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Mandala Vest - Crochet Along


I start a project, then get an idea, start another project based on my idea, get another idea to start a project, and so on..... ugh. Well, now is the time to finish some of the projects I started a while ago. I started the "Mandala" project in 2018. Finally, I am getting back to it so I can finish it. 

If you ever wanted to crochet a mandala vest (or even mandala rug) below is the first fourteen rows of my pattern plus video tutorial #1 for all wonderful crocheters. This video is for more advanced people, however, my videos are always very detailed, so if you are talented enough you could possibly crochet slowly along. For this lovely project, I used fabulously soft alpaca yarn from the company "MISTI ALPACA". The yarn is soooo soft - it is a pleasure to work with it - I highly recommend it. 

If you want to crochet along with my videos, click on any of the video links (for right-handed or left-handed). 

Occasionally I get questions like this one :


MANDALA VEST PLAYLIST FOR RIGHTIES - CLICK HERE

MANDALA VEST PLAYLIST FOR RIGHTIES - CLICK HERE

LINKS TO INDIVIDUAL VIDEOS - SEE EACH SECTION WITH WRITTEN PATTERN BELOW.

MATERIALS:

  • Misti Alpaca, Tonos Carnaval; Fingering Weight; 50% alpaca, 30% Merino Wool, 10% silk, 10% Nylon; 100g; 437 yds/400 m; 1 skein of each color - Golden (TF67), Sage (TF66), Aqua (TF65), Sacred Orange (TF68), Red Hot (TF03) - 5 colors/5 skeins
  • Crochet Hook: 2.75mm
  • Knitting Needle: 2.25 mm (for bullion stitch)
  • Yarn Needle
  • Scissors


SIZE:

Women US size Medium

Mandala Vest - Click on the image for a bigger photo

ABBREVIATIONS: (the US terminology)

ch - chain
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
st - stitch
sl st - slip stitch
ch1sp - chain one space (or any other number represents the number of chain spaces)
prev - previous
join - join with a slip stitch
shell - 3 dc, ch1, 3 dc
bullion - see video #2 (or how to crochet a "bullion stitch" video for righties is HERE, for lefties HERE)
Puff st - YO, insert hook into a stitch, pull up a long loop, (YO, insert hook into same stitch, pull up a long loop) - 4x (total 5x), YO pull yarn through all 11 loops, close the puff st with a chain st


R - Red Hot color (red)
G - Sage color (green)
B - Aqua color (blue)
Y - Golden color (yellow)
O - Sacred Orange color (orange)


STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS:

VIDEO #1/5 for righties


Red Hot Yarn

Foundation:  ch6, join

Row 1            (R) ch1, 12 sc, join
Row 2            (R) ch3 + ch1, [1 dc, ch1] - repeat 11x, join
Row 3            (R) ch3, bullion st in the same st, skip ch1sp, ch1, [2 bullion sts, skip ch1sp, ch1] - repeat 11x, join (23 bullion sts + ch3)
Row 4            (R) ch3+1, 1 dc in next st, ch1, 1 dc in ch1sp, ch1, [1 dc in next st, ch1, 1 dc in next st, ch1, 1dc in ch1sp, ch1] - repeat to end, join (total 36 dc)

Sage Yarn

Row 5            (G) 1 sc in each st to end, join (72 sts)
Row 6            (G) [1 sc, ch5, skip 2 sts] - repeat to end, join into first sc (total 24 "5-chain" loops)
Row 7-8        (G) 2 sl st in along ch5sp, [1 sc in middle of ch5sp, ch5] - repeat to end, join
Row 9            (G) 2 sl st in along ch5sp, ch3 in middle of ch5sp, 4 dc in same st, [ 5 dc in 3rd st of ch5sp] - repeat to end, join (total 24 "fans" or shells)

Sacred Orange Yarn

Row 10          (O) in 1st st pull yarn to the height of DC, (YO, pull yarn through next st) - 4x, pull yarn through ALL loops on the hook, ch1, then ch5; [in next 1st st of your fan pull yarn to the height of DC, (YO, pull yarn through next st) - 4x; pull yarn through all loops on the hook, ch1; then ch5] - 23x (total 24x)
Row 11           (O) ch3 + ch2, 2 dc into ch5sp, ch2, [1dc in the peak of the st from prev. row, ch2, 2 dc into ch5sp, ch2] - 23x, join
Row 12           (O) 1 sc, ch5, 1 sc between 2 dc from prev row, ch5, [1 sc in dc from prev row, ch5, 1 sc between 2 dc from prev row, ch5] - 23x, join
Row 13-14      (O) 2 sl st along ch5sp, [1 sc in middle of ch5sp, ch5] - repeat to end, join











