Mahala Mandala crochet square

Hello!

Its me again with free pattern / photo tutorial. 

This time I would like to share with you crochet Mandala that I made last summer but it was put away in one of my many baskets and forgotten((((( . Because I can be very disorganized… not sure if its part of being creative person or is it just one of my character minuses or pluses (depending how you relate to chaos)))) So few months ago while browsing through my stash…ta da I found it!!!

I quickly pulled out Vinnis cottons, made few different color combinations… the flower shape of this motif can create awesome summer shawl, can be used as applique or table runner/coasters… and many other pretty things!

Then I decided that it will look great as a square motif, so I  re designed it and now it can be used in many different strait and square ways – blankets, cushion, vests, tops, bags… you know what I mean;) 

So here it is Mahala Mandala! I love how its sounds and also because in South African slang – mahala – means for free or for nothing and gratis – just like this pattern!

 ~ Mahala Mandala  crochet square ~

You will need

~ DK yarn or any other yarn of your choice (I used Nikkim cotton “Vinnies Colors”) 6 colors of your choice;

~ 4 mm hook;

~ tapestry needle

~ scissor

Abbreviation

This pattern uses American Standard Abbreviations

• ch – chain;
• sc – single crochet;
• hdc – half double crochet;
• dc – double crochet;
• hdcsp – half double crochet spike; see Note.
• st – stitch;
• sl.st. – slp stitch;
• rep – repeat;

Note: 

sc rounds – 1 chains in the beginning of every row counts as a sc. Finish each round with 1 sl. st. in 1st sc from beginning of this round.

hdc and dc rounds – 3 chains in the beginning of every row counts as a dc.  Finish each round with 1 sl. st. in 3rd ch from beginning of this round.

“Spikes” are made by inserting the hook further down into the fabric than usual, either below the next stitch or to one side of it. A loop is draw through and up to the height of the current row; stitch completed normally.

Spikes tip – its important to work “spikes” loops loosely enough to avoid squashing the fabric, but with sufficient tension to maintain the stability of the fabric.

1st round – Color A – into magicloop – 3ch, 11hdc. Total = 12 st.

2 round – color B – 3ch, 1 hdc in same space as 3ch, *2 hdc in to next st. * – repeat *-* 11 times. Finish with sl.st in 3rd ch from beginning of this round. Total = 24 st.

3rd round – color C – 1ch, 1 hdcsp into st of the 1st round, 1 sc into next st,*1sc into next st., 1 hdcsp into st of the 1st round, 1 sc into next st,* – repeat from *-* 11 times. Finish with sl.st into 1st ch from beginning of this round. Total = 36 st.

4th round – color C – 1ch, 1 sc in each st. Finish with sl.st. into 1st ch from beginning of this round.  Total = 36 st.

5th round – color D – 5 ch, dc in same space as your 5 ch, *1ch, miss 2, (1dc, 2ch, 1dc) into next st* – repeat from *-* 11 times.  Finish with 1ch and  sl.st. into 3rd ch from beginning of this round.  

6th round – color E – join yarn in 2 ch space work – (3 ch, 1 dc, 1 hdc, ) 1 ch, *1 sc in 1 ch space, 1 ch, (1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc) in 2 ch space, 1 ch,* repeat from *-* 11 times. Finish round with  1 sc in 1 ch space, 1 ch, (1 hdc, 1 dc) in 2 ch space and sl.st. into 3rd ch from beginning of this round.

~ Making it into a square ~

7th round – color F – join yarn in 2nd dc (middle) of the flower petal from previous round. 1 ch (counts as 1 sc), 3 ch, 1 dc in next sc from round 6, 3 ch, *(1 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc, 3 ch, 1 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc) in 2nd dc from round 6, 3 ch, 1 dc in next sc from round 6, 3 ch, 1 sc in 2nd dc from round 6, 3 ch, 1 dc in next sc from round 6, 3 ch, 1 sc in 2nd dc from round 6, 3 ch, 1 dc in next sc from round 6, 3 ch,* – rep * – * 2 times. Finish with *(1 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc, 3 ch, 1 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc) in 2nd dc from round 6, 3 ch, 1 dc in next sc from round 6, 3 ch, 1 sc in 2nd dc from round 6, 3 ch, 1 dc in next sc from round 6, 3 ch and sl. st into 1st ch from this round.

8th round – using same color F – 4 ch, miss 3, 1 sc into dc, 3 ch, miss 3, *1 sc into next dc, 3 ch, miss 1 ch and 1 dc, ( 1 sc, 3 ch, 1 sc) into next 3 ch space from previous round (corner of your motif), 3 ch, miss 1 ch and 1 dc, 1 sc into dc, 3 ch, miss 3, 1 sc into next dc, 3 ch, miss 3, 1sc into next sc, 3 ch, miss 3, 1 sc into next dc, 3 ch, miss 3, 1 sc into next sc, 3 ch, miss 3, 1 sc into next dc, 3ch, miss 3 * – rep * – * 2 times. Finish with 1 sc into next dc, 3 ch, miss 1ch and 1dc, ( 1 sc, 3 ch, 1 sc) into next 3 ch space from previous round (corner of your motif), 3 ch, miss 1ch and 1dc, 1 sc into dc, 3 ch, miss 3, 1 sc into next dc, 3 ch, miss 3, 1sc into next sc, 3 ch, miss 3, 1 sc into next dc, 3 ch, miss 3, sl. st. into 1sc ch from beginning of this round.

Joining squares as you go with 8th round – replacing every 2nd ch (middle ch of 3 ch group from round  8) with sl. st and sl. st it into 3 ch space of another finished square.

I hope my pattern and drawings are clear and easy to understand:)

And please share with me what you planning to do with Mahala Mandala squares! Would love to see it.

I must say that I’m still not sure what will it be… summer shawl or throw, so I just keep making more and more squares and will decide later;)

Love, 

Yuli xxx