I’m on Part 17 of Mandala Madness by Helen Shrimpton.
The end is in sight.
I started this project back at the beginning of August and it has gradually taken over my every waking hour – very little else gets done. I hate to have to leave it, I wake early in the morning to work on it and I’ve enjoyed seeing it grow and develop. It is the first project I have done for myself for ages and I love it.
Huge gratitude goes to Helen for the amazing pattern and to Esther of It’s all in a Nutshell for her wonderful video tutorials.
I have made a few alterations along the way:
- Spiro Star at the centre (tutorial here)
- Baby pineapples in Part 10, instead of bobbles in diamonds
- Plain single crochet instead of extended single crochet in Part 12.
- Missing out the back posts in Round 86 to create a slightly more broderie anglaise effect.
- And I plan to do a lacy edging, yet to be decided – any ideas or suggestions would be very welcome.
But other than that it is Helen’s pattern.
It is made with Scheepjes Bonbon cotton yarn and a 2mm hook.
The finished piece will measure about 1m across when finished.
I finished the 11th ball of the Chrystaline (main colour) just before the end of Round 102. So far I’m still on the first balls of Lime Juice, Candlelight, Snow White and Tropic.
If you would like to see some other yarny beauties and have a good old natter, pop across to Nanacathy.
This is so intricate and beautiful, you’ve done a lovely job!
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Thank you. It is a wonderful free pattern.
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Gorgeous work. I can only dream of having the level of patience and staying power to complete something like this x
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Thank you. I’m rather surprised myself, but nowadays I have more time to be creative and to follow excellent video tutorials. Your time will come! 😉
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I’ve always got distracted by something else I want to make that I tend to make quicker to complete projects now, so that I actually do complete everything! My head is constantly whirring with new ideas too, the curse of being creative I guess, and a very busy life with 3 young boys probably doesn’t really help haha. Once the boys are bigger I will make a giant mandala rug for our lounge 💜
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I know the curse of the creative mind all too well! and have three children.. (and now 8 grandchildren)
I have some understanding of how it is for you! 😉 😀
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Amazing!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Wow, this is stunning! Great work. 💜💕
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Thank you. 🙂
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It’s looking wonderful, Sandra
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If only I’d stopped there! 😉
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Fascinating and definitely a work of art.
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Thank you Denis.
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That is beautiful. 🙂 I know the feeling when you get stuck into a crocheting project. Working with such a fine yarn makes it more intensive too. Have fun finishing it off!
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Thank you Cathy, I have not made anything this fine before. I have loved it, and yes it is intense.
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It’ is simply glorious. I wonder what it would look like with some seed bead added? Feel free to go off me with that suggestion!
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You’ve done it again Cathy – you are getting to know me very well!! Last night, I couldn’t sleep as I was imagining it sewn onto the turquoise painted canvas. As i thought about it, the idea of adding beads came into my head. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, I really love and appreciate your ideas. ❤
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Utterly gorgeous – and getting so big now!
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Thank you Sheila, yes she is growing!
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I’m sure it will give you many years of pleasure just looking at it – beautiful!
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Thank you RJ – I think you are right!
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Wow. It’s amazing how addictive something as creative as this can become. It’s a long time since i’ve had that feeling. Good for you!
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Thank you MM – it’s a long time for me too – and it was painting a series of about 50 paintings that got me last time – but that was about 15 years ago.
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That is a lot of paintings:)
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I know – it was a bit frenzied and I often painted late into the night with avant garde music playing – it was just after the last of my 3 children left home, so I guess it was my way of processing that event in a creative way.
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Its stunning!
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Thank you so much Janette. The pattern is a joy to work with.
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Wow, that’s absolutely beautiful Sandra. We are just starting up the crochet group you helped me seed, ready for the dark evenings. Thankyou for your inspiration. love elizabethxxx
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Thank you Elizabeth, so lovely to hear from you. I am thrilled to know you will be crocheting together again, I’m with you all in spirit. Maybe I will squeeze in a visit before crochet season ends. 😉
I long to be in your wonderful treehouse again one day. I’m just going to add the link here for anyone who might be interested:
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2847200
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I hope to see it in the flesh one day…
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Ooooooh! Does that mean you have plans to come to Dorset Jan?! That would be wonderful! ❤
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It is still getting more and more beautiful, Daffy as it grows. The different patterns and colours really make it stand out. It is outstanding! 🙂
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Thank you Eddie, I’m so eager to get to the end now to see it as I imagine in my mind’s eye.
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Love the little bit of light yellow, you are doing a magnificent job with this!
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Thanks so much Kathy, it makes it all the more fun to know you are enjoying seeing the progress.
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Amazing, and I can see how they take over your life.
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Thank you Deb. I’ve only just put down the hook – gone midnight – this is getting silly!
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That is a work of art 👍
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So kind – I often wonder whether I should frame it rather than use it as a tablecloth once finished.
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FRAME IT
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😀 ❤ 😀
I hear you! and I'm seriously thinking about it. Actually I've been chewing over that very thought for most of the day! ❤
Thank you for your encouragement.
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Beautiful work
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Thank you Katerina. 🙂
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So beautiful!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Exquisite!
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Thank you Laurie.
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