Showing posts with label mandala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mandala. Show all posts
Every time in the end of the year I make a virtual quilt of my published designs. I do it to keep the nice memories, as life is running fast. Maybe one day, after 20 or 30 years of designing I will compose a giant digital blanket of these small quilts… Joking of course! But who knows on the other hand ;-)
What can I say about my year 2017? It was fast! It was so fast that I cannot even believe it. At the same time last year we were sitting in a small house in the middle of mountains with my friends. We were skiing all days long, and we were celebrating New Year’s Eve together. And now… Another year has come already and I haven’t even noticed. Is it the matter of age? Or rather a lifestyle?
I have been observing the whole world from a window in my living room for 3 years already. Three years of “official designing status”. Not so much for someone. But for me it’s the whole life. Spending all days at home at my computer desk, with crochet and photo camera, surrounded by lots of virtual friends and followers might sound fun. And it’s fun, of course! But if I could wish something for a new coming year, I would ask for a change. I don’t know what this change can be. I don’t know… I will definitely continue to create, and to design. But I would also like to spend more time outside my creative box. What do you think? Is it workable? :)
Looking back at all the project I designed in 2017 makes my heart happy. You know that feeling, when you write something down (a story, or a poem, or just a short essay), or when you design something, and when you see it again after a year, or even later. You think: No way! You cannot create anything better. You have created all your best designs (written all your best stories, composed all your best songs) already. And you cannot create as good as this one again. This is exactly the feeling I have when I look back at my designs from year 2017. Not that I think they are perfect (though I am really happy with all of them). It's just my own, personal feeling. They all are my babies.
January:
Labyrinth Mandala
UFO pillow
February:
Labyrinth Border
Celtic Tiles Blanket
March:
Tree of Life Pillow
Whirl Mandala Cardigan
April:
Dandelion Garden Pillow
Lisa the Mouse
May:
Indian Start Basket
Nori Dress
June:
Tulip Potholder
Sunny Mandala (revised pattern)
July:
Nya Mosaic Blanket
August:
Brioche Waves Blanket
September:
A Different Granny Square
October:
Spirits of Life Wrap CAL
November:
Pastel Triangles Pillow
Wintery Octagon Mandala
And several comissioned patterns for magazines: Winter Light Poncho and Tropical Flower Pouf
Can year 2018 be at least a little bit as creative as last year? I hope so!
There is one project among listed above which I am extremely proud of! This project took the whole year of my life. In good sense. And in many other senses, too… It’s Spirits of Life CAL. When I first thought about this idea, it didn’t sound very “massive” to me. And this was for the good, because otherwise I would never dare to “touch” it.
When half of the work was done and it was too late to give up I suddenly realized it was turning into something huge, and not simple at all. I had to write down the patterns in techniques I have never written any patterns before. And I had to create videos. What a Challenge!!! I am not the one who gives up easily, but now (when the CAL is over) I can tell you a secret. There were quite a few moments when I felt I would fall down, or hide under the rock where no one could find me. And now, when all patterns are released, and my YouTube channel is launched, and many people all over the world have finished their Spirit Wraps I feel nothing than being proud of myself! (And I don't have that feeling often...)
And there is one more thing I am extremely proud of! It’s the fact I have my own yarn now. My own shade of a brand new yarn Our Tribe by Scheepjes. I have been a member of Scheepjes Bloggers team for 2.5 years already. And this collaboration has brought me so much inspiration, and joy. I hope it will last for many more years.
Year 2017 was significant in many ways for me. It helped me to realize how far I moved forward in what I love, and what I believe in. I am so far that it’s also scary… It feels like the best moments are behind already. I am really afraid that one day my creative spirit will be gone, that all “muses” will hide. And I will stay alone in my living room, at my desk, with my computer and photo camera. But with no inspiration… It’s so difficult to put into words. It happened a few times already. And that's a scarry feeling... So I better stop thinking about it. And rather hope that year 2018 will be full of new adventures!
