Crochet Mandala Decoration

I love to make a crochet mandala decoration to hang in my home. They are reminiscent of crochet doilies that were very popular decorations about 100 years ago. These “modernized doilies” look great stretched across a metal ring with some pretty ribbons hanging down. I love how the stretching really helps the pattern of the stitches stand out and the lacy details shine!

The Marvelous Mandala is Crocheted with a Variety of Stitches

I am calling this crochet mandala decoration the “Marvelous Mandala” – it works up relatively quickly and has a great rhythm to it as you get the hang of the stitches. There are several different stitches used in this project. You’ll need to know some basics (slip stitch, double crochet and treble crochet) but then you’ll also need to know how to turn these stitches into cluster stitches. Don’t worry – I explain each of the cluster stitches below. And if you would like extra photos for each cluster stitch, you can purchase the pattern PDF in my Etsy Shop here.

Cluster Stitches are a Great Crochet Technique

Cluster stitches are a great tool to use when recreating natural shapes in your crochet projects. Cluster stitches are created by making several partial stitches and then joining them into one at the last step (or yarn over) of the cluster. This crochet mandala decoration features some leaf shapes that have pointed ends. By using the cluster stitches you can create these pointed ends very easily. If you’ve ever crocheted flowers and leaves, you have probably crocheted many cluster stitches to get the unique leaf and flower petal shapes. For your first time working with cluster stitches I recommend going slowly and carefully examining the instructions being mindful of all punctuation and repeats.

Variations of this Marvelous Mandala

The instructions for this crochet mandala decoration include all the colors I used and when/where to change each color. But you can make this mandala project with just one color to achieve a different look. You can also add the ribbon and yarn fringe as full or as ‘lean’ as you like – or you can leave it off altogether! I think adding some feathers, beads and tassels would also be pretty in amongst the ribbon lengths. I also give you a place where you can stop the project ‘early’ and have a smaller mandala decoration that works up even quicker.

So, let’s get started!

Skill Level: Intermediate

Measurements:

19” (48.26 cm) across

Ribbon/Fringe length: 19” (48.26 cm)

Pattern PDF of the Crochet Mandala Decoration Available!

You can now purchase a PDF of this crochet mandala decoration here– PDF includes more photos including close-up and in-progress photos of each cluster stitch. Thank you for your support!

Supplies:

Click on the supply name to purchase

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Size 3 yarn (DK weight)

(I used Omega’s Sinfonia in 4 colors but you can use just one color – if you decide to just use one color, you would need about 180 yds total)

C 1 = 843 (Copper); C2 = 887 (Charcoal Gray) ; C3 = 801 (White); C4 = 813 (Denim Blue)

F (3.75mm) crochet

19” (48.26 cm) diameter metal ring (4mm thick)

Clover Wonder Clips (16)

Scissors

Variety of ribbons of various widths – Total yardage – approximately 20 yds (18.2 m)

(I used 4 different kinds of ribbon approximately 15 feet (4.5 m) each)

Jumbo Tapestry Needle

(For my smaller mandala project I used a Size 3 cotton crochet thread, 3.75 mm hook and a 12″ diameter metal ring)

Gauge:

Rounds 1-3 = 3 ½” (8.89 cm)across

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Special Stitches and Abbreviations:

(Remember, if you would like to see more photos regarding the cluster stitches, then purchase the pattern PDF here)

Beg. 3dc CL (Beginning 3 double crochet Cluster) = Ch 2, (YO, insert hk into sp, YO, draw up a lp, YO, pull through 2 lps on hk) 2 times; YO, pull through all 3 lps on hk

3dc CL (3 double crochet Cluster) = (YO, insert hk into sp, YO, draw up a lp, YO, pull through 2 lps on hk) 3 times; YO, pull through all 4 lps on hk

Join with sc = Put slip knot of new color on hk; insert hk into st, YO, draw up a lp, YO, pull through 2 lps on hk

Click here to watch a short tutorial on this technique

V-st (V-stitch) = (dc, ch 3, dc) all in sp indicated

Beg. 4tr CL (Beginning 4 treble crochet Cluster) = Ch 3, [YO twice, insert hk into next st, YO, draw up a lp, (YO, pull through 2 lps on hk) twice] 3 times; YO, pull through all 4 lps on hk

