Showing posts with label mandalas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mandalas. Show all posts

Saturday 15 September 2018

STAR LOVER Mandala Collection

how to crochet, mandalas,motifs, stars, free crochet patterns,

When you wish upon a star
makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
will come to you

Saturday 1 September 2018

Sunday 26 August 2018

Sunday 12 August 2018

STAR LOVER Mandalas

how to crochet, STARS, crochet patterns, decorative crochet, mandalas, coasters, doileys,


Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have this wish I wish tonight.

Thursday 26 July 2018

SUMMER DAZE MANDALA

how to crochet, mandalas, free crochet patterns, doileys, coasters, decorative,


I had a dream, a dream about crochet and in the middle of the night, I woke up and drew the shape from the dream. The very next morning I sat down and crocheted the shape. I didn't know what to do with this shape and for six (6) years, this shape has been patiently waiting to share its beauty with the world. 

Sunday 31 December 2017

HAPPY CROCHET and a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018

free crochet patterns, free knit patterns, how to knit, how to crochet, hats, beanies, scarves, mittens, blankets, mandalas,

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”

(Poem: William Arthur Ward)

This poem says it all for me! These words are perfect for my New Year's resolution! Simple and to the point, to live my life to the fullest and to the best of my ability. To let go of fear and to enjoy every moment of every day, to free myself from worry and to release the need to be serious about trivial things, and most of all to allow love and laughter to surround me always!

What are your New Year Resolutions? Do you have any? Or don't you bother making any?

Did you know that about 4000 years ago, the ancient Babylonians were the first people to make New Year's resolutions? Each year in mid-March (the beginning of their year) when the crops were planted, celebrations were held in honour of the New Year!

If you do make a New Year resolution for yourself, and you wish to share, please do so in the comments at end of blog OR on my Facebook page here.

In the meantime, I wish you all a Happy New Year and may you always have lots of sunshine, happiness, health and prosperity! May you always be happy!

May you ALL have wonderful 2018 year, crocheting and knitting many projects and conquering new techniques and stitches.

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I would like to thank everyone who has supported my creative crochet and knit works during 2017.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for buying my patterns and for your lovely comments. 

As soon as the holiday period is over I will be back in the New Year with new designs I managed to crochet and knit during December.

May the New Year 2018 bring you
Love, peace and happiness,
Now and Forever!

Ciao Ciao!


Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet

All Rights Reserved.

Thursday 31 March 2016

MANDALA Blue Skies Crochet Pattern

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Sacred Geometry in Mandalas

Mandalas are seen as sacred places which, by their very presence in the world, remind a viewer of the immanence of sanctity in the universe and its potential in himself.  It is a means to discover divinity by the realization that it resides within one's own self.

How fascinating is this explanation of mandalas?  I thought it would be nice to know a bit about the origins of mandalas whilst I was designing this crochet pattern of Blue Skies MANDALA, so I searched for an explanation and came up with this, absolutely amazing, if you would like to read more please visit the website I mention above.

The preparation of a mandala is an artistic endeavor, but at the same time it is an act of worship. In this form of worship concepts and form are created in which the deepest intuitions are crystallized and expressed as spiritual art. The design, which is usually meditated upon, is a continuum of spatial experiences, the essence of which precedes its existence, which means that the concept precedes the form. 

You could say that crochet mandalas are a spiritual art.  

Often I create my crochet pieces intuitively, and never know where it will lead me, it can take me ages to complete these creations, because basically I just go with the flow when the inspiration comes forth. And this Blue Skies MANDALA, is the perfect example, I started it way back in 2014, and then left it to rest because I wasn't sure what the next round would be or even what colour, so I left it until I could reconnect with my creative guidance.  Now it is complete, and I can share it with you.

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PATTERN DETAILS

DIFFICULTY:  Easy Intermediate
SIZES:  Three (3) sizes - A = Small;  B = Medium;  C = Large
MEASUREMENTS:  Approx. A = 5.5in (14.5cm);  B = 9.5in (24.5cm);  C = 13in (33.5cm) 
YARN USED:  Debbie Bliss Cathay (discontinued) ● 50% Cotton  35% Viscose Microfibre 15% Silk ● 50g  109yd (100m) ● 
YARN SUBSTITUTE:  Any similar yarn and recommended hook
TENSION:  Not critical for this pattern
NOTIONS:  3mm hook, Yarn needle
PATTERN NOTES:  Mandala is worked in the round.  Each round is completed before changing colour.  Instructions in this pattern are for one (1) mandala in three (3) sizes, using seven (7) colours.   This pattern has accompanying photographs at the end of the written instructions.

