Mandala Monday

Blocked Free to Be Mandala
I'd finished crocheting a couple of snowflake rocks aboard the commuter train when I started what I thought would be a red, white and blue snowflake. It turned into a mandala instead, and I really like it!

You may do whatever you'd like with mandalas you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Unblocked Free to Be Mandala
Finished Size: 4 inches across
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in three colors, size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Here are the colors I used for the patriotic version:

Color A: blue
Color B: red
Main Color: white

Free to Be Mandala Instructions

With Color A, make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: With Main Color, 2 sc in each dc around for a total of 24 sc; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 3: With Color B, 1 dc in each sc around; sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 4: With Main Color, 2 sc in each dc around for a total of 48 dc; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 5: With Color A, * 1 dc in any sc (or next sc on repeats), ch 2, sk next sc; repeat from * around 23 times for a total of 24 dc; slip st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 6: With Main Color, 2 sc in each ch 2 sp around for a total of 48 sc; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
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Round 7: With Color B, * 1 dc over Round 6 sc into top of any Color A dc (or next Color A dc on repeats), ch 3; repeat from * around 23 times for a total of 24 dc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 8: With Main Color, 3 sc in each ch 3 sp around for a total of 72 sc; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 9: With Color A, * 5 dc over Round 8 sc into any Color B dc (or next Color B dc on repeats), remove hook from loop and insert in 1st dc of 5/dc group, insert hook back through loop of 5th dc and pull through 1st dc (popcorn stitch made), 1 dc in each of the next 6 sc; repeat from * around 11 times; st st in top of starting popcorn st; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 10: With Main Color, 1 sc in each dc and popcorn stitch around; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 11: With Color B, * 5 dc over Round 10 sc into top of any Color A popcorn (or next Color A popcorn on repeats), remove hook from loop and insert in 1st dc of 5/dc group, insert hook back through loop of 5th dc and pull through 1st dc (popcorn stitch made), 1 dc in same sc, 1 dc in each of the next 7 sc; repeat from * around 11 times; st st in top of starting popcorn st; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 12: With Main Color, * 1 sc in 2nd dc immediately left of any popcorn st, 1 sc in each of next 2 dc, in next dc work 1 hdc, 1 sc and 1 hdc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, sk next 2 dc; 1 sc in next sc; repeat from * around 11 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: To stiffen or shape mandala without stiffening, tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin mandala to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

To shape mandala without stiffening, spray lightly with water and allow to dry thoroughly.

To stiffen mandala, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint mandala with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow mandala to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel mandala from wax paper or plastic wrap.

To hang mandala, attach 10-inch clear thread loop to one point, weaving in ends. Use loop to hang. Note that extended exposure to direct sunlight will fade thread colors.

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