I've got the most beautiful flowers on my table at the moment, a spontaneous £3 purchase from the supermarket. After a whole summer crushing on my sweet peas I feel like I'm cheating a bit on my home grown blooms, but I just couldn't make myself walk past these flowers without bringing a bunch home.
They are soooo swoon-worthy that I'm sure I must have little hearts dancing in my eyes every time I look at them. The colours are incredibly vibrant, like a shot of summer brightening up the room - how can they possibly be for real? Totally dreamy.
Despite my fixation with the summer season, it seems I can't get enough of my Yuletide colour palette and I've not been able to leave it alone just yet. I've got bits of a Yuletide Garland in progress, and yesterday I started working on a Yuletide Mandala.
I had the idea to turn the Yuletide stitch pattern from a square into a circle, thinking that it would be a simple thing to grapple with. Ho-ho!! Simple it is not. In fact, it's quite a vexing matter trying to work out flat circle increases while also attempting to throw those spike stitches down into previous rounds.
You can see that I wasn't vexing all alone though, that's good to know isn't it?! I had the Yuletide blanket on the table because I needed to see which order to use the colours for my mandala and Tilly decided that I'd obviously put it there just for her. It was very sweet actually, and I did really enjoy having her quiet moral support.
After much faffing, ripping back, restarting from scratch, ripping back again and so on, I did eventually make some progress with the crochet maths, and managed to pause long enough to scribble down the numbers and make a few pattern notes.
This afternoon I picked up where I left off yesterday, and despite needing to rework a few whole rounds I eventually cracked it. Oh, happy, happy me! It was insanely satisfying to reach the final round, do my sums and realise I had the exact right number of stitches to work one of my favourite scallopy edges...
....look!!!!!!!!! Isn't it a cutie?
I was ridiculously pleased with myself by this point in the proceedings, whizzing along making these sweet little scallops.
Ahh........ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This mandala came out a bit larger than the ones I usually make, it measures 23cm across (the one on my table with the pink scalloped edge measures 17.5cm).
I'm super happy with it, and furthermore I'm delighted to say that I managed to hastily type up the pattern in a word document before I forgot what the bloomin' heck I had done with each round.
Last winter I bought a really lovely enamel jug for my Christmas table (it was from Amazon) and I remember thinking at the time that I would like to crochet a new mandala mat in festive colours to go with it.
My enamel jug is packed away with the Christmas decorations so I haven't been able to see how it looks with the Yuletide mandala just yet, but I do think it's going to work really well.
I'm more than happy to share the pattern for this mandala if you think it's something you'd like to make? Of course you don't have to use festive colours, you can use any scraps left over from crocheting blankets to make whatever flavour of mandala you like. The possibilities for colour play are extremely tempting I have to say, and I'm already thinking that Autumn shades will be next on my hook.
If you're familiar with the Yuletide blanket pattern, then this mandala follows pretty much the same kind of construction. But please do let me know in the comments if you'd like me to work on a full photo tutorial, or whether a written pattern would be enough, and I'll see what I can do.
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Hi Lucy. I too would love the pattern for the Mandala. The colors are fabulous! I wish I could design and do the math,but alas I haven't figured it out. I love to read your blog and enjoy all the wonderful pictures you have posted. Thank you for all your inspiration. Lots of hugs to you and yours.
Bobbie
Posted by: Bobbie French | November 17, 2021 at 06:12 AM
I too, would like the written pattern for the Mandala.
You've done an amazing job in the square blanket tutorial. Think you could refer people to that and to any round tutorial too.
I did the Blooming cushion many years ago as a thank you to the person who bought me a stack of yarn for my birthday one year.
That math can be fun/trial.
Made a round baby blanket a long time ago and as my tension was out, the number of stitches was out too by the time it was wide enough. Bit of work to get the correct number of stitches to start the lovely border after I worked out what the repeat was and how many extra repeats I needed to do. Fun N games. :-)
Posted by: PatriciaA | October 16, 2021 at 04:08 PM
Definitely would like the pattern for the Christmas Mandala. It is gorgeous!! It is just what I need to perk up my holiday displays.
Posted by: Karen M Carvenough | October 10, 2021 at 11:29 PM
I was so hoping for a Yuletide garland!! A few years ago I made an Autumn garland inspired by yours and I hang it on the buffets shelf and in spring have shamrock one. I so love seeing your crochet projects and the walks in the countryside. And I too love mossy rocks, my parents acreage in Oklahoma USA has several large ones, some like giant path stones and others protruding a foot and more out of the ground, very fun to play on as a child. Anyway, my favorite as I got older was a big square one with patches of moss, loved to sit and read there. Looking forward to the rest of your Blogtober posts and the garland and mandala, hopefully with a pattern. Bet a hat would be striking in it! So many projects and so little time. Love your blog, thank you so much for it.