4tr CL (4 treble crochet Cluster) = [YO twice, insert hk into next st, YO, draw up a lp, (YO, pull through 2 lps on hk) twice] 4 times; YO, pull through all 5 lps on hk

Sl st (slip stitch) =Insert hook into stitch, YO, pull through stitch and loop on hook

Sc (single crochet) = Insert hook into stitch, YO, draw up a loop; YO, pull through 2 loops on hook

Dc (double crochet) = YO, insert hook into stitch, YO, draw up a loop, (YO, pull through 2 loops on hook) twice

Tr (treble crochet) = YO twice, insert hk into st, YO, draw up a lp, (YO, pull through 2 lps on hk) 3 times

YO (yarn over)

Hk (hook)

Lp (loop)

Ch (chain)

St (stitch)

Sp (space)

Notes:

Mandala is worked in the round from the center out

Test your gauge to see how your mandala fits inside the metal ring

If you would like to make your mandala all one color it would be easiest to fasten off and join as the instructions explain but use the same color throughout

Instructions for the Crochet Mandala Decoration:

(All Special Stitches are in bold and italicized text and defined above)

With C1 ch 8; join with sl st to form ring

Round 1: 

Beg. 3dc CL in ring, ch 3;  (3dc CL, ch 3)7 more times in ring; join with sl st to top of 1^st cluster. Fasten off. (8 clusters)

Round 2: 

Join C2 with sl st in any ch-3 sp; (ch 5, sl st in top of next cluster, ch 5, sl st in next ch-3 sp) around ending with ch 2, dc in joining sl st (that counts as last ch-5 sp). (16 ch-5 sps)

Round 3: 

Beg. 3dc CL in current ch-5 sp, ch 3; (3dc CL, ch 3) in each ch-5 sp around; join with sl st to top of 1^st cluster. Fasten off. (16 clusters)

Round 4:   

Join C3 with sc in any ch-3 sp; (ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp) around ending with ch 2, dc in joining sc (for last ch-5 sp). (16 ch-5 sps)

Round 5: 

(Ch 6, dc) in same sp (counts as first V-st); (ch 4, sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 4, V-st in next ch-5 sp) around;  ch 4, sc in last ch-5 sp, ch 4, sl st to 3^rd ch of starting ch-6. Fasten off. (8 V-sts; 16 ch-4 sps)

Round 6:

Join C4 with sl st in ch-3 sp of any V-st, (ch 4 (counts as tr), 3 tr, ch 2, 4 tr) all in same sp; [ch 3, tr in next sc, ch 3; (4 tr, ch 2, 4 tr) in next V-st] around ending with ch-3, tr in next sc, ch 3, sl st to 4^th ch of starting ch-4. (16 4-tr groups)

Round 7: 

Beg. 4 tr CL across next 4 trs; ch 4, 4 tr in next ch-2 sp, ch 4, 4 tr CL across next 4 trs; [ch 4, sc in next tr, ch 4, 4 tr CL across next 4 trs, ch 4, 4 tr in next ch-2 sp, ch 4, 4 tr CL across next 4 trs] around ending with ch 4, sc in next tr, ch 4, sl st to top of 1^st cluster. (16 4- tr clusters and 8 4-tr groups)

Round 8: 

Sl st into next ch-4 sp; ch 1, sc in same sp; [ch 6, 4 tr CL across next 4 trs, ch 6, sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 5, tr in next sc, ch 5, sk next ch-4 sp, sc in next ch-4 sp] around ending with sl st in 1^st sc. Fasten off. (8 – 4tr clusters)

Round 9: 

Join C1 with sc in any ch-6 sp to the right of any 4tr cluster; (ch 6, sc in next sp, ch 6, V-st in next tr, ch 6, sk next ch-5 sp, sc in next sp) around ending with sl st in 1^st sc.