This pattern is available in USA American Crochet Terms.

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MANDALA Blue Skies Crochet Pattern
is available from my online stores

CRAFTSY      RAVELRY

Do come and have a play with the
MANDALA Blue Skies Crochet Pattern
use as many colours or as few as you dare!

Remember to explore my other mandala-style 
crochet patterns, as listed below

how to crochet mandalas, crochet patterns, mandalas, coasters, placemats, doilies,

Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!


Copyright © 2008
Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.
All rights reserved.


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Monday 1 February 2016

Enchanted Forest Mandalas

crochet patterns, mandalas, doily, coasters, how to crochet,

January Blues

For some people, January is all doom and gloom.  All the festivities of Christmas and New Year are now over; there's talk of New Year resolutions and some are actually doing a dry-January. There are those who wish winter was over and wanting it to get warmer, because all those wet, windy, cold, sunless short days are driving them to depression. 


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Whereas, for me, well I just LOVE January, it is a time of peace and quiet, a time to relax and chill out in our little cave, a time to hibernate, I love it!


crochet patterns, how to crochet, mandalas, doily, coasters,


I love the time to myself, I love the cold, wet weather which forces me to stay indoors, I can rummage to my hearts content, read as much as I like, draw, crochet, knit, nap, try out new recipes, rearrange my drawers and cupboards, discard stuff I no longer need or don't use, and basically declutter.  


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Best of all, it is a great time to take sunrise photos (when the sun is visible) because sunrise is as late as 8am.  This is the perfect time of year for resting and recouping!  A time of reflection without distractions! Absolutely perfect!

Crochet Discoveries

I managed to sort out my stash of yarn and stack of unfinished projects, and have decided to complete some crochet items I had worked on and put aside for another day for whatever reason, and now here is the first crochet project I decided to complete.

ENCHANTED FOREST Mandalas


crochet patterns, how to crochet, mandalas, doily, coasters,

I started this creation about two (2) summers ago.  It was a WIP (work-in-progress) for so long only because I would take my time to decide what stitch pattern to do next, so I would only do it when the inspiration took me there!  I was also using up my scraps of DMC Petra 5, so it had a totally different look, in the original work I used a total of six (6) colours and even had more rows, but for the NEW look I excluded the last four (4) rows to keep it a reasonable size.  Then I chose the colours of peppermint and avocado to complement my sofa cushions, so you are quite welcome to chose any colour you prefer to complement your home decore.

Here are the PATTERN DETAILS:


DIFFICULTY:  Easy Intermediate
SIZES:  Three (3) sizes - A = small; B = medium; C = large
MEASUREMENTS:  approx. A = 13cm (5in);  B = 23cm (9in);  C = 41cm (16in)
YARN USED:  Wendy Supreme Luxury Cotton 4ply ● 100% Mercerized Cotton ● 100g/267m/292yds ● Shades: MC Peppermint (1831)  CC Avocado (1826) ● 1 ball of each
NOTIONS:  3mm hook, Yarn needle

PATTERN NOTES:  You need to know how to colour change and crochet in the round. Instructions in this pattern are for three (3) mandalas, using two (2) colours, colour changes are mentioned in the pattern. This written pattern has accompanying photographs at the end of the written instructions.

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Deep in the Enchanted Forest a tiny little spider creates amazingly intricate, delicate and colourful spider webs. Enchanted Forest Mandalas were inspired by these spider webs, and now you too can decorate your home with vibrant coloured spider web designs.  Come along and have a play and have some fun!  




ENCHANTED FOREST Mandalas Crochet Pattern is available in USA American Crochet Terms and UK British Crochet Terms.
Please select the correct terminology when purchasing your pattern.


ENCHANTED FOREST Mandalas Crochet Pattern 
is available from my online stores:
  
CRAFTSY        RAVELRY

crochet patterns, how to crochet, mandalas, doily, coasters,


Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!