Posted by: Kathy H | October 09, 2021 at 01:08 PM
Yes yes yes. Yearning to travel back to see you again. One day ❤️
Posted by: Karen Devlin | October 08, 2021 at 09:09 PM
It would be great if you could provide a written pattern or tutorial for this mandala. It will make a wonderful Christmas accent!
thank you,
Joann
Posted by: Joann | October 07, 2021 at 06:06 PM
Oh yes please, Lucy!! I would love to make lots of that mandala for presents! Such comfort looking at Tilly on the blanket, enjoying the flowers, imagining myself back home in England. Thank you so much for years of this comfort.
Posted by: Gillian McM | October 07, 2021 at 05:36 PM
Thank you, Lucy, for your attention to detail and many hours of work to bring us joyful designs. A written pattern for the mandala would be most welcome! I'm sure I'm not alone in dreaming of making a few as gifts- and of course one for myself to go with my Yuletide blanket!
Posted by: Mar Alcott | October 07, 2021 at 03:16 AM
Have you published the directions for that mandala with the ruffly pink border? It's the one under your yellow vase. It's so pretty.
Posted by: Kristin Eoff | October 07, 2021 at 03:10 AM
Hi Lucy, A photo tutorial would be so helpful, thank you.
Posted by: Mary Murphy | October 06, 2021 at 10:34 PM
Very cheerful! (It's a shame that Wool Warehouse has been out of stock of Yuletide packs for several weeks though.. :-()
Posted by: Wendy | October 06, 2021 at 01:15 PM
So very pretty and festive. Well done.
Posted by: Diane Smith | October 06, 2021 at 10:08 AM
A written pattern would be lovely, would love to have a go at making the mandala
Posted by: Eileen Burke | October 06, 2021 at 09:48 AM
Gorgeous pattern for the table Mandela - would love one thank you. I can’t pass up gerberas either - one of my favourite flowers!
Posted by: Meredithe | October 06, 2021 at 08:56 AM
I love that pattern, the colours are so warm and squishy. I don’t think you can put that blanket away yet not when the weather’s so horrible you need warm, squishy colours to keep you warm inside and out. Definitely a “yes” to the pattern from me.
Posted by: Gill Wills | October 06, 2021 at 07:50 AM
Yes, please! A picture tutorial is always so very helpful.
Posted by: KC | October 06, 2021 at 06:04 AM
Your mandala is so pretty! The scalloped edge adds such a wonderful touch. Good for you for keeping track of the pattern while you were working on it.
Posted by: Shasta | October 06, 2021 at 02:54 AM
This is so beautiful! I'm half way through my Yuletide blanket and loving it and I'd love the pattern to make Mandela's to match! Thanks Lucy for all the inspiration xx
Posted by: Karen | October 05, 2021 at 11:04 PM
Your mandala is beautiful! I would love to have the pattern, and would probably do one at least for all the seasons!
Posted by: Eleanor MacLean | October 05, 2021 at 10:13 PM
Love it!!!
Posted by: Laura | October 05, 2021 at 09:54 PM
I know it’s a lot of work but I love your tutorials. I’m really a knitter but can’t help having a blanket or two on the hooks, especially during lockdown. Having your colourful photos and lively captions makes me feel as if I’m playing with you.
Posted by: LoriAngela | October 05, 2021 at 09:17 PM
Absolutely love your mandala, I would make one with fall colours first and then with the yuletide leftover yarn. Love reading your blog.
Posted by: Claire | October 05, 2021 at 07:51 PM
i love love love it!!!! I think I will try some variant of Autumn shades.... Hoping you'll be inspired to post the pattern!! Thanks for your amazing creativity and generosità.
Posted by: Manuela Molteni | October 05, 2021 at 07:39 PM
Wow Lucy, you are so clever! I'd love to have the pattern. I much prefer the round version - no idea why! 🙂
Posted by: Wendy Bassett | October 05, 2021 at 07:06 PM
It's beautiful Lucy! I'm thankful for those who can do the math and make it work! Please, would you consider a picture tutorial along with the instructions. Some of us are just learning and your pictures make all the difference in the world. I love when you use the needle to show where to put the hook. Thanks for all of your inspiration!
Posted by: Julie Mutchler | October 05, 2021 at 05:47 PM