One of the most common questions I am asked as a designer is where my inspiration comes from. Such a general and easy question, right? But the truth is that I don’t know the answer, as my inspiration comes randomly and from hundreds of different sources. It can be nature, architecture, movies… But it can also be a random light shadow on the ground on a sunny day. Of course, I browse Pinterest on a regular basis (and who doesn’t?). But sometimes my inspiration comes from what you, my loving and supporting audience, ask me to create.
Many of you used thicker yarn to make the mandala bigger. It was turned into doilies, trivets and even bags! But still the size was too small to use it differently than just a coaster.
Since the release of the Gift Coaster, I have received a lot of messages with the requests for a bigger mandala with the same stitch pattern which could accompany the coaster. For example, in a size of a placement, or similar.
Usually, I do not design upon the requests, because it goes against the natural flow of inspiration and places additional pressure which is no good for a free expression of creativity. But this time the request from you, my lovely audience, resonated with what I wanted to make myself. And today I am happy to introduce Tulip Mandala!
The pattern is available on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
It uses short rows technique with just common crochet stitches (mostly single crochet worked into back loops). The pattern comes in English language (US terms) with photo and video tutorials, so I am safe to say that you will be not lost.
I made several samples to show you the potential of this crochet pattern.
The first one is a single-colored mandala with the same Scheepjes Catona yarn I used for the Gift Coaster (in case you would like to make a companion to your smaller coasters). In the picture below, you can see the difference in sizes, which are quite balanced, I think.
For another sample, I picked thicker yarn to achieve the bigger size. I chose Scheepjes Stonewashed XL yarn from the newest Minerals series, as variegated yarn looks fantastic with short rows. The mandala turned out huge! It measures approximately 70cm across.
I crocheted another side with Scheepjes Truly Scrumptious, also aran weight, and joined two mandalas together for a round pillow.
I had a hard time finding the right amount of filling, and used three pillow foams and two towels 😊 I believe if it is stuffed firmly, it will make a nice floor pillow.
However, if you are not up for the floor pillows, you can use regular Stonewashed yarn (in Sport weight, which also comes in Minerals range), and your mandala will be significantly smaller. Approximately 52cm across.
Loele, who helped me with the testing of the Tulip Mandala pattern, coincidently picked the same color of the Stone Washed yarn, and what a lovely pillow she made.
And my third sample was made with leftovers of Scheepjes Softfun in 4 ombre pink colors. I guess, this is my favourite version. Love how the colors play together.
There was no exact plan for how to place the colors, I just changed them randomly after completing small parts of the mandala.
I figured it looked the best when one or two petals are worked with the same color, and then a new color is used for the next petal.
You can find yarn amounts for all samples in the pattern. The yarn is available in local Scheepjes stores, or via online retailers: Carosatelier* (Netherlands and EU), Woolwarehouse* (UK, international shipping), Taemombo (US and Canada). If you have no luck finding yarn in your area, try to look at the Scheepjes Amazon Store* (affiliate link).
And just to remind, you can find Tulip Mandala on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
Hope you enjoy,
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