FREE Mini Crochet Mandala

After spending way too much time browsing the internet trying to find an easy small Manadala pattern I was blown away by all the amazing intricate designs but I just couldn’t find something simple and easy to make so I decided to create my own and here it is. You can get some amazing designs simply by changing the colour schemes and feather designs. This pattern includes the pattern for the dreamcatcher in the hoop, how to add the hoop and how to create the lovely handmade feathers and tassels. You are free to use this pattern to make and sell your makes however could I kindly ask that you do not distribute the pattern freely and instead direct people to where you purchased the pattern.

If you’d like to purchase the ad free pattern so that you can print it and use it anytime its available in both UK and US terms, super cheap on Ravelry and Etsy (use code LCAGBLOG for 25% off on Etsy)

Ravelry – https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/small-dream-catcher
Etsy- https://letscreateagiftca.etsy.com/listing/1403178952

You will need

E (3.5mm) or G (4mm) size crochet hook

3 colours of your chosen cotton (I Like Drops Paris)

Needle for sewing in your ends

5inch hoop (bag handle or a embroidery hoop would work)

Fine comb

Scissors

Terminology
SC – Single Crochet
DC – Double Crochet
HDC – Half Double Crochet
FPDC – Front post Double Crochet
SS – Slip stitch

Let’s create a Dream Catcher…..
Colour A Magic Circle
R1 – 12 double crochet into the circle, pull tight
R2 – Ch3, HDC in to the first stitch. *Chain 1, HDC in the next stitch, Ch1, HDC in the same stitch* repeat all the way around and join with a slip stitch, *Change to Colour B*
R3 – Ch3, *2 FPDC around the first HDC from the previous row. Single Crochet into the top of the next HDC, Ch3* Repeat around and join with a slip stitch.
R4 – *Ch5, skip 5 stitches and SC into the 6th stitch to secure the chain* repeat around. (the DC is going into the end of the chain 3 from the previous round)

*Change to colour C*
R5 – *6SC into the chain space from previous row, 1 SC into the SC from previous row* repeat around

Adding the dreamcatcher to the hoop you will now crochet around the hoop and after approximately every 12th single crochet around the hoop single crochet through the middle single crochet from the previous round. You can use large stitch markers to attach the crocheted mandala to the hoop to ensure your attachments to the hoop are evenly spaced.

The Feathers.
You can use shop bought feathers if preferred but I love these feathers and they’re a great way to use up scraps of yarn from any project.

Feather 1 Cut a 30cm (12 inch) length of cotton (I used my colour C so it matches the hoop), fold in half and tape down to a hard surface.

Put your hook through your hoop and pic up the yarn from the back bringing it back up through the hoop Bringing the yarn back to the front you will now have 2 loops on the hook, then bring the yarn through both loops as you would with a normal single Crochet You now have 1 single Crochet on the hoop and can continue working around in the same way picking up the double crochet in the centre of the arch from the previous round (shown in above pic) Tie on your cotton. Put your hook through the hoop and pic up the cotton with your hook and bring to the front creating a starting loop. Work over the short end to save having to weave it in at the end. Choose the colour for your feather and wrap your cotton around 3 fingers 25 times. If you find this tricky you can use a bank card or similar and wrap the yarn around width ways. On my large feather I used all 3 shades in alternating colours so did this 5 times with each colour. Once wrapped cut the cotton along the top so that you have 25 short lengths of cotton. Thread one of the short lengths under the taped down length from earlier. Tie in a knot over the long thread. Repeat this 24 times until you have all 25 lengths tied onto your large thread. Using a fine comb, comb the lengths outwards to separate the strands of cotton. This will make them look like fluffy feathers. You can then use your scissors to cut them into a feathery shape.

Feathers 2 and 3
These are completed in the same way as above but with a shorter starting thread of only 14cm (6 inches). Rather than alternating colours on these feathers I did them in a gradient pattern, starting with the darkest colour and finishing with the same colour as the hoop.

Tassels
To add a bit of flare, add some tassels to the bottom of the hoop. Using the same colour as your hoop colour cut lengths of cotton in 30 cm (12 inch) lengths. Fold them in half and insert your crochet hook through the back of a single crochet on the hoop, hook your 30cm length in the center and pull it through part way. Fold the lengths back down through the loop you’ve made and pull tight. This will fasten the lengths onto your hoop. I used approx. 12 lengths but you could do as many or as few as you like to give a back drop to the beautiful feathers. Once you’ve added them all on you can again use your scissors to trim them, cutting them into a point gives a really nice finish. Again use your comb to give them a softer finish.