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Mandalas to Crochet: 30 Great Patterns
Crocheted mandalas are having a moment! And it's no wonder the lovely mandala is in vogue: one evening is often enough to begin and finish something eye-catching. Many crocheters make mandalas as a meditative activity, while others love them simply for the wonderful opportunities they offer for mixing colors and stitch textures. A new take on traditional shapes, like granny squares or hexagons, these attractive crocheted circles are causing a real buzz in the crochet community.
Included are complete written and charted directions for a variety of types of circular designs, plus a range of creative techniques and ideas to make yours stand out from the crowd. With full patterns and inspiring photos, a review of crochet techniques, a discussion of materials, colors, finishing techniques, and lots of project ideas including bags, shawls, blankets, and pillows, this book guarantees many hours of happy mandala-making.
Included are complete written and charted directions for a variety of types of circular designs, plus a range of creative techniques and ideas to make yours stand out from the crowd. With full patterns and inspiring photos, a review of crochet techniques, a discussion of materials, colors, finishing techniques, and lots of project ideas including bags, shawls, blankets, and pillows, this book guarantees many hours of happy mandala-making.
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2016
8 people are currently reading
779 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 29, 2016
I got this book prior to its release in return for an honest review, but technically I didn't know how to crochet or even how to review this book. A month ago, I didn't know how to crochet. Period. I was all fingers and thumbs, and although I've wanted to learn for years, I couldn't teach myself. Someone had to sit with me, be patient, and teach me the basics without any interruptions ... I might have cornered my mom and aunt into teaching me, but I regret nothing. ^_^ Anywho, so although I knew the basics afterwards, I didn't feel confident enough to try a mandala. So, I left the book with my mom so she could play a bit, while I practiced my trebles and double crochets and scallop borders ...
Yesterday, however, I thought I should try one or two mandalas. I mean, I've figured out my grandmother's pattern for her granny square blankets just by looking at the blanket, so why not? I picked a pattern (I prefer reading off written patterns and studying pictures, the diagrams still vex me), and went with it. This is what I came out with:
A photo posted by Monique Snyman (@therealmoniquesnyman) on Apr 28, 2016 at 1:45am PDT
Now, it should be noted that I am still a beginner in crochet, but what I know is that Hooked on Mandalas by Haafner Linssen is full of great ideas for every level of crocheter. Whether you're a beginner, like me, advanced, like my mom, or just searching for a few nice ideas to play around with and design your own patterns ... Hooked on Mandalas is definitely a must have! There are diagrams, high resolution pictures, and written patterns for each mandala. There are also a few extra patterns where you can work your mandalas together to create a scarf or a blanket or a bag. There are instructions on how stitches are made, how to weave in, how to make certain special stitches, and so on and so forth.
Hooked on Mandalas is pretty much a guide of awesome for crocheters everywhere!
Definitely get your hands on this book if you're into crafts like crochet. These cheerful mandalas will brighten up your mood, the home, and will keep your hands busy from morning to night.
A photo posted by Monique Snyman (@therealmoniquesnyman) on Apr 28, 2016 at 2:19am PDT
September 17, 2019
This book is fantastic. I have always been a proficient knitter, but crochet remained a bit of a mystery to me. I was taught the basic stitches as a child, but never moved on into competence. This book has changed that. I now understand how to keep the number of stitches correct, how to follow a pattern accurately, and so on. My circular creations (mandalas) are looking as good as those in the book. I have embarked on a project to make a bedspread from hexagons (not the same as the one in the book) and this is fascinating. I'm using lots of the patterns and have become good at adapting the patterns and turning circles into hexagons.
The patterns and charts are well-presented and easy to follow, and there is also a wealth of help and information to produce perfect crochet. Highly recommended.
The patterns and charts are well-presented and easy to follow, and there is also a wealth of help and information to produce perfect crochet. Highly recommended.
March 16, 2016
I received this book through Goodreads Giveaways. I can't wait to start on some of the Mandala's in it there are many beautiful patterns. The thing I like the most about the book is that it has both a pattern drawing and the written out pattern instructions so you have a choice of which to use. I can't read pattern drawings yet so I'm hoping that this will help that. If you're looking for something different to crochet definitely check out this book.
February 18, 2022
I picked this book up to just enjoy a quick read but started reading all the introduction and technical information before even looking at the beautiful mandalas. I thought that there wasn't much to getting a good result, but the author's tips are very helpful and I learned somethings that, in my decades of crafting, I'd not heard of before. I only wished for more mandala patterns and definitely more than seven projects. Good, clear photos and color stitch diagrams. Quite an inspiration if you're into crochet.
March 30, 2019
Lots of pretty mandalas to choose from, none that spoke to me this time.
November 15, 2020
Looks so pretty
May 26, 2020
Great selection of mandala's to crochet
December 29, 2016
My search for mandalas lead me to this book. Very good patterns and instructions. I especially interested to learn how to make perfectly round circles when crocheting.
July 1, 2016
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I really like the book. I am looking forward to trying out a bunch of the designs. I'm not a very experienced crocheter, so I'm starting with a relatively plain mandala. I want to practice the deceptively difficult process of making a flat disk before I try the more complicated designs.
The book describes several alternatives for how and where to start each round. I like that the author shows respect for both the simple and the advanced techniques.
