Crochet Viola Mandala

Namaste friends,

Hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. 😀

In this post, I have a wonderful mandala to share with you.

I found the free pattern for the Viola mandala a few months back but I did not make one, as my folks are not exactly the "Doily-kind" if you know what I mean. 😉😉

And then guess what! One of my regular customers wanted me to make one for her in the colours of her choice. I was overjoyed.

So here is the Viola Mandala Ta-dah!

The Viola mandala pattern is Free on the maritparit blog.

She has made the mandala in a beautiful pastel blue and violet combination.

For my mandala, I have used Laura knitting cotton which is widely available in India, with a 3.5 mm crochet hook.

Anchor knitting cotton would be a great choice too for this mandala.

The colours were specially requested by my customer. 

I modified the last round to add some scallops. 

Isn't it a gorgeous mandala pattern? I just love the final look.

This mandala has flown across continents to its new home.

I think I'll make one more in a different colour scheme for myself. :)

I am sure you will want to make one for yourself. Do give it a try.

* This post contains affiliate links which if you use for any purchase, may yield me a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you. *

Thank you for your time.

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop and also to contact me for private crochet coaching sessions from anywhere in the world! 😀

See you soon with a new free cowl pattern.

Crochet Avnaas Pineapple Pouch/Sachet Pattern

Namaste friends,

Hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe.

In this post, I am sharing my notes for a pineapple pouch pattern.

Many years ago I made a pouch from a pic I saw on the net. When a lot of crocheters liked it and asked for the chart I would send them the link, but many of them wanted a written pattern.

So here I am sharing my notes for the pineapple pouch. I hope you find it useful.

* This post contains affiliate links which if you use for any purchase, may yield me a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

Uses for the pouch/sachet: For storing -

1. Prayer beads

2. Earphones/Earbuds

3. Powder compact

4. Lipsticks

5. Mukhwas

6. Candy

7. Pendrives

8. Keys

9. Menstrual cups

10. Soap saver

11. Potpourri...     and whatever else you can think of :)

So here goes the Avnaas pineapple pouch pattern.

Skill Level:  Easy.

Size: Will depend on the material you use. 

          This one measures 4.25" wide and 6.5" long approx. 

Materials:

• Cotton yarn

• Hook – 2 mm, UK 14, Japan 2

• Scissors

• Yarn needle

• Cord lock

Notes:

This pattern uses US terminology.

The pouch is worked in the round without turning. It is worked in two parts.                         

The pineapple part is made first then the yarn is attached to the base of the pineapple and the closure is worked in the opposite direction.

Abbreviations:

beg – beginning,

ch - chain,

st – stitch,

sp – space,

sl st – slip stitch,

dc – double crochet,

hdc - half double crochet

yo – yarn over hook

cl - cluster

beg cl - beginning cluster

3dc cl - 3 double crochet cluster

Pattern Stitches:

Beg cl:  Ch 2, dc2tog into same st as sl st counts as 1^st cluster or Beg cl. Rounds 3 to 17 start with a Beg Cl.

3dc cl:  - Into the space indicated, yo, insert hook in sp, yo, pull through st, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, (yo, insert hook in same sp, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook) twice, yo, pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Instructions:

Round 1: Ch 58, join with sl st in 1st ch.

Round 2: Ch 4, sk 1, *dc in next st, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, in next st work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), ch 3, sk 3, dc2tog in next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st, ch 2, sk 2, **, dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1, rep from * to **, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch 4.

Round 3: Sl st into ch-1 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk dc, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next st, dc2tog in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk cl, 9 dc in ch-3 sp, sk cl, ch 3, sk 3, dc2tog in next 2 sts, dc in next st, ch 3, sk 3, sk dc, in next ch-1 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk dc, ch 2, sk 2, sk dc, **, in ch-1 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Round 4: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 2, sk 3, [dc in next st, ch 1] 8 times, dc in next st, ch 2, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work ( (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), ch 2, sk cl, sk 2, sk cl, **, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.  

