Waiting for Snow... Wintery Octagon Mandala - new pattern release

Don’t you think time is cruel? I seriously think so… It’s running (flying?) so fast that I can hardly keep up. Last year we celebrated Christmas with my friends. It was snowing and the weather and atmosphere was magic. And I am still warming these memories in my heart. But what? Christmas is coming again? Really? I am absolutely NOT ready! :) I haven’t even released any Christmas themed pattern so far. And I think I need to fix this. Today. 

Spirits of Life CAL is taking all my time and thoughts at the moment. But that’s not the reason not to design anything else, what do you think? Today I would like to show you a Wintery Octagon Mandala (yay, I have designed a new mandala!). This design was hiding in my desk for several months already. And I think now is the right time to bring it to the world.

Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue

The pattern is available on Etsy and Ravelry with 30% discount through Monday, November 13th. The pattern is discounted already and no coupon code needed. Next week it will be listed at a regular price.

As you can see, it’s not a traditional circle mandala but an octagon. I wanted it to look festive and wintery, and tried to imitate a snowflake pattern. Octagon shape is great for blankets, and it’s easy to square up.

I made several samples in different color palettes, but some patterns are just born to be monochrome, with just two shades. And this is an example of Wintery Octagon Mandala. A good thing is that there are no yarn tails to weave, as both yarns are carried on the wrong side from one row to the next. By switching placement of two yarns you can get a different visual effect.

 
…Or you can make it in just one shade. I chose off-white. With hope that it will be snowing soon.

I chose a linen stitch background (and I am officially in love with Linen stitch now) – same as for A Different Granny Square pattern. It helped to make crochet fabric very soft and draping. And at the same time added an “embroidery effect” to the background which gives a nice contrast to overlay stitches. I am very biased and I LOVE this pattern. And I am in love with each and every mandala created by my wonderful and helping testers.

What Wintery Octagon Mandala can be used for?

Wintery Octagon Mandala can be used in many different ways.

1. You can make just one mandala and use it as a doily/trivet or sew it onto ready fabric pillowcase.

2. Mandala’s center will become a wonderful potholder. You can even make two and sew them together for additional thickness and reverse look. The sample in the picture was made with three shades of Soft Fun yarn by Scheepjes*.

3. You can add four corners to a mandala and it will become a square. A nice afghan block, or front decoration for your new pillow, maybe?

4. If you complete only 8 first rounds, you will get a small star decoration. Great as Christmas hanging ornament, or bunting. Or even a festive table runner if you join small motifs together. I made mine with cotton yarn Catona*.

5. And of course, Wintery Octagon Mandala can be used for large, textured blankets!! I have created a mini blanket with Colour Crafter yarn* by Scheepjes to show you how several octagons look together when joined. You may notice that octagons have a reverse colorway. It was also made on purpose to show you how different colors can play within the same pattern.

 

What does the pattern include:

• Instructions for an octagon (with 2 shades)
• Instructions for joining motifs (if you would like to make a blanket): square, side triangle, corner triangle.
• Instructions on how to assembly the blanket and make the border.

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Brief facts about Wintery Octagon Mandala Pattern:

• Level: Intermediate (front post stitches)
• Just two shades are used for this mandala, so no need to weave in tails.
• Octagon Mandala can be used in a variety of ways: as a doily/trivet, pillow, potholder, hanging ornament, blanket.
• The pattern is available on Etsy and Ravelry with 30% discount through Monday, November 13th. The pattern is discounted already and no coupon code needed. Next week it will be listed at a regular price.

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