I believe it will be a nice year. It’s a Dog's year. And I have a dog. Her name is Nejra. She is more red than yellow, but she is a dog anyway. A lovely, kind, openhearted, loving, happy friend. Once, many years ago, she saved me from feeling lonely. And today she is one of my best friends. Love her!
Happy New Year!!
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What can I say about my year 2017? It was fast! It was so fast that I cannot even believe it. At the same time last year we were sitting in a small house in the middle of mountains with my friends. We were skiing all days long, and we were celebrating New Year’s Eve together. And now… Another year has come already and I haven’t even noticed. Is it the matter of age? Or rather a lifestyle?
I have been observing the whole world from a window in my living room for 3 years already. Three years of “official designing status”. Not so much for someone. But for me it’s the whole life. Spending all days at home at my computer desk, with crochet and photo camera, surrounded by lots of virtual friends and followers might sound fun. And it’s fun, of course! But if I could wish something for a new coming year, I would ask for a change. I don’t know what this change can be. I don’t know… I will definitely continue to create, and to design. But I would also like to spend more time outside my creative box. What do you think? Is it workable? :)
Looking back at all the project I designed in 2017 makes my heart happy. You know that feeling, when you write something down (a story, or a poem, or just a short essay), or when you design something, and when you see it again after a year, or even later. You think: No way! You cannot create anything better. You have created all your best designs (written all your best stories, composed all your best songs) already. And you cannot create as good as this one again. This is exactly the feeling I have when I look back at my designs from year 2017. Not that I think they are perfect (though I am really happy with all of them). It's just my own, personal feeling. They all are my babies.
January:
Labyrinth Mandala
UFO pillow
February:
Labyrinth Border
Celtic Tiles Blanket
March:
Tree of Life Pillow
Whirl Mandala Cardigan
April:
Dandelion Garden Pillow
Lisa the Mouse
May:
Indian Start Basket
Nori Dress
June:
Tulip Potholder
Sunny Mandala (revised pattern)
July:
Nya Mosaic Blanket
August:
Brioche Waves Blanket
September:
A Different Granny Square
October:
Spirits of Life Wrap CAL
November:
Pastel Triangles Pillow
Wintery Octagon Mandala
And several comissioned patterns for magazines: Winter Light Poncho and Tropical Flower Pouf
Can year 2018 be at least a little bit as creative as last year? I hope so!
There is one project among listed above which I am extremely proud of! This project took the whole year of my life. In good sense. And in many other senses, too… It’s Spirits of Life CAL. When I first thought about this idea, it didn’t sound very “massive” to me. And this was for the good, because otherwise I would never dare to “touch” it.
When half of the work was done and it was too late to give up I suddenly realized it was turning into something huge, and not simple at all. I had to write down the patterns in techniques I have never written any patterns before. And I had to create videos. What a Challenge!!! I am not the one who gives up easily, but now (when the CAL is over) I can tell you a secret. There were quite a few moments when I felt I would fall down, or hide under the rock where no one could find me. And now, when all patterns are released, and my YouTube channel is launched, and many people all over the world have finished their Spirit Wraps I feel nothing than being proud of myself! (And I don't have that feeling often...)
And there is one more thing I am extremely proud of! It’s the fact I have my own yarn now. My own shade of a brand new yarn Our Tribe by Scheepjes. I have been a member of Scheepjes Bloggers team for 2.5 years already. And this collaboration has brought me so much inspiration, and joy. I hope it will last for many more years.
Year 2017 was significant in many ways for me. It helped me to realize how far I moved forward in what I love, and what I believe in. I am so far that it’s also scary… It feels like the best moments are behind already. I am really afraid that one day my creative spirit will be gone, that all “muses” will hide. And I will stay alone in my living room, at my desk, with my computer and photo camera. But with no inspiration… It’s so difficult to put into words. It happened a few times already. And that's a scarry feeling... So I better stop thinking about it. And rather hope that year 2018 will be full of new adventures!
