Hello and welcome to the final part of the Winter Scandi make-a-long. I hope you enjoyed previous parts with an Fika Embossed Mandala and Dega Brioche Pillow. And today we will be making a small overlay crochet motif - Mysa Mandala Garland.
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| Photo credit @evakobz |
Overlay crochet is one of my beloved techniques. While looking intricate, it is not that difficult to master, as you only use one color per round.
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| Photo credit @evakobz |
In the classic way of doing an overlay mandala, you break the yarn and weave in ends after every round. But for the purpose of this make-a-long, I designed a small motif without cutting yarns. So, small floats of yarn are visible on the wrong side.
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| Photo credit @evakobz |
This mandala will make a colorful coaster or hanging ornament. You can also stop at some point and make your motifs smaller. You can also create several mandalas in different sizes, join couples of them (in same size) together and stuff. This way they will make a nice decoration for a Christmas tree, or a garland.
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| Photo credit @evakobz |
Small mandalas will also become perfect last-minute gifts, or special wrapping elements for gifts.
I made a set of coasters for myself with Scheepjes Catona yarn and 3mm hook. As you can see, I could not stop, and made a few more motifs in three sizes. And joined them together into a garland, with wooden beads and a tassel.
The gauge is not important for this pattern, as well as yardages. Just dive into your stash and choose leftovers in three colors.
Hope you will have fun!
UPDATE: Mysa Mandala Garland is now available HERE on Etsy.
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Hello and welcome to the second week of the Scandi Winter mystery make-a-long. Today we will be making a brioche pillow. And if this project is too big for you (you might be very busy with making last minute gifts these days), you can still make a small sample with a few stitch pattern repeats. To try out the technique. And who knows, maybe you will fall in love with it as much as I.
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| Photo credit: @evakobz |
The Dega Brioche Pillow pattern has been added to your Ravelry library. Please, refresh it and download the instructions. As always, you will see two files. One is full of progress pictures and another one is with text only.
If you do not see anything in your library, that might be that you purchased Winter Scandi MAL listing without being logged into your Ravelry account. But no worries, please send me a message mentioning your email and Ravelry name and I will add the pattern manually.
UPDATE: Dega Brioche Pillow is available HERE on Etsy.
So, today we learn brioche crochet. I must admit that Brioche Pillow is not a beginner level. And probably not even an intermediate one. If you worked in brioche crochet before, today you will do something different, as we will work in the rows this time.
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| Photo credit: @evakobz |
As usually, you will use only one color for each row, without cutting. The yarn will be brought up to the next rows along the edge. You will work 2 rows on the right side, and two rows on the wrong side, so you will turn the work after every 2 rows (except for the very beginning).
Changing/attaching new colors might be tricky at the first glance. To help you, I have included loads of progress pictures. As well as the link to a video tutorial explaining basics of brioche crochet. Please, watch this video, as it will surely answer all your questions, and will help you with understanding of the written pattern.
You can also check a brioche masterclass here, on my blog.
Brioche crochet is all about front/back post stitches and chains, increases and decreases. Working on the wrong side might be a bit tricky, as you should work all back post stitches behind the chain spaces from the previous row. So, the basic rule is to work stitches around stitches of the same color from 2 rows below in such a way, so that chain spaces always stay on the wrong side.
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| Photo credit: @evakobz |
Again, a video tutorial should answer most of your questions (if not all of them). And if you are still not sure, you can post your progress picture in our Facebook group and ask questions there.
As for my pillow, I used Scheepjes Chunky Monkey* yarn together with 5 mm hook. I made two squares in reversed colors and joined them together with single crochet stitches.
I wish you good luck and can’t wait to all the finished pillows! Or smaller samples 😊 This brioche stitch pattern can be used for table runners, dishcloths, pot holders, and anything else you can think of.
And see you next week for the last part of the Winter Scandi MAL!
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Welcome to the first part of the Winter Scandi make-a-long. As announced, each of three patterns will use a new crochet technique, and today we will be making an Embossed Mandala. Technically, this pattern is not entirely embossed, but uses some embossed elements together with regular crochet to give you a gentle introduction into the technique.
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| Photo credit @evakobz |
If this is the first time you hear about Winter Scandi MAL, please check THIS post from the last week. To participate, you need to order instructions via Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE, and a new pattern will be added automatically to your library weekly. If you have already purchased the patterns, then just refresh your library, and instructions for Fika Embossed Mandala should be sitting there and waiting for you.
What is embossed crochet? It’s a technique that uses a combination or front post and back post stitches with shapes inspired by nature (usually, leaves). If you make a quick search about embossed crochet online, you will see lots of floral designs. My Fika Embossed Mandala also uses curved lines, but no puffy leaves, though. And in my opinion, this technique can be much more than just vines and leaves. Front post and back post stitches can be used for great textured pieces.
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| Photo credit @evakobz |
After the announcement of the Winter Scandi MAL I have received many messages about the yarn amounts. My idea was that you use up your stash for these projects. The patterns you will receive during the MAL are versatile and can be used for a variety of projects. Depending on which type and weight of the yarn you choose, and which hook size you use.
For example, today's Embossed Mandala can make a place mat, a wall hanging, a pillow and even an area rug. I have completed two projects to show you.
Here is a place mat I made with Scheepjes Legacy 100% cotton yarn (Nr 8 and color 089) together with 3 mm hook. It turned out to be approx. 34cm/13½ in across after blocking. Just the perfect size for regular plates.
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| Photo credit @evakobz |
You can even use yarns in a new color for each mandala, to make your table setting colorful and happy. My only recommendation here is to use yarn in solid colors (or gradient yarn with long color changes, such as Scheepjes Whirl). Texture is the main player here, and you do not want to draw attention away with too many colors or variegated yarn with short repeats.
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| Photo credit @evakobz |
And another project I would like to show you is a large pillow made with Scheepjes Chunky Monkey yarn (100% Premium Acrylic with anti pilling effect) and 5 mm hook. You will need 4 skeins for one mandala. I made two in different colors and joined them together with double crochet stitches. For e reversible look.
Obviously, with finer yarn (like DK or Worsted) and smaller hook, your pillow will become smaller. And with bulky yarn you can create a nice area rug.
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| Photo credit @evakobz |
I hope all your questions have been answered now, and we can give a start to Winter Scandi MAL. For pattern support, please join our group on Facebook, where this make-a-long is officially hosted.
Happy crocheting! And see you next week!
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