**If you would like to make a smaller mandala, then you can stop here and attach to ring following instructions below.  You could also work Rounds 14 & 15 here and then fasten off. (For beg. of Rounds 14 & 15 do this:  ch 1, sl st in next 3 chs; then follow the pattern as written below for those rounds)**

Round 10: 

Sl st in each of next 3 chs; ch 1, sc in same sp; (ch 6, sc in next ch-sp, ch 4, [4 tr, ch 2, 4 tr] in ch-3 sp of next V-st; ch 4, sc in next ch-sp, ch 6, sc in next sp) around ending with sl st in 1^st sc. (16 – 4trs groups)

Round 11:

Ch 1, sc in same st: (Ch 5, tr in next sc, ch 4, 4tr CL across next 4 trs, ch 4, 4 tr in next ch-2 sp; ch 4, 4tr CL across next 4 trs, ch 4, tr in next sc, ch 5, sc in next sc) around ending with sl st in 1^st sc. (16 – 4tr clusters, 8 – 4tr groups)

Round 12: 

Sl st in each of next 3 chs; (ch 5, sc in next sp, ch 5, sc in next sp, ch 6, 4tr CL across next 4 trs, ch 6, sc in next sp, ch 5, sc in next sp, ch 5, sc in next sp, ch 5, sc in next sp) around ending with sl st in base of 1^st ch-5. Fasten off. (16- 4tr clusters)

Round 13: 

Join C2 with sc in top of any 4tr CL; [(ch 5, sc in next sp) 2 times; ch 5, dc in next sp; (ch 3, dc in next sp) 2 times; (ch 5, sc in next sp) 2 times; ch 5, sc in top of next cluster] around ending with ch 3, dc in joining sc (which counts as last ch-5 sp).

Round 14: 

Ch 1, sc in same sp; (ch 6, sc in next sp) around ending with sl st in 1^st sc.

Optional: (You might find that if you have a tight tension you will need an extra round so that your project can be stretched across the metal ring – Crocheted projects have a lot of stretch in them so you may be fine with ending here – test your mandala out on the ring by doing the next step in the finishing section below)

Round 15: 

Ch 1, sl st in each of the next 3 chs; Now repeat Round 14. Fasten off.

Finishing and Assembly of the Crochet Mandala Decoration:

Attaching Mandala to Ring –

Lay your mandala inside the metal ring and clip ch sps above each 4tr cluster to ring

Then clip ch sps in the center of each section in between cluster sections

(If mandala nicely stretches across ring, you are ready to attach it – if you can’t get it to reach all sides, then add one more round (repeating Round 14 again)

Thread a long length of C2 onto needle – tie opposite end around a ch sp and ring where clip is holding ch sp in place; Sew ch sps to ring by passing over ring and then up through ch sp around entire mandala

Make sure to keep this yarn length taut so all stitching is even

Tie in a knot near where began joining and weave in all ends

Adding Yarn and Ribbon Fringe:

Cut 25 lengths of C1 (each approximately 40” (101.6 cm) long)

Repeat with C4

Using photo as a guide attach yarn fringe and ribbons in the following manner:

(Each bunch of yarn fringe is 5 lengths of yarn)

Fold ribbon/yarn length in half

With the Right Side of the mandala facing insert the loop created from the fold down through the last round (next to the ring)

Pass the cut ends of the ribbon/yarn lengths through the loop and pull tight

Trim fringe so all the same length

Your Crochet Mandala Decoration is Complete!

Tada! Your crochet mandala decoration is complete! Did you make yours in a bunch of colors or did you crochet yours all in one color? Please let me know in the comments below – I love to hear about your ideas and projects! I have now made 3 of these Marvelous Mandala decorations and I am not sure which one is my favorite. I do love that the stitches work together nicely and are very calming to crochet. When I made the smaller red mandala, I think I was able to finish it in less than an hour. I would like to hang it near my kitchen where I have several red accents for decoration. Where would you hang your mandala?

Don’t forget to pin the image below to your Pinterest board so you don’t forget where you found this project!

Since I love to crochet mandalas, I have designed several patterns for them that you can see here. I have even created some that have a Celtic Knot in them – the Celtic Shimmer Mandala and the Celtic Knot Sparkle Mandala.

And remember, you can find all of my FREE crochet patterns here.

Thank you for visiting – Happy crocheting!

Jennifer

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