I believe it will be a nice year. It’s a Dog's year. And I have a dog. Her name is Nejra. She is more red than yellow, but she is a dog anyway. A lovely, kind, openhearted, loving, happy friend. Once, many years ago, she saved me from feeling lonely. And today she is one of my best friends. Love her!
Happy New Year!!
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It’s hard to believe but one more year is almost gone… For me it almost flied. Really fast. It seems like only a few weeks ago I was sitting in front a computer and typing the same post about results of year 2015… And year 2017 is almost knocking at my door. Already! I hope it was a good year for you. And if it was sad for some reason, I hope new year will bring you joy, peace and happiness.
Right now I am sitting upstairs in a small house in the middle of Czech mountains Beskidy. My friends from Belarus are visiting us. And we decided to escape from the city, and celebrate New year eve in the nature. There is a fire in a fireplace. And I can hear kids laughter outside. Together with my husband they are trying to set up a fire outdoors and to cook something to eat… It’s a nice moment to stay alone for an hour. And to think of passing year and about what it brought to me.
I’ve made a collage using crocheted projects designed in year 2016. I believe these are not all of them, are they? (all available in my Ravelry shop HERE). When I put them together I was surprised to see that colour palette is not so bright and vibrant as it was last year. It's more into calm and blue blues and pastel. And I wonder what it will look like in a year again.
So what did year 2016 bring to me?.. It was a nice year. I am thankful for my family, parents and friends being healthy. I don’t see them often. But it’s always great to think of them and know they are well.
I am continuously trying to grow as a crochet designer. And I continue to work in overlay crochet and to create mandala’s. This year two wonderful designs were born. It’s Spanish Mandala and Joana’s Mandala and Border. And I finally created a true Celtic Mandala (and I am sure more Celtic designs will come in the future).
This year a few of my designs were published for the first time!! They are Stepping Stones pouf cover, Striped Top and Moonlight Butterfly Blanket published in YARN book-a-zine. Lisa the mouse amigurumi pattern was published in November issue of Crochet Now magazine (unfortunately I haven’t got hard copy of this magazine yet to show you, but I will as soon as a I get it!). And 2 my designs were published in a freshly printed Baby Rainbow Book. I got a copy 2 minutes before I left my home and went to the mountains. I just looked through it very quickly (it’s amazing!!) and I will share more details and pictures with you when I come back home.
Being a journalist in my past life I had several hundreds of articles and interviews published in newspapers and magazines. But it felt absolutely differently to be published as a crochet designer. You know I am not an educated designer, or an artist… I am just a crafter who has been crocheting and knitting for entire life. And to see my design and my name in printed magazine… it feels WOW! Like a recognition.
I continued to collaborate with Dutch yarn producer Scheepjes. Being a part of their Bloggers team I visited the Netherlands twice this year (if you search my blog with “Notes from the Netherlads” you can read my reportages about these stays). And I was lucky and proud to participate in Last Dance on the Beach CAL as a designer. Just 2 weeks ago I finished my own Dance in the Rain blanket. And I am so happy with it! In collaboration with Scheepjes company I have created a few free patterns. And I will continue to give them away next year as well.
Thank you very much for staying with me and reading my blog. And joining my CAL’s! I almost forgot to mention Peacock Tail Bag CAL which was running in the summer. I got lots of lovely messages and e-mails, and I am so happy you are loving overlay crochet technique as much as I do. I am thinking about a new CAL for the next year. I hope my creative energy will be enough to accomplish what I have planned.
My blog has almost hit 2.000.000 views! WOW! We should definitely celebrate this. With a new free pattern maybe? ;-)
What else to say… I don’t know. It was a nice year. Full of inspiration and ideas. And I hope next year will be the same. At least.
Happy New Year!
And let all your dreams (and plans) come true!