 


Aqua Yarn

Row 15             (B) ch3, 1 hdc in middle of ch5sp, ch1, [1 hdc in sc from prev. row, ch1, 1 hdc in ch5sp, ch1] - repeat to end, join
Row 16             (B) ch4, then into each hdc from prev. row make *[puff st, ch1, 1 dc, ch1]* - repeat to end, join, (total 48 puff sts, or total 192 sts) 
Row 17             (B) ch3; 1dc into each st - 14x, 2 dc into next st; then *[1dc into each st - 15x, 2 dc into next st]* - repeat to end; join (204 sts total - 12 increases) 
Row 18             (B) ch3; 1 bpdc in each of 2 consecutive sts; *[ch4, skip 3 sts, 1 bpdc in each of 3 consecutive sts] - repeat to end; finish with ch4; join (total 34 ch4sp/34 "clusters of bpdc sts")
Row 19            (B) 1 sc, ch2, skip 1 st, 1 sc in next dc, ch2, 1 sc in ch4sp, ch 2, *[1 sc in next dc, ch2, skip 1 st, 1 sc in next dc, ch2, 1 sc in ch4sp, ch 2]* - repeat to end; finish with ch4; join
Row 20            (B) sl st into ch2sp, in same ch2sp make: (ch3, 2 dc, ch1, 3 dc), skip ch2sp, 1 sc in sc from prev row, skip ch2sp; *[in next ch2sp above "3 dc cluster" make shell, skip ch2sp, 1 sc in sc from prev row, skip ch2sp]* - repeat to end;  Note: instead of working last sc from your repeat (right after your shell stitch) you need to slip stitch into first sc & third chain of ch3 in order to join

Golden Yarn

Row 21            (Y) ch6 (3+3), 2 hdc in ch1sp, ch3, *[1 dc in sc from prev row, ch3, 2 hdc in ch1sp, ch 3]* - repeat to end, join
Row 22            (Y) ch3, 3 dc in ch3sp, bullion st in 2hdc cluster, 3 dc in ch3sp, *[bullion st in dc st from prev row, 3 dc in ch3sp, bullion st in "2hdc cluster", 3 dc in ch3sp]* - repeat to end; join; (total 67 bullion sts + ch3 instead of bullion st)
Row 23            (Y)  sl st into next st, ch3, 1 dc in next 2 consecutive sts, ch 1, skip st, *[1 dc in next 3 sts, ch1, skip st]* - repeat to end, join (272 sts) 
Row 24            (Y) 1 back sc into last ch1sp from prev row, ch5, skip 3 sts, *[1 sc in next ch1sp, ch5, skip 3 sts]* - repeat to end, join
Row 25-26       (Y) sl st into next 2 ch sts, *[1 sc in the middle of ch5sp, ch5]* - repeat to end, join
Row 27            (Y) sl st into ch5sp, in ch5sp make (ch3 + 3 dc), ch1, in next ch5sp make 3 dc, ch1 *[in next ch5sp make 4 dc, ch1, in next ch5sp make 3 dc, ch1]* - repeat to end, join (total 306 sts)














Red Hot Yarn

Row 28            (R) ch3, 1 dc in next 16 sts, 2 dc in next ch1sp, then *[1 hdc iin next 17 sts, 2 dc in next ch1sp]* - repeat to end, add 1 extra dc, then join (total 324 sts)
Row 29            (R) ch3, 1 dc in each of next 49 sts; ch62; 1 dc in each of next 150 sts; ch62; join
Row 30            (R) ch3+1, *[skip 1 st, 1 bpdc in next st, ch1]* - repeat until you reach ch62, then work chain stitches as such: *[skip 1 st, 1dc, ch1]* - repeat until you reach double crochet stitches; then *[skip 1 st, 1 bpdc in next st, ch1]* - repeat until you reach ch62 again; finish row crocheting into chain stitches as such: *[skip 1 st, 1dc, ch1]*;  join
Row 31            (R) ch3, 1 dc in next 24 sts, 2 dc in next st; *[1 dc in next 25 sts, 2 dc in next st]* - repeat 11 more times; then 1 dc in each 12 sts;  join
Row 32            (R) ch5, *[skip 2 sts, 1 sc in next st, ch5]* - repeat to end; join to first st
Row 33-34       (R) sl st to the middle of ch5sp, *[make 1 sc in ch5sp; ch5]* - repeat to end; join

Sage Yarn

Row 35            (G) ch3 in first ch5sp, 2 dc in same ch5sp, 3 dc in next ch5sp, 3 dc in next ch5sp, in next ch5so: 2dc, ch1, 2 dc; *[2 dc in next ch5sp,  3 dc in next ch5sp, 3 dc in next ch5sp, in next ch5so: 2dc, ch1, 2 dc]* - repeat to end; join
Row 36            (G) ch3, 1 dc in each of next 8 sts, skip 2 sts, in ch1sp work: (2dc, ch1, 2 dc); then *[skip 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 9 sts; skip 2 sts, then in ch1sp work: (2dc, ch1, 2 dc)]* - repeat to end; join
Row 37            (G) ch3+1, (skip 1 sts, 1 dc in next st, ch1) - 4x; then skip 2 sts and work into ch1sp: (2dc, ch1, 2 dc, ch1); follow with this repeat: *[skip 2 sts, 1 dc into next st, then (skip 1 sts, 1 dc in next st, ch1) - 4x; then skip 2 sts and work into ch1sp: (2dc, ch1, 2 dc, ch1) ]* - repeat to end; join
Row 38            (G) Note: when making first puff st, pull yarn up to the height of dc; *[Puff st, ch3, skip 3 sts, Puff st, ch3, skip 3 sts, Puff st, ch1, then skip 2 sts and work into ch1sp: (2dc, ch1, 2 dc, ch1), skip 2 sts]* - repeat to end, join
Row 39            (G) ch3, (3 dc into ch3sp, 1 dc into Puff st) - 2x; 1 dc into ch1st, then skip 2 sts and work into ch1sp: (2dc, ch1, 2 dc); then *[1 dc into ch1st; 1 dc into Puff st; (3 dc into ch3sp, 1 dc into Puff st) - 2x; 1 dc into ch1st, then skip 2 sts and work into ch1sp: (2dc, ch1, 2 dc)]* - repeat to end, 1 dc into last ch1sp, join
Row 40            (G) ch3, 1 bpdc into each of next 9 sts, skip 2 sts; 6 dc in ch1sp; skip 2 sts; then continue with repeats as such: *[1 bpd into each of next 11 sts, skip 2 sts; then 6 dc into ch1sp, skip 2 sts]* -
- repeat to end; then make 1 bpdc into last st; join with orange colored yarn
















 Sacred Orange Yarn 

 Row 41            (O) take your hook out of the stitch, and insert hook one st back, pull the yarn through, and continue as such: *[ch5, 1 sc in 3rd st, ch5, 1 sc in 4th st, ch5, 1 sc in 3rd st, ch5, 1 sc in 4th st, ch5, 1 sc in 3rd st]* - repeat to end;  join (Note: I had to start one stitch back because it was originally the first stitch and we need to work with repeats) 
Row 42-43       (O) slip stitch into the center of ch5 space/loop, then: *[ch5, 1 sc in middle of next ch5 space/loop]* - repeat to end; join (total 140 ch5sp/loops) 
Row 44            (O) slip stitch into the center of ch5 space/loop, then: ch3, 2 dc; *[3 dc in next ch5sp]* - repeat to end; join
Row 45            (O) ch3+1, skip 4 sts, in next st: (4 dc, ch2, 4 dc), *[ch1, skip 4 sts, 1 dc in next st, ch 1, skip 4 sts, in next st: (4 dc, ch2, 4 dc)]* - repeat to end; make ch1, join
Row 46            (O) ch3+1, 1 dc in same st, ch1, in ch2sp: (4 dc, ch2, 4 dc), ch1, *[in dc from prev row: (1 dc, ch1, 1dc); ch 1; in ch2sp: (4 dc, ch2, 4 dc), ch1]* - repeat to end; join
Row 47            (O) in first ch1sp: (ch3, 5 dc); then in each shell stitch make 1 bpdc - 8x; *[6 dc in ch1sp;  in each shell stitch make 1 bpdc - 8x]*; - repeat to end; join (42 shells/6dc clusters = 588 sts)

Aqua Yarn

Row 48            (B) ch3+1, skip 1 st, 1 dc in next st, ch1, *[skip 1 st, 1 dc in next st, ch1]* - repeat to end; join
Row 49            (B) sl st into ch1sp; ch3, 1 dc in same ch1sp; *[make 2 dc in each ch1sp]* - repeat to end; join
Row 50            (B) ch3+1, skip 1 st, 1 bpdc in next st, ch1, *[skip 1 st, 1 bpdc in next st, ch1]* - repeat to end; join
Row 51            (B) sl st into ch1sp; ch3, 1 dc in same ch1sp; *[make 2 dc in each ch1sp]* - repeat to end; join
Row 52            (B) ch3+1, skip 1 st, 1 bpdc in next st, ch1, *[skip 1 st, 1 bpdc in next st, ch1]* - repeat to end; join
Row 53            (B) Note: this is our increase row: sl st into ch1sp; ch3, 1 dc in same ch1sp; *(make 2 dc into each ch1sp)* - 13x; then *[make 3 dc into next st; (make 2 sc into each ch1sp) - 14x]* - repeat; then 11 spaces before the end: make 3 dc into next ch1sp; (make 2 sc into each ch1sp) - 9x; finish with 3 dc into last ch1sp; join
Row 54            (B) ch3+1, skip 1 st, 1 dc in next st, ch1, *[skip 1 st, 1 dc in next st, ch1]* - repeat to end; join











Golden Yarn

Row 55            (Y) ch3, YO, insert hook into same st, pull yarn up, YO, hook into ch1sp,  pull yarn up, YO, hook into next st,  pull yarn up, then pull yarn through 6 loops, then through 2 loops, ch1; *[YO, insert hook into prev st, pull yarn up, YO, hook into ch1sp,  pull yarn up, YO, hook into next st,  pull yarn up, then pull yarn through 6 loops, then through 2 loops, ch1]* - repeat to end;  join
Row 56            (Y) sl. st. into ch1sp, ch3, 1 dc in same ch1sp, ch2; *[skip next ch1sp; 2dc in next ch1sp, ch2]* - repeat to end, join (Note: last 2 dc will be right next to first 2 dc, but will be separated with ch2)
Row 57            (Y) sl. st. into ch2sp, ch3, 1 dc in same ch2sp, ch2; *[skip next 2 sts; 2dc in next ch2sp, ch2]* - repeat to end, join
Row 58            (Y) sl. st. into ch2sp and make: (ch3, 1 dc, ch1, 2 dc), then *[ch2; (2dc in next ch2sp, ch2) - repeat 3x; in next (4th) ch2sp make (2 dc, ch1, 2 dc)]* - repeat from * to * until last repeat; then ch2; (2 dc in next ch2sp, ch2) - 4x; join
Row 59            (Y) sl. st. into ch1sp and make: (ch3, 2 dc, ch1, 3 dc), *[(2dc in next ch2sp, ch2) - repeat 3x; 2dc in next ch2sp, in next ch1sp make (3 dc, ch1, 3dc)]* - repeat from * to * until last repeat; then (2 dc in next ch2sp, ch2) - 4x; 2 dc in last ch2sp; join
Row 60            (Y) sl. st. into ch1sp and make: (ch3, 2 dc, ch1, 3 dc), then *[ch2; (2dc in next ch2sp, ch2) - repeat 3x; in next (4th) ch1sp make (3 dc, ch1, 3 dc)]* - repeat from * to * until last repeat; then ch2; (2 dc in next ch2sp, ch2) - 4x; join

Finishing:
Crochet one row of single crochet stitches around the armhole and weave in the tails.


Copyright:

You may not sell my written pattern to anyone, and you may not publish it as your own.
However, you may sell a finished product made by you. Don't forget to give me a credit.

Thank you.
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Note: Most of the time I work as fast as I can to keep up with knitting and crocheting requests. I have to videotape, edit videos, then convert them & upload them to my channel. After that often I post on my blog patterns. I answer many questions, which means that often I work up to 16 hours a day. I would tremendously appreciate IF anyone of you who finds an error in the written pattern, so please, let me know - where (what rows) and what may be the problem. Many future knitters & crocheters from our artsy and crafty virtual world will thank you for your good deed, including myself.