual link to the pattern :)

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  13. What a gorgeous area to discover! The views are absolutely stunning!

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