With love,
Right now I am sitting upstairs in a small house in the middle of Czech mountains Beskidy. My friends from Belarus are visiting us. And we decided to escape from the city, and celebrate New year eve in the nature. There is a fire in a fireplace. And I can hear kids laughter outside. Together with my husband they are trying to set up a fire outdoors and to cook something to eat… It’s a nice moment to stay alone for an hour. And to think of passing year and about what it brought to me.
I’ve made a collage using crocheted projects designed in year 2016. I believe these are not all of them, are they? (all available in my Ravelry shop HERE). When I put them together I was surprised to see that colour palette is not so bright and vibrant as it was last year. It's more into calm and blue blues and pastel. And I wonder what it will look like in a year again.
 |
| Spanish Mandala |
So what did year 2016 bring to me?.. It was a nice year. I am thankful for my family, parents and friends being healthy. I don’t see them often. But it’s always great to think of them and know they are well.
I am continuously trying to grow as a crochet designer. And I continue to work in overlay crochet and to create mandala’s. This year two wonderful designs were born. It’s Spanish Mandala and Joana’s Mandala and Border. And I finally created a true Celtic Mandala (and I am sure more Celtic designs will come in the future).
This year a few of my designs were published for the first time!! They are Stepping Stones pouf cover, Striped Top and Moonlight Butterfly Blanket published in YARN book-a-zine. Lisa the mouse amigurumi pattern was published in November issue of Crochet Now magazine (unfortunately I haven’t got hard copy of this magazine yet to show you, but I will as soon as a I get it!). And 2 my designs were published in a freshly printed Baby Rainbow Book. I got a copy 2 minutes before I left my home and went to the mountains. I just looked through it very quickly (it’s amazing!!) and I will share more details and pictures with you when I come back home.
Being a journalist in my past life I had several hundreds of articles and interviews published in newspapers and magazines. But it felt absolutely differently to be published as a crochet designer. You know I am not an educated designer, or an artist… I am just a crafter who has been crocheting and knitting for entire life. And to see my design and my name in printed magazine… it feels WOW! Like a recognition.
I continued to collaborate with Dutch yarn producer Scheepjes. Being a part of their Bloggers team I visited the Netherlands twice this year (if you search my blog with “Notes from the Netherlads” you can read my reportages about these stays). And I was lucky and proud to participate in Last Dance on the Beach CAL as a designer. Just 2 weeks ago I finished my own Dance in the Rain blanket. And I am so happy with it! In collaboration with Scheepjes company I have created a few free patterns. And I will continue to give them away next year as well.
Thank you very much for staying with me and reading my blog. And joining my CAL’s! I almost forgot to mention Peacock Tail Bag CAL which was running in the summer. I got lots of lovely messages and e-mails, and I am so happy you are loving overlay crochet technique as much as I do. I am thinking about a new CAL for the next year. I hope my creative energy will be enough to accomplish what I have planned.
My blog has almost hit 2.000.000 views! WOW! We should definitely celebrate this. With a new free pattern maybe? ;-)
What else to say… I don’t know. It was a nice year. Full of inspiration and ideas. And I hope next year will be the same. At least.
Happy New Year!
And let all your dreams (and plans) come true!
With love,
I have been secretly working on this project for a very long time... I can’t even tell you how much time it took me to figure out this pattern. And how many times I frogged and remade each repeat before it looked exactly like I wanted it to be. The idea of this Mandala was born last summer. And six months later Joana’s Mandala pattern was released (you read about this design HERE). But from the very beginning I knew I want to grow it into something bigger. And I wanted it to be of a circle shape. So ta-dah! Let me introduce a Joana’s Border to you!
Using this pattern you can enlarge existing Joana’s mandala into a medium-sized throw or a rug. I say medium-sized, because my mandala turned out to be 85 cm (34in) large across. I used 3.25mm (D) Clover Soft Touch* hook and Stone Washed yarn by Scheepjes (Sport weight). But if you decide to go for a thicker yarn and larger hook, your mandala will become even bigger. If you would like to use the same shades, have a look at this yarn on Wool Warehouse* and Deramores* (both retailers are shipping internationally), Paradise Fibers* (US) and in local Scheepjes shops. And if you have never seen and touched this yarn for real – please read my review HERE.
