Love Yourself Mandala Crochet – Tutorial

Crochet mandalas are not just beautiful decorative pieces, they are also symbolic, representing unity, harmony, and self-expression.

The Love Yourself Mandala is a perfect crochet pattern for those who want to create something meaningful while improving their crochet skills.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, this tutorial will walk you through the process of creating a gorgeous mandala that serves as a reminder to nurture self-love.

In this detailed tutorial, you’ll learn how to work with vibrant yarns, how to follow the mandala’s circular design, and how to crochet each round with precision. Grab your hook, some colorful yarn, and let’s get started on this uplifting project!

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Materials Needed for the Love Yourself Mandala

Before diving into the crochet pattern, it’s important to gather all your materials. Choosing the right yarn and hook will make a big difference in the overall texture and appearance of your mandala.

Materials:

• Yarn: Choose 3-4 different colors of cotton or acrylic yarn (lightweight or DK yarn works best for a delicate mandala).
• Crochet Hook: Size G (4.0 mm) or H (5.0 mm) depending on your yarn weight.
• Scissors: To trim your yarn ends as you work through each round.
• Tapestry Needle: For weaving in yarn ends and finishing your project.
• Stitch Markers: Optional, but useful for keeping track of rounds.

Choosing yarn colors for your mandala can be a personal and creative decision. Many crocheters like to choose colors that resonate with specific feelings or emotions. Since this is a Love Yourself Mandala, you might want to choose soft pastels, calming blues, or vibrant pinks and reds to symbolize love and positivity.

Starting the Mandala – Round 1 and 2

Let’s begin crocheting your Love Yourself Mandala. The first few rounds establish the foundation of the circular design, so it’s important to pay attention to your stitch counts. Mandalas typically start with a magic ring to create a tight, clean center.

Round 1:

1. Begin with a magic ring. (If you prefer, you can chain 4 and join to form a ring.)
2. Chain 3 (this counts as the first double crochet), then work 11 double crochets into the ring.
3. Slip stitch to the top of the chain 3 to close the round. You should have 12 double crochets in total.

This first round creates the very center of your mandala, a small circle that will serve as the base for the rest of the design. If you’re using different colors, you can change colors at the end of any round for added visual interest.

Round 2:

1. Chain 3 (counts as the first double crochet), and work 1 more double crochet into the same stitch.
2. Work 2 double crochets in each stitch around (24 stitches total).
3. Slip stitch to the top of the chain 3 to close the round.

Round 2 is all about building upon the foundation and expanding the circle. Keep your stitches consistent, and be sure to count as you go to avoid any mistakes. This round is great for experimenting with different colors to give your mandala some depth.

Expanding the Mandala – Rounds 3 to 6

As you continue working on the Love Yourself Mandala, each round will increase in size and complexity, forming the distinct, eye-catching patterns that make mandalas so captivating.

Round 3:

1. Chain 3, double crochet into the next stitch.
2. Chain 1, skip 1 stitch, double crochet in the next 2 stitches repeat around.
3. Slip stitch to join. You’ll have groups of two double crochets separated by chain spaces.

This round starts creating open spaces, which are an essential part of the mandala design. The chain spaces will help break up the solid double crochets and give the mandala a lacy appearance.

Round 4:

1. Chain 3, double crochet into the chain space, chain 1, skip next double crochet, double crochet into the next repeat around.
2. Slip stitch to close the round.

Round 4 adds another layer of texture to the mandala, creating subtle gaps that emphasize the circular pattern. It’s also a good opportunity to introduce another color for contrast, giving your mandala a rainbow effect if you’re using multiple yarns.

Round 5:

1. Chain 4 (this counts as the first double crochet and chain 1), skip the next stitch, double crochet in the next, chain 1, skip next stitch repeat around.
2. Slip stitch to join.

In Round 5, you’ll notice that the mandala is growing in width, and the open chain spaces are becoming more pronounced. This adds to the delicate, intricate look of the design, which is a hallmark of mandalas.

Round 6:

1. Chain 3, work 2 double crochets in the next chain space.
2. Chain 1, work 2 double crochets in the next chain space, chain 1 repeat around.
3. Slip stitch to join.

This round builds up the pattern and gives the mandala a fuller appearance. As your mandala continues to grow, it will begin to take on the distinctive symmetrical shape that is key to any mandala design. Each round allows you to express your creativity through color changes and stitch variations.

Completing the Mandala – Rounds 7 to 10

The final rounds of your Love Yourself Mandala will give the design its finished shape. These rounds often involve more intricate stitch patterns to add visual complexity and beauty to the mandala.

Round 7:

1. Chain 3, work 3 double crochets in the next chain space, chain 1 repeat around.
2. Slip stitch to join.

This round adds clusters of double crochets to your mandala, giving it more texture and detail. By now, your mandala should be growing into a vibrant, colorful design that reflects your personal style.

Round 8:

1. Chain 3, double crochet in the next stitch, chain 1, skip next stitch repeat around.
2. Slip stitch to close the round.

In this round, the pattern creates more open spaces, which helps to balance the densely worked clusters from the previous rounds. This balance of solid stitches and open spaces is one of the characteristics that make mandalas so appealing.

Round 9:

1. Chain 4 (this counts as the first double crochet and chain 1), skip the next stitch, double crochet in the next, chain 1 repeat around.
2. Slip stitch to join.

As you near the end of the mandala, this round helps to further expand the design, giving it a complete and symmetrical look. The combination of stitches and chain spaces creates a visual flow, drawing the eye toward the center.

Round 10 (Final Round):

1. Chain 3, work 4 double crochets in the next chain space, chain 1 repeat around.
2. Slip stitch to close.

The final round adds a beautiful, textured edge to your mandala. This finishing touch completes the pattern, leaving you with a mandala that radiates color and love.

Finishing Your Love Yourself Mandala

Once you’ve finished crocheting the mandala, it’s time to weave in any loose ends using your tapestry needle. You can block the mandala by lightly spraying it with water and pinning it down to a flat surface. Blocking helps to smooth out the stitches and ensure that the mandala lays flat.

This Love Yourself Mandala can be used in various ways, from a decorative wall hanging to a table centerpiece. You could even use it as part of a larger project, such as attaching it to a pillow or integrating it into a quilt. No matter how you choose to use it, the mandala serves as a reminder to always embrace self-care and positivity.

Final Thoughts on the Love Yourself Mandala Crochet Pattern

The Love Yourself Mandala crochet pattern is not only a beautiful project but also an opportunity to reflect on self-love and mindfulness while crocheting. Mandalas have long been symbols of wholeness and balance, and this pattern allows you to bring that energy into your home.

PATTERN HERE

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, this pattern offers a satisfying experience with each round you complete. Feel free to experiment with different colors and yarns to make it truly your own. Remember to share your completed mandala with your crochet community and tag it with the keywords crochet and crochet pattern to inspire others to embark on their own mandala journey.

Happy crocheting!