Round 5: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 2, sk dc,  [sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3] 8 times, sk dc, sk 2, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk cl, ch 2, sk 2, sk cl, ** in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl. 

Round 6: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk sc,  [sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3] 7 times, sk sc, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk cl, ch 2, sk 2, sk cl, ** in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Round 7: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk sc,  [sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3] 6 times, sk sc, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk cl, ch 2, sk 2, sk cl, ** in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Round 8: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk sc,  [sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3] 5 times, sk sc, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk cl, ch 2, sk 2, sk cl, ** in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Round 9: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk sc,  [sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3] 4 times, sk sc, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk cl, ch 2, ** sk 2, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Round 10: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl,  ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk sc,  [sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3] 3 times, sk sc, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk cl, ch 2, sk 2, sk cl, ** in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Round 11: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk sc,  [sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3] 2 times, sk sc, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk cl, ch 2, sk 2, sk cl, ** in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Round 12: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk sc, hdc in ch-3 sp, sk sc, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk cl, ch 2, sk 2, sk cl, ** in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Round 13: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 3, hdc in next st, ch 1, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk cl, ch 2, sk 2, sk cl, ** in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Round 14: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl, ch 3, sk 3, dc in next 2 sts, sk 1, sk hdc, sk 1, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk cl, ch 2, sk 2, sk cl, ** in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Round 15: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl, ch 2, sk 3, dc4 tog in next 4 sts, ch 2, sk 3, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk cl, ch 2, sk 2, sk cl, ** in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Round 16: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work (beg cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), * sk cl, sk 2, sk dc4 tog,   sk 2, sk cl, in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), sk cl, ch 2, sk 2, sk cl, ** in next ch-3 sp work (3dc cl, ch 3, 3dc cl), rep from * to **, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Round 17: Sl st into ch-3 sp, in same sp work beg cl, [3dc cl in next ch-3 sp] 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg cl. Fasten off. Cut thread and weave the end in.

The pineapple portion of the pouch is now done.

Now let's crochet the opening at the top of the pouch.

Round 1: Attach your thread with an sc to any ch at the side of the pouch, * ch 5, sk 3, sc in next st, rep from * around, for the last loop work ch 2 sk 3, dc in beg sc. (14 ch-5 loops)   Do not worry if you have more loops or fewer loops, that's okay.

Round 2: *Ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp, rep from * around ending with ch 2 and dc in the dc below.

Rounds 3 to 5: Rep Round 2. 

To finish you can add a round of sc or your favourite border. I add scallops or picots whatever I'm drawn to at that time. :)

Drawstring: You can use a satin ribbon in a matching or contrasting colour. I crocheted a length of chains then made an sc in the 2nd ch and then in every st till the end. Weave your drawstring through the loops of Round 3 or 4.

For the orange pouch I used a cord lock like this one.

I hope you will try this pattern. If you have any questions/comments or suggestions do write to me.

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop.

Thank you for your time. Have a lovely day and stay safe.

Mandala mania 4 - Pretty Pastels + Giveaway winner

Namaste friends. It is crochet month so a mandala post is a must, right?

But before that let me announce the winner of the pattern giveaway for the Cupid's Dilemma cowl. 

And the winner is:

Susan Guard

Happy crocheting Susan. Your pattern is on the way to your Inbox. :)

This pattern is available in my Etsy and Craftsy shops.

And now on to my Spring inspired Pretty Pastel Mandala.

This is the fourth mandala I made using the same pattern. This mandala is a wee bit larger than the previous three mandalas as I modified Round no. 11 (in yellow), and made 3dc clusters instead of puff stitches.

Here are the details of the mandala;

Pattern source:   Crochet Millan.com

Yarn:                   Laura Knitting cotton

Hook:                  3.50 mm

Size:                   16 inches diameter

Here is a look at all four mandalas:

Check out mandala 1, mandala 2 and mandala 3.

Crocheting mandalas is very satisfying and almost meditative. Do give it a try.

Keep Calm and Crochet On.