Joana’s border pattern is available for purchase in my Ravelry store HERE. You can purchase both Joana’s Mandala and Joana’s Border and save 2$. To use this offer, please put BOTH patterns to your cart (DON'T type in any codes) and the discount will apply automatically. If you have already purchased Joana’s Mandala before – it will still count for a discount and you will not pay twice for it, but you should still put BOTH patterns into the cart. But please, note if you purchased Joana's mandala with a discount before - you will now get a smaller discount on Border. 2$ is a total discount for Joana's set of patterns.
Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue
What are the main features of this design? As well as Joana’s Mandala the Border is made in overlay crochet technique with lots of front post stitches and cabling. The structure of crocheted fabric is very textured. But at the same time it is pliable, as I tried to use long (double crochet – US terms) stitches for the background everywhere it worked. And I believe this mandala can also be used as a baby throw/blanket.
I tried to stay with the same theme as mandala and used the same colours. But this border will work excellent for any mandala with 248 stitches on the last round. For example it will perfectly suit Dandelion Mandala and Sophie’s Mandala by Dedri Uys.
When I first started to work on this design, I wanted it to look Celtic – with many knots and crosses. But when the central mandala was finished it didn’t refer to Celtic theme anymore. But I didn’t stop at that point and added some more knots to the border.
This pattern is aimed for the intermediate crocheters, as lots of overlay (front post) stitches are used here. You will need lots of attention and concentration while working with it, and lots of counting will be involved. The bigger mandala is, the longer repeats are getting and it is really helpful to use stitch markers to mark each repeat on every round. It will definitely save you lots of time and prevent from remaking.
This is not the quickest project, but I promise you will be happy with the result! :)
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*This blog post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support!
Using this pattern you can enlarge existing Joana’s mandala into a medium-sized throw or a rug. I say medium-sized, because my mandala turned out to be 85 cm (34in) large across. I used 3.25mm (D) Clover Soft Touch* hook and Stone Washed yarn by Scheepjes (Sport weight). But if you decide to go for a thicker yarn and larger hook, your mandala will become even bigger. If you would like to use the same shades, have a look at this yarn on Wool Warehouse* and Deramores* (both retailers are shipping internationally), Paradise Fibers* (US) and in local Scheepjes shops. And if you have never seen and touched this yarn for real – please read my review HERE.
Joana’s border pattern is available for purchase in my Ravelry store HERE. You can purchase both Joana’s Mandala and Joana’s Border and save 2$. To use this offer, please put BOTH patterns to your cart (DON'T type in any codes) and the discount will apply automatically. If you have already purchased Joana’s Mandala before – it will still count for a discount and you will not pay twice for it, but you should still put BOTH patterns into the cart. But please, note if you purchased Joana's mandala with a discount before - you will now get a smaller discount on Border. 2$ is a total discount for Joana's set of patterns.
Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue
What are the main features of this design? As well as Joana’s Mandala the Border is made in overlay crochet technique with lots of front post stitches and cabling. The structure of crocheted fabric is very textured. But at the same time it is pliable, as I tried to use long (double crochet – US terms) stitches for the background everywhere it worked. And I believe this mandala can also be used as a baby throw/blanket.
I tried to stay with the same theme as mandala and used the same colours. But this border will work excellent for any mandala with 248 stitches on the last round. For example it will perfectly suit Dandelion Mandala and Sophie’s Mandala by Dedri Uys.
When I first started to work on this design, I wanted it to look Celtic – with many knots and crosses. But when the central mandala was finished it didn’t refer to Celtic theme anymore. But I didn’t stop at that point and added some more knots to the border.
