Mandala Madness - version 4 (parts 4-6)

So I have done the next three parts of the new Mandala Madness blanket - version 4. I have forgotten how quick the earlier parts of this blanket are compared to the parts that I am working through on the other blankets. A round can take under an hour, compared to several hours on the other versions. Hence the fact that I have been able to complete the next three parts so quickly.

I am really loving how the stylecraft batik swirl yarn is working up. I was concerned about the bigger the blanket got the harder it will be to get all the way around before the colour changes. So far I have been really fortunate. There have only been a couple of times that the colour has changed mid-way but it hasn't been obvious. I know though that I will end up changing before getting back to the beginning on latter round, especially on ones that contain an awful lot of trebles!

So far I have used up nearly two 'cakes' of the batik swirls. The first one has got the lovely complementary lime green that goes so well with the different shades of purple. The second 'cake' is just shades of purple. I have two more still in my stash and I think the next one will be soft shades of greys and pale purples. Can't wait.

Parts 4-6

Mandala Madness - version 4 (parts 1-3)

So as you know, I have been working on crocheting 3 Mandala Madness blankets at the same time since May last year. I have finished the white one (up to the end of the circle part by Helen) as it was a Christmas present for my Mum. I have said I will have it back off her once the weather gets warmer again so that I can get it squared up for her for next winters cold weather. The black one is up to the end of part 14 and the colour change one is up to the end of part 17. I am just waiting for my wool to come through the post so that I can get on further as I have not enough to complete the next round.

So with all that I thought it was a good time to start another one!

I have the most beautiful double knit yarn which is Stylecraft batik swirl and comes in a 200g cake. It is so soft. Unlike the Scheepjes whirl which has very slow and subtle colour changes (one thread at a time), this wools colour changes are very much quicker. I was quite apprehensive about how this would work out as unlike the double knit versions I am doing where a complete round stays the same colour, this one won't. So far the changes have worked out really well but the blanket is still small in size. I shall see how it progresses as I work through the next parts.

Parts 1-3. Love this pattern.

Mandala Madness - Part 14

Well its been a long time coming. To get all three blankets to the same point. I had managed to run (nearly) out of the green that I was using for my black blanket and wanted to wait until I had some more of the exact shade before continuing. It definitely made me lack the motivation to continue even though I knew I would have enough to do the current part and wouldn't need it again for the next part. My local wool shop always had it in stock, until I of course needed it. I also wanted to complete the white one as it was a Christmas present for my Mum. I will square it off for her at a later date but for now it is finished.

Onto part 14 then.

The blankets, at the beginning, start to smooth out to a more circle shape with lots of single and double crochets. I am really liking how the colour is starting to get lighter on the whirl blanket. The grey is starting to really fade out. It will be interesting to see how the blanket looks once it gets to the very pale grey/white colour where there is a dark band preceding it. I will have to think carefully which colour I will want to add in next.

The double knit blankets are getting so big. And they will only get bigger! It takes much longer to go around now, especially when there are rounds that are full of trebles. I like the front post trebles that are near the end of this part. They are really effective and add texture. I did the ones for the double knit blankets in the main colour as I like how it has gone over the green section. Making it look almost as though the green is behind and peeking out.

A lovely part to do and am glad I can now continue with them all.

Onto part 15 ................