Mandala mania 3 - Variegated violets

(This post contains affiliate links)*

Namaste friends, are you a television buff? I am a big fan of TV but I wouldn't call myself an addict as I can switch it off at will and also survive for days without it if required. But I am partial to English programs whether it is serials, documentaries, cookery or science shows. TLC and Nat Geo are my favourite channels. As far as Indian television is concerned I prefer Marathi channels for their superior content, and wide variety of topics. Hindi programs with their melodrama, unrealistic stories and slapstick comedy are too jarring for the senses.

Wondering where I am going with all this. I have no idea... LOL

Okay, as a teen I was a huge fan of Three's Company, an American sitcom about three roommates. I liked everything about it, the cast, the theme song, the stories. And that is exactly the phrase that came to my mind when I thought my two mandalas needed one more companion. After all "Three's Company, too"...right? Haha

Yeah, I know I can be bonkers sometimes :) :)

Next question - Have you ever purchased variegated yarn because it looked gorgeous and then wondered what to do with it? It happens to me all the time! But the allure of variegated yarn cannot be avoided.

For my latest mandala, I decided to use a variegated violet cotton yarn languishing in my stash. Here is the result:

Those petals look so cute. Using variegated yarn for the whole mandala or doily would be pointless as the intricacies of the design would be lost.

This pattern is simply gorgeous and I urge you to try it. Check out the details in this POST.

Some more pics (with no jibber jabber from me)!  😊

All pics were taken with my Lenovo A7000* phone camera. One of these days I must get down from my ivory tower and get my camera repaired!!! Pity the repair centre is miles away 😩

Which camera do you use for your blog photography?

See you soon. Happy Crafting

Mandala mania 2 - Aqua n orange

Namaste friends, did you like the mandala in the last post? I loved it so much, I thought One good mandala deserves another, isn't that right?

So I went on to make another one. I decided to use totally different colours, absolutely different from the previous colour choice.

Here goes Aqua n Orange:

Isn't it gorgeous!! Even if I say so myself ;)

While I'm loving the mandala as a whole after completion I had doubts about the "sunflower" in the center. What do you think, does it go with the colour scheme?

I like the way the white stands out and makes the other colours pop.

Just changing the colours produced such a dramatic effect. It looks like a totally different pattern! Only on close inspection do you realise that it is the same pattern.

All materials are same as the last mandala and you can check out the details HERE.

Okay, only two more pics :)

Can you tell I am in love with it!! 

I can't wait to see what you'll have been up to. So I will be blog surfing for the next few hours.

See you later, crocheter :)

Mandala mania 1 - Peachy brown

(This post contains affiliate links)*

Namaste friends, How has the new year been unfolding so far? I hope you are enjoying it.

Time to start talking crochet in the new year. I came across a lovely mandala pattern and felt I just had to make one. Crochet mandalas are beautiful, useful, provide instant gratification as well as room to play with colours.

The mandala in the original pattern uses pink, mauve, violet and lavender. I decided to go for a peach and brown combination and I love the way it has turned out. The red adds a pop of colour, while the beige highlights the darker colours.

Isn't it gorgeous!! I am loving it. :) 

I adore mandalas for their beautility... no don't hunt your dictionary, I just invented that word. :) It is a combination of beauty and utility!! 

And now before you get ready to grab my neck and shake me :) here is the link to the Pattern at crochetmillan.com.

The website has many beautiful patterns and I will be going back for more.

Materials

Yarn:   Laura knitting cotton

Hook: 3.50 mm*

Dia:    15 inches

This yarn* will give you similar results plus it comes in a range of vibrant colours.

And yes, I have omitted the last two rounds which form the edging of the mandala as I found it a bit lacy for the "solid" body of the mandala. So I just went for a round of scs with picots.

What would be your colour choices for this mandala? 

Happy crafting!