This pattern is aimed for the intermediate crocheters, as lots of overlay (front post) stitches are used here. You will need lots of attention and concentration while working with it, and lots of counting will be involved. The bigger mandala is, the longer repeats are getting and it is really helpful to use stitch markers to mark each repeat on every round. It will definitely save you lots of time and prevent from remaking.
This is not the quickest project, but I promise you will be happy with the result! :)
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*This blog post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support!
A new release and a new Mandala. Again! Last spring my friend Joana asked me to design a Celtic mandala for her. My husband is very much into Celtic theme too and he immediately supported this idea. For me it was first ever experience of designing Celtic knots, I studied different images and books. But as always, my inspiration brought me somewhere else (as I cannot really control the flow of creative energy), so as a result this Mandala doesn’t look very Celtic – and “knots” more remind of dancing butterflies. I named this mandala after Joana because it was she who inspired me to start working on it. But I loved to crochet different knots so much that maybe in the future I will design something really looking Celtic…
And so far let me introduce a Joana’s Mandala to you! I usually use many bright and contrasting colours for my mandala designs. But this time I wanted to go for something calm, plain and elegant maybe? I wanted this design not to appeal with colors but with clear lines and very obvious image.
Joana’s Mandala pattern is available for purchase HERE on Ravelry HERE on Etsy and HERE on Loveknitting.
Add this Pattern to your Ravelry Queue
This mandala is designed in overlay crochet with lots of front post stitches. But it is not so stiff as many other projects made in this technique. This time I decided to use double crochet (US term) stitches instead of single crochet – for the background. And the mandala turned out to be soft and pliable.
This mandala is made with blend cotton yarn Stone Washed* by Scheepjes (read my review about this yarn HERE) in shades Boulder Opal (804), Amazonite (813) and Moon Stone (801). As it is already told by the name of the yarn itself, it has a stone washed effect. The shades are not bold and solid, but they have a kind of antique look. And I am very satisfied with how this particular yarn worked for my new mandala. If you are in US you can check Stone Washed yarn at Paradise Fibers*.
I used Clover Soft Touch* crochet hook 3.25 mm (D) and mandala turned out to be approx. 39 cm (15 ½ inches) in diameter. The difficulty level of this pattern is Intermediate because of front post stitches. Working with this pattern demands your attention and concentration. It is not difficult to follow (especially if you worked with overlay crochet before), but you need to read instructions carefully and count well. So that the stitch count on every round is correct. I enjoyed working with this mandala and hope you will also have lots of fun!
As other crochet mandalas this one can be used as a table decoration, appliqué for a pillow cover, stool cover, potholder and even a round pillow. You can read about different ways to use crochet mandala in THIS post (don’t forget to read comments as well, as there are some great TIPs there).
I have an idea to create a wide round border for this mandala to transform it into a rug (for meditation for example) or a medium sized throw for a chair or sofa… or even a baby blanket. It is just an idea so far, but I will be working on it :) So… to be continued.
And yes! Almost forgot to tell that Joana's mandala has exactly the same stitch count on the last round as needed for Dandelion Border. So you can square it up with this pattern!
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*This blog post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support!
I should tell you the truth. I am totally obsessed with making mandalas.
Sometimes I have a thought about designing a blanket, or a small accessory. But
then another mandala idea pops-up and I forget about everything. Even if I make
a bag – it is round shaped and with the mandala on the front. Do you think it is
a diagnose? A kind of disease? A mandala virus? I don’t know… But I released a
new mandala design again. Though a little bit different this time.
I love to play with colors, but sometimes you need a “color silence” to clear
your thoughts and think more about the shape and structure. I had one big ball
of
Barroco Natural
yarn by Circulo, and I decided to play with it a bit and to create a
monochrome design. With some simple cabling… and this is how my new Minimalist
Cabled Mandala was born. The pattern is available
HERE on Ravelry.
I am very often asked how crocheted mandalas can be used. Yes, they are
beautiful, and colorful and flat. But what is their practical use? And I’ve got
an idea of this post. To show you (on the example of my new
Minimalist Cabled Mandala) different ways of using them.
