Crochet flower mandala with a simple color change

A round flower mandala. Made with a 4mm hook. About 4-6 hours, worked in an evening or two.

Crochet flower mandala with a simple color change
Crochet flower mandala with a simple color change
  • LevelIntermediate
  • Time4-6 hours
  • Hook4 mm
  • Yarn8ply / DK

About This Pattern

This mandala grows from a small magic loop into a flat, sunny disc. It sits well in an evening with the television low. Fourteen rounds move it from plain hdc into a petaled, two-color piece. It asks for a steady hand, a 4mm hook, and cotton yarn that holds its shape. Nothing about it is rushed. Each round builds cleanly on the last, so you always know where you are.

In the basket

Abbreviations

sl st
slip stitch
ch
chain
sc
single crochet
hdc
half double crochet
dc
double crochet
tr
treble crochet

Crochet flower mandala with a simple color change

Main Pattern

Converted from the designer's UK terms to US terms.

Skill level: Beginners.

Round 1: worked in pink.

  1. Round 1Magic loop then work 8 hdc. (8 hdc)Step by step Start with pink. Make a magic ring, chain 1 (does not count as a stitch), then work 8 hdc into the ring. Sl st to the top of the first hdc to join the round. (8 hdc)
  2. Round 22 hdc in each st around. (16 hdc)Step by step Chain 2 (counts as 1 hdc), then work 1 more hdc into the same stitch. Work 2 hdc into each stitch from the previous round. Sl st to the top of the ch-2 to join. (16 hdc)
  3. Round 31 hdc, 2 hdc around. (24 hdc)Step by step Chain 2 (counts as 1 hdc), then work 2 hdc in the next stitch. Continue working 1 hdc, then 2 hdc into each stitch from the previous round, all the way around. Sl st to the top of the ch-2 to join. (24 hdc) Fasten off. Round 4: switch to green; fasten off after Round 5.
  4. Round 4Ch3, skip st, sc in next - repeat around. (12 sc, 12 ch-3 spaces)Step by step Switch to green. Sl st into any hdc from the previous round. Ch1 (does not count as a stitch), then 1 sc. Ch3, skip a stitch, then sc into the next. Continue to ch3, then sc into every second stitch all the way around. Sl st into the first sc to join the round. (12 x ch-3 spaces, 12 sc)
  5. Round 54 dc in each ch-3 space. (12 x 4dc)(48 dc)Step by step Sl st into the first ch-3 space. Ch3 (counts as 1 dc), then work 3 more dc into the same ch-3 space. Work 4 dc into each ch-3 space all the way around. Sl st into the top of the first ch-3. Fasten off. (48 dc)(12 x 4dc) Round 6: switch to yellow; fasten off after Round 7.
  6. Round 6Ch5 then sl st in between gap between two 4dc groups. Repeat around. (12 sl st, 12 x ch-5 spaces)Step by step Switch to yellow. Sl st between any two groups of 4dc from the previous round. Ch5, sl st in between the first two groups of 4dc. Continue to ch5, then sl st in between the dc groups all the way around. (12 sl st, 12 x ch-5 spaces)
  7. Round 71 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc into each ch-5 space.Step by step In each ch-5 space, work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, repeating all the way around to form the petals. After the last sc, cut the yarn and thread it onto a needle. Fasten off. (12 petals) Round 8: switch to blue; fasten off after Round 9.
  8. Round 8Dc between petals, ch3, sl st at petal top, ch3. Repeat around. (12 dc, 12 sl st, 24 x ch3)Step by step Switch to blue. Sl st in between any of the 2sc from the previous round, at the base of a petal. Ch6 (counts as 1 dc, ch3). Sl st into the top of the tr from the previous round, then ch3. Work dc between the petals, ch3, sl st at the petal top, ch3, repeating all the way around. Finish with a sl st into the 3rd chain of the initial ch6. (12 dc, 12 sl st, 24 x ch3)
  9. Round 95 sc in each ch-3 group. (120 sc)Step by step Sl st into a ch-3 space. Ch1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 5 sc in each ch-3 space all the way around. Fasten off. (120 sc) Round 10: switch to green.
  10. Round 10Sl st in between 5sc groups, ch4. Repeat around. (24 sl st, 24 x ch4)Step by step Switch to green. Sl st in between any two 5sc groups. Ch4, sl st in between every 5sc group, repeating all the way around. (24 sl st, 24 x ch4)
  11. Round 11Work 8 dc into a ch-4 space, sl st in the next - alternate around. (12 sl st, 12 x 8dc groups)Step by step Sl st into the next ch-4 space, ch3 (counts as 1 dc), then work 7 more dc into the same space. Sl st in the following ch-4 space. Work 8 dc in the next ch-4 space. Continue alternating 8 dc into a ch-4 space, then sl st into the next, all the way around. (12 sl st, 12 x 8dc groups) Round 12: switch to yellow.
  12. Round 12Work 1 sc into each stitch around.Step by step Switch to yellow. Sl st into any dc from the previous round. Ch1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 sc into each stitch all the way around. Round 13: switch to pink; fasten off after Round 14.
  13. Round 13In the top two sc of each petal work 1 dc3tog, ch1, 1 dc3tog and then ch9 - repeat around. (24 x dc3tog, 12 x ch9)Step by step Switch to pink. Find the top two sc of any petal. Sl st into the first of those two sc, ch3, then work a dc3tog, ch1, then another dc3tog into the next sc, ch9. Repeat this dc3tog, ch1, dc3tog, ch9 sequence all the way around. Sl st into the top of the first dc3tog. (24 x dc3tog, 12 x ch9)
  14. Round 14Work 2 sc in the ch-1 space and then in the ch-9 space, work 7 sc, ch3, 7 sc - repeat around. Fasten off. (12 x 7sc, ch3, 7sc groups, 12 x 2sc pairs)Step by step Sl st between any dc3tog pair, work 2 sc in the ch-1 space. In the ch-9 space, work 7 sc, ch3, 7 sc. Repeat all the way around, then fasten off. (12 x 7sc, ch3, 7sc groups, 12 x 2sc pairs)

