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Wednesday, April 23, 2014

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)

Crochet Mandala by Go Crochet Crazy, to be used as a potholder.


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

Crochet Mandala by Go Crochet Crazy

Crochet Mandala by Go Crochet Crazy

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 

12 comments:

  1. Thanks Mary for the background on Mandalas, there are a lot of Mandalas being made around blogland right now. I have not made one as yet but I can certainly see the attraction and as you say a great way to use up all those small amounts of yarn left over from a bigger project. Yours is very pretty and thank you also for pointing out about taking care with the type of yarn if the intended use is to be near heat.
    Today I am playing with tiny beads! More later I hope :-)

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  2. Hi Mary! Yep, I've made them for potholders and hot pads for the kitchen. I love Sugar n Cream for them. Oh! I also made a coaster (with the same yarn) using your coaster pattern... It came out lovely and your pattern was very well written :) I'd say that also counts as a Mandala?? I love making them because it is definitely a quick, easy, take-along project with plenty of instant gratification lol

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  3. Hi Mary, your mandala came out really pretty and it was really smart that you used your left over yarn to make it and this way the yarn does not go to waste! Have a nice day.
    Julie

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  4. It's lovely Mary, I made my first last weekend, there are so many out there just now you can't help but be inspired, I feel quite a few more coming on, I'm inviting you to link your mandala to the April stash- buster link party. :)
    http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/stash-buster-link-party.html

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  5. Really pretty mandala, a wonderful way to use of oddments of yarn. Have a great week.

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  6. This is such a pretty design and I love the colors! Thanks so much for sharing at the Krafty Inspiration Party...be sure to check out this weeks features? http://kraftycardsetc.com/2014/04/party-features-krafty-inspiration-36.html

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  7. Very pretty and it looks so nice underneath your dish! Thanks for sharing on the Four Seasons Blog Hop

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  8. Love the colours, it looks really pretty.
    :)

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  9. Definitely going to try this! I haven't crocheted in a while and this looks like a great project to get back into the swing of things.

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  10. Thank you for all your comments! Crocheting a mandala was fun, plus they're useful! I have a feeling I'll be making more in the future. :)

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  11. Congratulations! Your post was one of the featured favourites at Link & Share Wednesday on April 30, 2014! http://bit.ly/1it3D7i Thank you for linking up and I apologize in the delay in my notification! Rhondda

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