If your mandala is thick enough – you can also use it as a chair pad. You can
use it just as it is (flat) of you can do what I did. I purchased ready chair
pads in Ikea and stitched mandalas by hand onto it. As a result – you have a
handmade unique accessory with a fabric look.
You can decorate your old pillow cover but stitching a crocheted mandala onto
it. Or you can even make a wall hanging! I came across a nice idea of how to
frame crocheted mandalas. If you are lucky to find a metal (or plastic, or
wooden) ring the same size as your mandala – you can crochet the last round with
sc around mandala and over the ring at the same time. Easy and effective!
I used cotton yarn Bloom* by Scheepjes to make this pair of monochrome potholders (two skeins for each potholder).
Instructions for the bottom layer are given in the pattern. I suggest to join
both layers with one round of sc and then add one round of crab stitches to give
your potholder a nice finished look.
To join top and bottom layers of the pot holder put them together facing with the wrong sides. Work joining rnd (with sc) on the right side of top part inserting your hook through both lps on the last rnd of both layers.
You can also make a loop while putting your potholder together:
Continue with sc till you come to the top of any petal, chain 10 and sc into the same stitch of joining round, forming a loop. Continue with the joining round until the end, finish with a slst in the first sc of joining rnd, don’t fasten off. Return making a round of crab stitch. When you reach the ch10-space, turn work, make 15 sc in the loop, turn work and continue with crab stitch until the end of the round. Cut the thread, fasten off.
The size of my stool cover is approx. 32.5 cm (13 inches) across. And here is
what I did:
Follow Minimalist Cabled Mandala pattern till rnd 12.
Rnd 12-14. 132 dc
Rnd 15. *1dc in each of next 4 sts, 1dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 5 dc* 12 times; join with sl st in ch2-sp. (120)
Rnd 16. Note: make ch1 instead of 1st sc.
*1sc in each of next 7 sts, 1sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc in next st* 12 times; join with sl st in ch2-sp. (108) You may fasten off now or make one rnd with crab stitch and then fasten off and weave yarn tail in.
To make a stool cover in different size, continue with the mandala pattern till
you reach the desired size (the diameter of your stool). If mandala with 2nd rnd
of petals turns to be too large but mandala with one rnd of petals is too small
– you can stop making mandala pattern after rnd 11 and then add several rnds
with dc stitches and 12 increases on each round (see instructions for bottom
part of the potholder in the pattern). When you reach the desired size - add
several more rounds with dc stitches and NO increases, and then one or two
rounds with decreases as mentioned above. When you are satisfied with the stool
cover’s shape, make one rnd with crab stitches and fasten off (weave in yarn
tail).
This pillow was made by Cindy Douglass. Cindy was helping me to test the
pattern and in the end decided to make one more mandala and turn it into the
pillow. She kindly gave me a permission to share her pictures and notes with
you:
Here are all the ways of using crocheted mandala I’ve come up with… Do you know any other? Please, share your ideas in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
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1. Flat decoration: trivet, chair pad, wall hanging
Of course the main function of the mandala is to actually decorate. Mandala is round and flat. Large or small it can be used as a table decoration: as a trivet for a bowl with fruits for example, or vase with flowers.
2. Potholder
Another wonderful way of using mandalas is to make potholders of them. They can be one- or double layered. Lace or structured.I used cotton yarn Bloom* by Scheepjes to make this pair of monochrome potholders (two skeins for each potholder).
To join top and bottom layers of the pot holder put them together facing with the wrong sides. Work joining rnd (with sc) on the right side of top part inserting your hook through both lps on the last rnd of both layers.
Continue with sc till you come to the top of any petal, chain 10 and sc into the same stitch of joining round, forming a loop. Continue with the joining round until the end, finish with a slst in the first sc of joining rnd, don’t fasten off. Return making a round of crab stitch. When you reach the ch10-space, turn work, make 15 sc in the loop, turn work and continue with crab stitch until the end of the round. Cut the thread, fasten off.
