Mandalas to Crochet: 30 Great Patterns by Haafner Linssen

source: free copy courtesy of St. Martin’s Griffin
title: Mandalas to Crochet: 30 Great Patterns
designer: Haafner Linssen
published: St. Martin’s Griffin (March 15, 2016)
rated: 5 out of 5 stars

blurb:
Crocheted mandalas are having a moment! And it’s no wonder the lovely mandala is in vogue: one evening is often enough to begin and finish something eye-catching. Many crocheters make mandalas as a meditative activity, while others love them simply for the wonderful opportunities they offer for mixing colors and stitch textures. A new take on traditional shapes, like granny squares or hexagons, these attractive crocheted circles are causing a real buzz in the crochet community.

Included are complete written and charted directions for a variety of types of circular designs, plus a range of creative techniques and ideas to make yours stand out from the crowd. With full patterns and inspiring photos, a review of crochet techniques, a discussion of materials, colors, finishing techniques, and lots of project ideas including bags, shawls, blankets, and pillows, this book guarantees many hours of happy mandala-making.

my thoughts:
Mandalas to Crochet: 30 Great Patterns by Haafner Linssen has become an instant favorite. This one has thirty gorgeous mandala patterns, crisp photos, clear instructions and really is a visual delight.

Designer Haafner Linssen says “In Hinduism and Buddhism, mandalas have a ritual role, representing Buddha or even the universe. The different parts of such a mandala have a symbolic meaning. For instance, the outer circle often symbolizes wisdom in Buddhism”

This book is divided up into three chapters. The first chapter is called “Before You Begin” and talks about yarns, colors, charts and a crochet refresher course. In the second chapter, you have thirty mandala patterns ranging from beginner to advanced. The designs she has come up with are stunning and range from traditional looking mandalas to more chic and modern ones.

The third chapter is called “Projects” and has seven projects you can make such a boho bag, hot pad and even a summer scarf all using mandalas. There are charts to follow with each pattern and the back of the book contains a section of symbols an abbreviations used.

I worked up a design called “Say it with Flowers” and I found the pattern to be well written and clear. I made my mandala using cotton yarn in my favorite blues and teal colors.

Special thanks to St. Martin’s press for my copy of Mandalas to Crochet: 30 Great Patterns by Haafner Linssen! This a crochet pattern book that I will be using time and again.

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Disclaimer: This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any kind of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Nothing in this post is available for download, the crochet photos are my own.