Crochet Honeycomb Washcloth

Last project of 2015

Namaste friends. The year 2015 is coming to an end. And like any other year it came with its ups and downs. The downs this year were pretty drastic, like losing a favourite aunt to cancer, and being hospitalised, alongwith hubby, due to a horrible bout of dengue fever. On the other hand the ups were quite good with the year beginning with moving in and decorating our new home, my very first trip overseas (phoren tour!), and sonny boy passing his IELTS test with a great score. Overall, a year I am not sad to see it go. And I am hoping 2016 is going to be a fantastic year where I am more successful working on my goals for my blog, my Etsy shop and my weight loss! :)

Now for the last project of 2015 - a crochet honeycomb washcloth. With winter setting in and the dry climate of Ahmedabad, it was time to get the shower cremes out. But shower cremes work best with washcloths or poufs. Did not want to use a plastic pouf therefore the cotton wash cloth :)

I wanted to try out this honeycomb pattern and the 3D texture seemed ideal for a wash cloth. I assumed it would provide the light exfoliation needed without being too rough or plasticky. I used thick knitting cotton yarn and a 4mm crochet hook.

Here's a look at the texture:

After working the square in the honeycomb pattern I worked a row of DCs around it. Adding 3 DCs in each corner gave it a nice, neat rounded finish.

A loop to hang it up to dry after use.

Sometimes textured stitches produce a really uneven surface on the wrong side but this stitch gives a neat, smooth look on the back.

Let me know in the comments, if you would like a pattern for this wash cloth. I am working my rough notes into a written pattern. This stitch would also work wonderfully for a clutch or cowl. I wouldn't recommend this stitch for a hotpad or coaster as the texture might cause the mug/bowl to tumble.

Well, that's it for the last project for 2015.  

Wishing you a very Happy New Year. I hope 2016 is a fantastic year for all of us and that success crowns all our endeavours and that we are able to achieve our goals - personal, professional or crafty. :) See you next year. 

I got Twins!!!

A girl AND a boy!  Okay,okay...not the baby kind (sadly), but the crochet kind (YAY!!), which is almost the same. Don't you agree? Well, I just love my crochet babies. And there is pink and blue.....so...

Made these two cute mandalas using some nice cool and pastel colours. These twin mandalas are "same but different" because I have used the same six colours and the same pattern for both. Just altering the colour sequence produces a different effect so that each one now has a different personality.

Check it out;

They are so pretty and cute. 

You can get the pattern here.

Once again, I have used Laura knitting cotton and a 3.50mm hook.

You can get these mandalas in my shop.

Tomorrow my bloggy friend Aishwarya is coming over with her daughter, to spend the night. Looking forward to lots of crafty chatting. See you soon with my next project.

Crochet Mandala - Rising Sun

Hello friends, I am back with another mandala today. Yesterday I showed you the Rainbow mandala, today I have a sunny mandala to share. So let us have a look at it first:

If you have been following my blog and you think this mandala looks familiar, then you are right. I have made this mandala earlier in "cool" colours.

This time I thought I will go for warm colours. Happy colours that will remind me of the rising sun you know, red, yellow, orange and green.

After the mandala was done I was not so sure about the colour palette and felt it looked "weird". What do you think? Does it look like an explosion of too many bright colours in one place?

But regardless of the colours, I love this pattern.

Especially the row which has two colours worked into it.

So that is my Rising Sun mandala. 

 

If you would like to have a go at it, the pattern details can be found in my original Vibrant mandala post. It is definitely worth a try as it is a very happy design. I made the first mandala as part of a crochet-a-long and as you can see there were some really funky colour combinations. So go ahead and make it in your own favorite colours!

A few more pics before I sign off.

My serene Buddha always having to "model" my creations!!   :)

Once again I have used Laura knitting cotton and a 3.5mm hook. I hope you will try this pattern. And if you do make your own mandala, feel free to share your pictures on my Facebook page. I hope you are already a fan of my Facebook Crochetkari page, if not then don't forget to "Like" my page as I always reveal my latest projects there first, before I find time to blog about them. I find it a fast way to share my creations and then I add all the project details and pattern links in my blog post. If you have any questions about this pattern or crochet in general, write to me at crochetkari@gmail.com

You can get this finished mandala in my shop.

So until the next time, Happy Crafting and have a great week ahead.