What is a Mandala? (And a Glimpse of My First Crochet Mandala)

It seems that crochet mandalas are all the rage these days. I have to admit, the mandalas I've seen are beautiful and have definitely piqued my interest. Up until recently, if you'd asked me anything about mandalas, my answer would have been very short.

"Necessity is the mother of invention" they say, and in the case of mandalas, it was also the mother of introduction. I needed an instant gratification crochet project to give me a break from my current blanket project, and my boyfriend M keeps saying that I need to crochet some potholders for our kitchen. Add to that the fact that I've been trying to use up a pretty skein of Bernat Cotton Yarn in Smokey Wine and its sidekick, a Sugar n Cream Cotton in Ecru, from a recent infinity scarf project. Put all these circumstances together, and my first mandala was born.

What Exactly is a Mandala?

"Mandala" is the Sanskrit word for "circle". In the Hindu and Buddhist religions mandalas have great spiritual significance. Spelled M-A-N-D-A-L-A with all A's, most mandalas are made with bright colors and patterns, but always in the shape of a circle. Since this was a scrapbuster project for me, I opted to use this yarn to help me get rid of some of my stash (so I can justify buying more!). Mandalas are used as potholders (as I'll be using mine), coasters, table centerpieces under a vase or fruit bowl, doilies or wall decor. I bet you can think of a few places where a mandala would be useful or pretty in your home.

My First Mandala (a Scrapbuster Project)

And here's my mandala practicing for its first official use as a potholder!

Now that I've designed my first mandala and like how it's turned out, I know I'll go back and make another in bright, happy colors. As soon as I do, I'll update this post with more pictures. Because this one will serve as a potholder, I wanted to use up some of my cotton yarn stash because I knew it could take the heat without melting like an acrylic yarn might.

What do you think? Have you made any mandalas? What do you use your mandalas for? I've embarked on new crochet territory! Isn't it fun to try out new crafty creations?

Today I'm Linking Up With:

Oombawka Design Weekly Link Party
Small Things Yarn Along Wednesday
Crochet Addict UK What Are You Doing Wednesday?
Easy Life Meal and Party Planning Four Seasons Blog Hop
Krafty Inspiration Thursday Link Party 

Yarny Sale News & National Craft Month

March is National Craft Month, and Joann Fabric and Craft Stores are celebrating with some fantastic sales, while Michaels is Thinking Spring! If you're planning any new crochet projects, now is the time to stock up on the yarn you need. Here's are a few yarn goodies I'm highlighting from the selections both stores are offering:

Joann Fabric's "Big on Creativity" Sale, March 2-22

• Redheart Super Saver Yarn, 2 for $5
• Lions Brand Vanna's Choice Yarn, 2 for $5
• Bernat and Purl Essence Yarns, 25% off
• Caron One Pound, Lions Brand Pound of Love and Lions Brand Homespun, $2 off

Michaels' "Think Spring" Sale, Weekly Ad for March 2-8

• Hot Buy Yarn! Lions Brand, $1.99
• Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly, $3.99

And again....drum roll, please.....

• Sugar n Cream, 4 for $5

Get your Michaels' online coupons here and your Joann Fabric coupons here. Since I am not in any way affiliated with either store, I have nothing to gain by sharing this information. I offer it merely as a service to my comrades, armed with crochet hooks and ready to create all sorts of wonderful, yarny delights!

I'm especially excited about Joann's sale on Redheart yarn because I have an upcoming project that's a variation of the Giant Granny Square Afghan I blogged about, and it requires 10 skeins. This weekend, I'll be paying a visit to pick out 10 different scrumptious yarny colors. :)

Tomorrow, I have more exciting news of a crochet and yarny nature. In the meantime, Happy Shopping!!

Favorite Yarn Brands: Are You Loyal or Do You Try Them All?

I'm game for trying anything and, as a crochet rule breaker, I'll try different yarns even if they're not recommended for a particular project.While I'll play around with any type or brand of yarn given to me, I tend to gravitate to a select few when I'm doing my own shopping.

Until very recently, I hadn't spent any time crocheting with cotton yarn, which I talked about in yesterday's post. Now that I have, I've got to say my first love for cotton yarn is Yarnspiration's Sugar n Cream. The color selection in solids, stripes and twists inspires me to create. Soft to the touch but durable, I have many plans for upcoming cotton yarn crochet creations.

 
But, of course, my cotton yarn experience isn't very vast. I've looked at, felt and priced other cotton yarns. And then I always gravitate back to Sugar n Cream.

Over the past years, more acrylic yarn has worked its way through my fingers and off my hook than anything else. Again, I'll try just about any acrylic yarn if it's given to me or I find a great deal...and I mean a great deal. But, given my druthers, I choose Redheart's "With Love"  and Lions Brand. The large, soft skeins make me want to crochet large afghans or chunky scarves. There are more colors than I can choose from, leaving me feel like a kid in a candy shop trying to figure out which treats to choose.

Do you have favorite yarn brands? Tell me what you like for different crochet projects. I'd love to hear from you and possibly be introduced to a new favorite!