More pictures

Crochet flower mandala with a simple color change — photo 2
Crochet flower mandala with a simple color change — photo 3
Crochet flower mandala with a simple color change — photo 4
Crochet flower mandala with a simple color change — photo 5
Crochet flower mandala with a simple color change — photo 6

Before the first stitch

  1. Check you have enough pink and green cotton for two color sections.
  2. Read Round 4 first — the ch-3 spaces set up all later shaping.
  3. Work a small swatch to check your hdc tension in cotton.

Minutes per piece

  • Rounds 1-3, plain hdc base about 20 minutes, because the stitch count stays simple

Other yarns that work

  • Mercerized cotton, DK weight Gives sharper stitch definition and a slightly firmer disc.
  • Acrylic-cotton blend, worsted weight Softer drape and a bigger finished size; try a 4.5mm hook.

Where it ends up

  • A trivet for the kitchen table, paired with a plain linen runner.
  • A small wall hanging, grouped with two or three smaller motifs.
  • A decorative coaster set, paired with plain stoneware mugs.

Small notes

  • Cotton has less give than wool. Keep your hdc tension even so the ch-3 spaces stay open.
  • A 4mm hook suits Heirloom Cotton 8ply well. Check gauge if your mandala feels tight or ruffled.
  • Take a break periodically to maintain even tension and prevent hand cramping.
  • Maintain even tension for consistent stitches and shape.
  • Beginners may prefer working with a light-colored, worsted weight yarn.
  • This pattern is written for beginners.

Little questions

  • Can I make the mandala bigger?

    Yes, add extra rounds after Round 14 using the same hdc and dc pattern. Keep your tension even so the disc stays flat.

  • Why does Round 4 use chains instead of stitches?

    The ch-3 spaces open up room for the 4-dc shells in Round 5. This is what starts the flower shape.

  • What if my mandala starts to cup instead of lying flat?

    This usually means your stitches are too tight. Try a slightly larger hook or relax your tension.

  • Do I need stitch markers?

    A single marker at the start of each round helps you track your place. It is especially useful during the color change at Round 4.

Original pattern: https://redagapeblog.com/flower-power-mandala/

About the Author

Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.

Small things, by email

A little pattern now and then. Nothing more.