Mandala Madness - Part 8

Well I have finally finished part 8 on all three of the blankets and have completed a new stitch that I have not done before. This part uses a long stitch, well more than one version of a long stitch if I am to be precise. It just depends on how many times around the hook the long stitch has. I was a bit concerned on how it would work on the colour change version. I knew there would be enough texture difference to work but what about colour difference. I needn't have worried as the change in colour was good and just enough. The lilac that is coming in was enough of a contrast over the treble clusters but not too much.

The double knit versions are really starting to show in size now. Doing the long stitch round (once I had got the hang of it) did seem to take a while but it is to be expected. I can imagine that future rounds are going to take an awful lot longer, especially if they are heavy on technique. Although I did find it a bit tricky to get the hang of, and I did have to have a couple of goes at it to get the tension right, I am pleased with how the colour pink "pops" over the base colour and also the other accent colour. Either grey on the white blanket or blue on the black blanket. I am really pleased with how they are yet again changing and the new stitches I am learning.

Onto part 9 .................

Mandala Madness - Part 7

Well that's part 7 completed on all of the three blankets and they have started to have a subtle shape change again. Rather than staying as a star shape (that part 6 finished on) there is a curve section that is starting to grow in the base of the inverted points. This has been done with treble clusters, to start to fill it in and then on the next round, little shells have been which makes it look like a little fan behind. I like with the double knit versions that this part has been done with green wool and ties in very nicely with the ruffle stitch that was done in part 3.

I really enjoyed doing the bobble stitch last time so was really pleased to see that it is repeated again in this part. With both my double knit versions the bobbles are in different colours, one in pink and one in the base colour of either black or white. I like how this adds to the texture with my choice of repeated colours although I am sure when I get a bit further out I will have to carefully work out which rounds I colour change on. With the colour change wool (the Schjeepes whirl) I was concerned with the bobbles again that the subtle colour change might not be so subtle as you have to turn your work and go in the opposite direction and then change back again. I didn't want a section that looked a bit stronger in colour than the other side especially as it is getting bigger now and I cant get all the way around before the colour change comes in. It didn't show though so I was really pleased with that. The "cake" is getting close to finishing so I am going to have to go and buy another one and decide whether or not to keep going with the same one or try a new one. The colour has now gone into the dusky pink shade and is leaving very little of the old colour. Coming up is lilac and that will be the end shade.

Onto part 8 ....................

Mandala Madness - Part 6

Well part 6 has a new stitch for me to learn and I absolutely love it! I now have been doing the bobble stitch. At first I was a bit apprehensive as it meant turning my blanket around and working from the back instead of the front. It was a little fiddly at first but I soon got used to it. I started doing this new stitch on the white blanket. The one that will eventually be given to my Mum and did the bobble section using the pink wool. I am still trying to work out how to repeat my accent colours on the double knit blankets. The repeat is; pink, green and then either blue or grey depending on which of the double knit blankets it is.

With the colour change I don't have that issue but I was concerned about working from the back with the bobbles. The wool very slowly changes and as I have been going in the same direction I was worried that I would end up with a section that might be more of a block of colour rather than the subtle variation in colour that is barely noticeable. I needn't have worried as where the rounds are still fairly small the change doesn't show and I know its there! The colour, by the end of the part, has changed again. The green has completely gone and a dusky pink colour has now started to creep in.

The part ended up finishing with a round that reminds me of a picket fence and for the first time there are big(ish) visible gaps in the work. It will be interesting to see how the next part starts from there. I am looking forward to it.

Onto part 7 ...................

Mandala Madness - Part 5

My three blankets are starting to change shape again. Instead of having sides that are more in a straight line they have started to look like a flower at the end of this part. The crochet has been nice to do and really straight forward. There have been no tricky stitches to try and learn which has been good (although I do like a good challenge). Working behind the popcorns has meant that the colour has travelled from one section to the next without it being too obvious and having either a big visible line or the need to cut the wool and join on.

I really like working from the back and around the posts as with both versions done in the double knit you get a line appearing when you have the colour change just a little bit lower. I also like how it makes that section stand a bit more proud than the rest of the work. I nice texture touch.

All three blankets are starting to show how the pattern ways are working. I like that I am getting an idea of the repeat colours with both of the double knit blankets but I also like how my colour change wool has changed again its colour and is starting to get rid of the green shade and bring in a fawn/beige colour.

Onto part 6 ...................................

Mandala Madness - Part 4

Part four of my Mandala Madness has now been completed on all of my three CAL's. There were no new stitches to learn in this part so it was pretty straight forward. It also had the added bonus of one of my favourite stitches to finish off with. The popcorn stitch! I love how this adds texture and interest. Making sure that the blanket isn't all one flat surface. The popcorn stitch is also broken up to match the ruffle sections from part three but is slightly longer as the blanket is growing in size. The double knit versions are now approximately 23 inches across (diameter) and the colour change version is smaller due to the thinner yarn used at approximately 16 inches.

I am still continuing to alternate the contrast colours on the double knit versions and I like how this repetition flows through both. Even though the pink and the greens are different shades, I have tried to match them and complete the same rounds using the black and white as the base colour.

Mandala Madness - Part 3

So I have now managed to finish all three of my Mandala Madness CAL's to the end of part three and I found it really hard to put them down! New stitches were the ruffle stitch (my new favourite along with popcorn) and treble clusters that end up looking like a circle over the two rounds (not my favourite stitch to do).

I think I wasn't that impressed with the treble clusters as I found it a bit tricky carrying the colour behind and making sure that it was neat. It was fine on the colour change version as this wasn't an issue as there was no second colour to carry. Having said that it wasn't my favourite to do, I really like the effect that it has given so wouldn't change it and I did get used to it by the time I had finished the second CAL and was pleased that I had managed it as it was my first time of doing them.

I love the ruffles! They really finish off the part and continue to add texture. They are really easy to do and a great alternative to the popcorns from part one.

Onto part 4 ..............

Mandala Madness - Part 2

Onto part two of the Mandala Madness CAL. There was quite a few new techniques to learn on the first part so I was interested to see how part 2 would go. The treble clusters were really straight forward and similar to the popcorn stitches (but with less stitches) and I am pleased with how the green shows up behind the pink "flower" from the first part. Once the next round was completed, I could see how the shape was starting to change. It was now looking more of an 8 pointed star. I really love the folded trebles that outline the end of CAL for the final round.

I have found that it is starting to get quite addictive and I don't want to put my crochet down. Either one! They are very different to work on as they are being done in the different yarns. The whirl is so much more delicate and I find I have to be careful not to split the yarn. I can also now see the colour is starting to slowly change and get lighter.  The double knit is working really well but I have to keep on top of sewing those ends in every time I change colour (not such an issue with the whirl yarn). I don't want to get to the end and have them all to do.

As I am enjoying doing these I decided to show my Mum what I am up to, especially as she was the one who bought me the Scheepjes whirl yarn and was keen to see what I would do with it. She has fallen in love with the pattern even though I have only done a little of it. I am now doing a version for her. She wanted Stylecraft double knit wool and chose colours that match a quilt she is planning on making.

Part two complete. Onto Part three.