Copyright © 2008
Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.
All rights reserved.


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Friday 25 February 2011

Loving the Hearts - Crochet Doily Pattern

how to crochet hearts, doily, doilies, placemats, mandalas, free crochet patterns,
Crochet Hearts Doily - after row 8
Work in Progress
As promised I started the "Crochet-Along Hearts Doily" last night and here are some photos of my progress.


I placed it over my blue doily for size comparison, you can see it will end up a bit bigger which is not an issue, and I am really enjoying the experience.  

Thank you to Cylinda Matthews from Crochet Memories for this wonderful crochet hearts doily pattern.

free crochet patterns, how to crochet, hearts, mandalas, doily, placemats, doilies,
Crochet Hearts Doily Pattern - after row 17

Confusion
The pattern is easy to follow,  although there were a few moments there, I wasn't exactly sure what it was saying and I actually thought there was a mistake in the pattern, I think it was my haste to get on with it, because as soon as I focused and re-read the instruction it all made sense.

I think this is where a chart would help to explain what is happening in each row.

The end is in sight!
So tonight I will have completed the doily, so excited about it, now it will be interesting deciding where to use it!

free crochet patterns, how to crochet, hearts, doily, mandalas, doilies, placemats,
Crochet Hearts Doily - WIP

I hope you are willing to try this Hearts Doily Pattern, it is really quite easy and I think it would look lovely in a heavier cotton, maybe something like a 4ply or even an DK, using either Patons 100% Cotton, or Wendy Supreme Luxury Cotton.  I am sure that will be a project for another time.

Do come back and share your creations, when you have tried this beautiful Hearts Doily Pattern, I would love to see your lovely handiwork.

Ciao, Ciao



Copyright © 2008
Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.
All rights reserved.


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Wednesday 23 February 2011

Mandala of Hearts - Love, Love, Love!

free crochet patterns, hearts, mandalas, how to crochet, doilies,


Doily Heaven


Have you ever searched for doily patterns on the web?  OMG - there are soooo many. I don't know why I never thought to go to this place before. So many designs and colour schemes and amazing little angels and swans and oh my just so much doily stuff. I am in doily heaven.

I spent at least an hour or so, of just browsing and admiring and dared not spend more time searching in case I was swallowed up by the massive array of doily patterns. A bit like a "black hole" - the black hole of crochet doilies!

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Joy of Discovery


I was overjoyed to find at least a couple of FREE doily patterns which included heart shapes and didn't seem too complicated or overtaxing. You know, it is my first real attempt at serious doily crochet - and I am so keen on following through with my "hearts" theme  - I like to think of these as my heart mandalas bringing in lots of love into my world!

I managed to crochet a total of  three (3) doilies (different sizes using different yarns and hooks) all made in one afternoon - this crochet heart doily pattern is really easy and once you have made one doily, it is REALLY easy to remember the pattern and to crochet another doily without having to refer to the writtern pattern (well hardly) at all! 

I really, really love this easy heart pattern and have a few ideas about how I can use it elsewhere. Of course, when I get around to crocheting my ideas I will share it with you. But for now I am taking a break from the heart doily thing and focusing on finishing a few other "WIP" which have been  patiently waiting in the bottom of my work basket.

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Pattern Source

This first pattern is a very good beginner's pattern.  If you would like to download the pattern you will find it HERE.

free crochet patterns, hearts, mandalas, doilies,

I also found a second hearts doily pattern, however you will have to wait for my next hearts mandala doily BLOG.  I aim to start on the lovely heart doily pattern tonight or tomorrow. Depends on how quickly I finish off some loose ends (so to speak)!

The Crochet Memories website seems to have (or used to have - I didn't check it out thoroughly yet)  "crochet-along" patterns.  So you could join in and crochet a certain amount of the doily and then wait for the rest to be posted. Anyway the Hearts Doily Pattern I am talking about is available to download from HERE.

I hope this has been of benefit to some of you and if anyone has any other websites of interest to share please post a comment at the end of the blog post below, and it will be lovely to see what else is out there for everyone to enjoy!  

free crochet patterns, hearts, mandalas, doilies,

Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!

Copyright © 2008
Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.
All rights reserved.


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