The above picture looks a bit blue because it was taken inside the sun tent by the river on Sunday. I took a diversion from making bunting triangles and launched myself into Mandala mode. It was good fun trying something completely new from somebody else's Creative Mind for a change, I can't remember the last time I actually followed a pattern for something.
These Mandalas first caught my eye over on Facebook, on the beautiful Patchwork Heart page. Heather's crochet is lovely, and her mandala table mats really captured my attention. So pretty, and such a lot of colour-play potential. I was immediately smitten. The pattern is written by Barbara Langer, and can be found for free (Yaayyyyyy for sharing!!) on her blog Made in K-town.
http://made-in-k-town.blogspot.de/2012/05/little-spring-mandala.html
Me being me, I couldn't resist a little play around with the pattern. For starters, I altered the outer round to make it more petal-like as I want to use them as flower heads (it's a yarn bombing thing). I also had a weeny play with the 6th round, making a two-colour long/short stitch - sorry I don't know what to call it!
I made a couple of smaller ones too, although I found that my shell petals came out a bit tight and made the mandala curl into a bowl.
So I used the steam iron hovering technique on them, flattening and re-shaping the crochet with my fingers whilst it was still warm and damp from the steam (no pins). This technique really is very marvellous indeed, it is sooooooo effective. Love it. Love the way it smooths out all the three dimensional curls and bumps and leaves you with something beautiful and two dimensional.
So far I've made two small ones measuring 12 cm across...
....and two bigger ones measuring 16cm across.
I am really happy with how they've turned out and I've got a very definite idea in my mind about how I'm going to use them for the Yarndale Yarnbombing. But I'm trying not to give too much away as I really want the Yarn Walk to be a lovely surprise for those of you who are visiting. It's actually pretty damn hard for someone like me who loves to share EvErYtHiNG and hates keeping secrets. But I am doing my best.
These Mandalas are really addictive. I challenge you to make one, and make only one. Bet you can't.
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ps forgot to mention, as with the bunting triangles, I've used odds and ends of Stylecraft Special DK (100% acrylic) on a 4mm hook for these.
Inspiration :: The Patchwork Heart
Free Pattern :: Barbara Langer at Made in K-town
Oh my gosh, I have just "found you" thanks to recommendation from my cousin in Indiana. I love your work and flair for color also! I will start small and try a Mandala Flower! You are inspiring! Thank you
Posted by: Lyn Rogers | February 11, 2018 at 07:33 PM
Whenever I need cheering up, I hop on over to your Blog, Lucy....your cheerful spirit and colors brighten me right up!
Here in Southern California, weather is actually quite hot today (in 90's (F)) and my 40+ rose bushes are all abloom along with lovely geraniums, allysum and other various colorful flowers....makes me want to crochet a garden!
Thanks for your cheerful spirit!
Posted by: LitlBits USA | May 13, 2014 at 12:55 AM
Have you shared the changes you made to the Mandala? Yours is lovely!
You are so good with color mixing, Lucy! you truly are an inspiration to all. Thank you!
Posted by: LitlBits USA | May 13, 2014 at 12:30 AM
Thank you for signposting me to Barbara's Made in K town pattern. I've just made a big one for a clock face.
http://thestitchsharer.com/2013/08/24/my-mandala-flower-crochet-rainbow-clock/
Posted by: thestitchsharer | August 24, 2013 at 08:07 PM
All mandala are beautiful. I liked the one with the yellow border the most.
Posted by: Sudha Balaji | July 18, 2013 at 02:22 AM
Thank you for sharing this lovely pattern!
Posted by: Moonlampje | July 16, 2013 at 12:59 PM
These are soooo lovely! I have been thinking about them since you first posted them. I love the Granny Mandala pattern over at the Crochet with Raymond page and have made several. I really like how these mandalas have so many intermingled colors! I'm inspired again Lucy, thank you!
Posted by: Becca | July 01, 2013 at 01:52 PM
I love these patterns and colours, I have just started to crochet myself and made myself some slippers. I am glad that I have found your blog!
Posted by: Susan Hook | June 17, 2013 at 11:34 AM
lINDA; MAS PARECE COM A fLOR FELIZ!!!
Posted by: maria de lourdes | June 17, 2013 at 03:46 AM
These are beautiful, cant wait to try them. I love the way you put the colours together to make such lovely pieces. Thank you
Posted by: Jo | June 14, 2013 at 12:47 PM
Hi Lucy. I'm quite new to your blog but love it as I've just started crocheting after a 30 year gap!! I've already made 2 of your crochet projects, the Mandala amd the Little Owls, by following the links on your blog. Thanks so much for inspiring me!
Posted by: Kay Gordon | June 12, 2013 at 09:38 AM
Very pretty and they remind me of Jane Smallcombe's work... have you heard of her? I think you might like her work... http://www.etsy.com/shop/designedbyjane
Cate, x
Posted by: Whimsycate | June 11, 2013 at 07:33 PM
Ooh aren't these a treat! Lovely choice of colours, as always. I've been making some bunting for Yarndale this past week - so excited about it! Been looking into accommodation today :)
Jones x
Posted by: The House of Jones | June 04, 2013 at 08:01 PM
Bunting ready for lift-off, Lucy! Hope you like it - it was such fun to make (especially the pom-poms!)! Can you let me know where you'd like it sent? Your mandala flowers are lovely - they'd look stunning yarn-bombing one of those metal railing fences you get in parks! Looking forward to seeing what you have in mind for them! E x
Posted by: Thomasina Tittlemouse | June 04, 2013 at 06:26 PM
What a delightful, colorful post. Thank you. I just came from another site, and the blogger, Trish, from Notes of Sincerity was talking about how she loved your blog. I agreed -- and thought I'd skip over here to tell you thank you, again. Your talks about walks outside with the little folk always warms my heart and reminds me that life should be filled with little things.
At your convenience, can you send me an email? I have a small question that I don't want to post in virtual blogland. Thanks. Have a great week, Leslie
Posted by: Leslie W | June 04, 2013 at 06:16 PM
They are so colourful and beautiful !
Posted by: Sonia Petitpoint | June 04, 2013 at 06:55 AM
Hey Lucy, you've been doing mandalas all along...your blooming flower cushion, and your happy flower decoration! Mandalas are thot of as spiritual in some cultures, a good form of meditation, etc, etc. The colors of a mandala work with our psyche to balance our inner self and all that. Hey, us hookers instinctively know these things. lol Hugs, MO
Posted by: Marylin | June 04, 2013 at 12:31 AM
What fun! Plus I bet they are fast to make. Thanks for the recommendation!
Posted by: Taylor | June 03, 2013 at 06:36 PM
Beautiful, as usual. I have never tried the steam trick...I will have to give it a shot!
Posted by: Pam | June 03, 2013 at 02:13 PM
The mandalas are beautiful!!!! Such stunning colors!
Posted by: Emily Clark | June 03, 2013 at 02:49 AM
You have an excellent sense of color.Whatever you make is far better than the original.Thanks for the colorful joy you share with us.
Anna fm greece
Posted by: Anna | June 02, 2013 at 10:21 PM
Your work is amazing. I love your color schemes. I love just looking at your work.
Posted by: Cristina Pisani | June 02, 2013 at 07:55 PM
Love them, wish I wasn't a beginner in crochet. Want to make some now!
Posted by: Georgina Tranter | June 02, 2013 at 07:27 PM
Mandala crochet is color therapy! They are beautiful! Hugs, MO
Posted by: Marylin | June 02, 2013 at 06:11 PM
Beautiful!!!
Posted by: Maria Cristina Grifone | June 02, 2013 at 05:43 PM