Before getting to the patterns, there are photo-illustrated instructions for the techniques used in the book. I do find the format on that a little unclear, since my instinct is to follow the pictures from left to right, but they are arranged in columns. It doesn't break the book, but I have had to do a double-take twice now because of it.
The book encourages the reader to play with the designs and has great illustrations of how changing the arrangement of colors in the mandalas can make them look like completely different patterns.
There are a few projects at the end of the book. I'm not immediately inspired to make any of them, but they do provide inspiration.
If my practice pieces are halfway decent, I'm planning to use them as mug rugs.
I really like the book. I am looking forward to trying out a bunch of the designs. I'm not a very experienced crocheter, so I'm starting with a relatively plain mandala. I want to practice the deceptively difficult process of making a flat disk before I try the more complicated designs.
The book describes several alternatives for how and where to start each round. I like that the author shows respect for both the simple and the advanced techniques.
Before getting to the patterns, there are photo-illustrated instructions for the techniques used in the book. I do find the format on that a little unclear, since my instinct is to follow the pictures from left to right, but they are arranged in columns. It doesn't break the book, but I have had to do a double-take twice now because of it.
The book encourages the reader to play with the designs and has great illustrations of how changing the arrangement of colors in the mandalas can make them look like completely different patterns.
There are a few projects at the end of the book. I'm not immediately inspired to make any of them, but they do provide inspiration.
If my practice pieces are halfway decent, I'm planning to use them as mug rugs.
May 28, 2016
What I expected: gorgeous mandalas, preferably some with the fancy overlay look.
What the book actually is: some pretty designs and some filler.
The prettiest design is one called "vintage vibes" and while not the fanciest design ever, it still definitely met my expectations. If the book were full of designs like that one, it'd be 5 stars.
Unfortunately there's more than a few that are simple flat circles. In skimming, a few times I found myself asking didn't I already see this? While it turned out there were minor stitch differences they still felt repetitive. So too, the designs using very small circles felt unnecessary - the kind of thing anyone who just learned to crochet would do on their own.
Overall: while I do feel like a few patterns were a waste of space that should have been put to better use, this is an okay book. It has both charts and written instructions for every design. They're clear and easy to read. Most should be simple enough for beginners. You wouldn't be ashamed of anything you made out of this book, though more than a few you probably don't even need a pattern for. The more open pieces (vs just flat, round, and striped) are really pretty.
What the book actually is: some pretty designs and some filler.
The prettiest design is one called "vintage vibes" and while not the fanciest design ever, it still definitely met my expectations. If the book were full of designs like that one, it'd be 5 stars.
Unfortunately there's more than a few that are simple flat circles. In skimming, a few times I found myself asking didn't I already see this? While it turned out there were minor stitch differences they still felt repetitive. So too, the designs using very small circles felt unnecessary - the kind of thing anyone who just learned to crochet would do on their own.
Overall: while I do feel like a few patterns were a waste of space that should have been put to better use, this is an okay book. It has both charts and written instructions for every design. They're clear and easy to read. Most should be simple enough for beginners. You wouldn't be ashamed of anything you made out of this book, though more than a few you probably don't even need a pattern for. The more open pieces (vs just flat, round, and striped) are really pretty.
November 17, 2024
Mandalas to Crochet: 30 Great Patterns by Haafner Linssen has become an instant favorite. This one has thirty gorgeous mandala patterns, crisp photos, clear instructions and really is a visual delight.
Designer Haafner Linssen says “In Hinduism and Buddhism, mandalas have a ritual role, representing Buddha or even the universe. The different parts of such a mandala have a symbolic meaning. For instance, the outer circle often symbolizes wisdom in Buddhism”
This book is divided up into three chapters. The first chapter is called “Before You Begin” and talks about yarns, colors, charts and a crochet refresher course. In the second chapter, you have thirty mandala patterns ranging from beginner to advanced. The designs she has come up with are stunning and range from traditional looking mandalas to more chic and modern ones.
The third chapter is called “Projects” and has seven projects you can make such a boho bag, hot pad and even a summer scarf all using mandalas. There are charts to follow with each pattern and the back of the book contains a section of symbols an abbreviations used.
Designer Haafner Linssen says “In Hinduism and Buddhism, mandalas have a ritual role, representing Buddha or even the universe. The different parts of such a mandala have a symbolic meaning. For instance, the outer circle often symbolizes wisdom in Buddhism”
This book is divided up into three chapters. The first chapter is called “Before You Begin” and talks about yarns, colors, charts and a crochet refresher course. In the second chapter, you have thirty mandala patterns ranging from beginner to advanced. The designs she has come up with are stunning and range from traditional looking mandalas to more chic and modern ones.
The third chapter is called “Projects” and has seven projects you can make such a boho bag, hot pad and even a summer scarf all using mandalas. There are charts to follow with each pattern and the back of the book contains a section of symbols an abbreviations used.
August 31, 2016
I am really enjoying this book. I'm a fairly new crocheter and I have found all the patterns so far to be really easy and accessible. I've completed 3 mandalas so far and plan on doing several more. Would love more books from this author.
June 6, 2016
Very easy to follow and gave me new ideas for some other designs! This is a cute book and I love it!
October 10, 2016
Beautiful patterns. The mandalas are great. The patterns include written and chart/symbol instructions. Meditative and decorative!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews