Get ready to embark on a colorful crochet adventure with this stunning Mandala Granny Square pattern!
This intermediate-level project creates a gorgeous 4-inch square that's perfect for brightening up your home. Whether you're planning to make a dazzling blanket, unique coasters, or eye-catching wall art, these squares are sure to add a splash of joy to any space.
Ready to dive in? I'll guide you through each step with easy-to-follow instructions and helpful diagrams. Let's grab our hooks and yarn, and create some mandala magic together!
Pin for Later
Excited to start? Pin this pattern now so you can come back to it whenever inspiration strikes!
Recommended Yarn and Crochet Hooks
Let's talk about the fun part - choosing your yarn and hooks for this gorgeous Mandala Granny Square project!
For yarn, I absolutely love using Loopara milk cotton yarn for these squares. It's super soft, has a beautiful sheen, and comes in a rainbow of vibrant colors that really make the mandala pattern pop! Plus, it's gentle on your hands as you work, which is always a bonus during longer crochet sessions.
Now, for colors, let your creativity run wild! I recommend picking 5-6 different shades that complement each other. Think about creating a gradient effect or going for bold contrasts - both look amazing in this pattern. Some of my favorite combos are pastels with soft pink, baby blue, mint green, lavender, and cream; or a tropical vibe with sunny yellow, coral, turquoise, lime green, and hot pink. For an earthy feel, try rust, olive green, mustard, deep teal, and warm brown.
As for hooks, we're using a 2.3mm hook for this project. This size works perfectly with the Loopara yarn to create tight, neat stitches that really show off the intricate mandala design. If you tend to crochet tightly, you might want to go up to a 2.5mm, while loose crocheters might prefer a 2mm.
Remember, granny squares are awesome because you can mix and match colors for each round. So don't be afraid to experiment and make each square unique!
Materials needed for Mandala Granny Square
- Yarn – Loopara 4ply combed cotton (Green 12, Green 24, Blue 32, Yellow 43, Orange 50, and Pink 58)
- Hook – 2.3mm
- Stitch Marker
- Scissors
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- Magic ring
- ch - chain
- sc - single crochet
- dc - double crochet
- tr - treble crochet
- hdc - half double crochet
- sl - slip stitch
- PC - popcorn stitch
- wsl - working slip stitch
- sc2tog - single crochet 2 together
How to Crochet a Mandala Granny Square – Step by Step
Round 1: Make a magic ring, chain 3, (work popcorn stitch, chain 2) 6 times, slip stitch to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Round 2: Join new color, chain 3, (work 5 double crochet, working slip stitch) 6 times, slip stitch to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Round 3: Join new color, (chain 8, slip stitch) 6 times, slip stitch to join, chain 1.
Round 4: (Work 13 single crochet) 6 times, slip stitch to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Round 5: Join new color, chain 1, (single crochet, chain 6, single crochet 2 together, chain 6) 6 times, slip stitch to join, chain 1.
Round 6: Chain 1, (work 9 single crochet) 12 times, slip stitch to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Round 7: Join new color, chain 1, (single crochet, chain 4, 2 treble crochet, chain 3, 2 treble crochet, chain 4, single crochet, chain 6) 4 times, slip stitch to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Round 8: Join new color, [(chain 2, half double crochet), (5 half double crochet), 2 half double crochet, (2 half double crochet, chain 2, 2 half double crochet) 2 half double crochet, (5 half double crochet), half double crochet, (7 half double crochet)] 4 times, slip stitch to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Tips: Remember to block your finished square for best results, especially to help the intricate pattern lay flat. Use stitch markers to keep track of your rounds and sections, particularly in the later rounds. Choose colors that complement each other for a striking mandala effect.
How to Join Granny Squares
Granny squares are perfect for bags, clothing, and blankets. If you're thinking of making one with those squares, I'm excited to share my comprehensive guide on 11 Ways to Join Granny Squares with you! I've detailed every method I know and love - each brings its own special touch to your finished piece. Let me help you discover which one works best for you!
How to Change Colors in a Granny Square
Are you looking for a different color palette? I totally get it—it’s why I love crochet! If you’re not crazy about our color palette, I put together two color-changing techniques that I use for all of my projects. Let me show you how to make these color transitions smooth and professional so you can bring your unique, creative vision to life.
How to Weave in Ends Crochet Granny Square
The secret for professional-looking granny squares is all about how you weave in those ends. I'm sharing 3 ways to weave in ends with you! These are techniques I've perfected over years of crocheting and use in all my projects. I'll show you exactly how I secure my ends to make sturdy, polished pieces that last. Trust me, once you master these finishing methods, your granny squares will look absolutely stunning!
Care instructions
Congrats on creating your gorgeous mandala granny square! Now that you've put all that love and effort into making it, let's talk about how to keep it looking fabulous for years to come.
First up, washing. I know it's tempting to just toss it in the machine, but trust me, hand washing is the way to go here. Use cool water and a gentle detergent made for delicates. Give it a little swish – no rough handling! – then rinse until the water runs clear. Never wring it out; instead, gently squeeze out excess water and lay it flat to dry. If you absolutely must use a machine, pop it in a mesh bag on the delicate cycle.
When it comes to storage, think gentle and dry. Fold your square loosely (no hard creases) and tuck it away in a drawer or box. If you're stashing it for a while, consider wrapping it in acid-free tissue paper first. And keep it away from direct sunlight when stored – those beautiful colors don't need a tan!
Speaking of colors, to keep them vibrant, wash your square only when necessary. A little spot cleaning can go a long way. If you're joining squares for a bigger project, try to clean them all at once to keep the colors aging evenly.
To maintain that perfect shape, blocking is your best friend. After washing (or if it just needs a refresh), pin it out on a blocking board while damp, making sure all edges are straight and corners are crisp. Let it dry completely before unpinning.
With a little TLC, your mandala granny square will stay as beautiful as the day you finished it.
What’s Next?
Crochet lovers, isn't this mandala granny square absolutely stunning? Share this tutorial on your Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter and spread the joy of crochet! Your friends might discover a new passion, or experienced crocheters could find fresh inspiration. Every share helps our crafting community grow. Let's weave a web of creativity together - your next share could spark someone's crochet journey!