3. Round stool cover
If you have old round stool and want to give it a new life, you can adjust mandala pattern and make an elegant stool cover.
Follow Minimalist Cabled Mandala pattern till rnd 12.
Rnd 12-14. 132 dc
Rnd 15. *1dc in each of next 4 sts, 1dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 5 dc* 12 times; join with sl st in ch2-sp. (120)
Rnd 16. Note: make ch1 instead of 1st sc.
*1sc in each of next 7 sts, 1sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc in next st* 12 times; join with sl st in ch2-sp. (108) You may fasten off now or make one rnd with crab stitch and then fasten off and weave yarn tail in.
4. Pillow
Do you like pillows? I do! But I only have square ones. Crocheted mandala gives you a great chance to easily make a round one, too.
- I made two mandalas following the pattern. After rnd 15 I added one round of dc and then one round of sc, with no increases in either round. I purchased a 16" pillow form (largest I could find), but had to add some quilt batting around it to fill out the pillow covering. The finished pillow measures about 17" when laid on a yard stick.
- I slip stitched the front and back together through Back Loops only of the sc round (except for the 16" section for the zipper I used).
- I hand sewed the zipper in place using Back Loops of the last round on each mandala (next time I'll probably do the zipper first as it would have been easier).
- Then I crab-stitched in the Front Loop only around both mandalas. This way the zipper is pretty much hidden by the crab stitch when looking at the pillow from either side.
5. Rug
Mandalas will make great rugs. I haven’t tried this particular pattern to make a rug but I believe it will make a very nice rug when made with T-shirt yarn.Here are all the ways of using crocheted mandala I’ve come up with… Do you know any other? Please, share your ideas in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
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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.
Dandelion is probably one of the most common flowers. I cannot say about the
whole world but at least in the Czech Republic everyone knows what dandelions
look like. I find something magic and very attractive about them. They are very
simple, but they have a deep meaning and are used in many ways. They are
symbolic of positivity, progress and survival.
I decided to design a mandala pattern in Overlay crochet which could remind me of dandelions. I could have used green, yellow and white to make it more realistic. But then it would be too obvious. And instead I chose the colors which reflected my mood in the best way at that moment. Even today my husband insists this mandala is not a dandelion, but I don’t even want to listen to him!
I decided to design a mandala pattern in Overlay crochet which could remind me of dandelions. I could have used green, yellow and white to make it more realistic. But then it would be too obvious. And instead I chose the colors which reflected my mood in the best way at that moment. Even today my husband insists this mandala is not a dandelion, but I don’t even want to listen to him!
For a long time I have been dreaming to design a crocheted bracelet with
mandala. I saw so many leather cuffs and I liked them so much that I decided “to
steal” the idea and to implement it in crochet. As a result I’ve created a
series of three mandala cuffs. They all have the same construction: a circle
medallion as a centre piece and wide band. I decided to make a closure with a
button so that the length of bracelet could be adjustable for different sizes of
wrists. All bracelets are made in overlay crochet and offer and excellent chance
to try this technique.
This tutorial on how to make Spring Flower crocheted bracelet is a great way to
practice popcorn stitches!
Let me introduce my second crocheted mandala bag. When I finished my first
Wheel of Magic Purse
I liked a lot the idea of using mandalas as front parts for round crocheted
bags. The circle in general seems full of harmony to me. I think it is an ideal
shape: with no beginning and no end, with no sharp corners. I use cross body
bags a lot and the round are my favourite. I also find them very womanly.
Designing a crocheted item is a very creative process. Even if you have a
"shaped" idea (as you think) still it can turn into anything else in practice.
And here is an example. It should have been a star but it turned out to be
something completely different. Another mandala, actually. And a nice decoration
for a pillow cover, I think. The test is finished already and this “Mint Coffee
Mandala” pattern is available in
Etsy
and
Ravelry
shops!
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