Friday 20 February 2015

Magic Carpet Mandala Blanket

Last week I finished a project I've been working on for nearly a year. I think I have to say that it's been the most enjoyable crochet item I've ever worked on, EVER. I've just loved the challenge, and whilst I love the therapeutic repetitive nature of some projects (the poncho in the previous post, for instance), I also appreciate projects when you're always learning something new and every round is different! There is such an immense amount of satisfaction at each stage.

The 'Magic Carpet Ride' Mandala Blanket was designed by the incredibly clever and talented Toni of Just Dunny Crochet. I've never tried to design a crochet pattern, but I'm sure even if I did, I could only DREAM of ever being able to come up with something like this. I think she's probably a genius, actually :-) Seriously, go and look at Toni's beautiful blanket designs- they will blow your mind.

This being an untested and unproven pattern, Angela from Get Knotted Yarn Craft and Martha from Martha's World of Crocheted Critters decided to set it up as a CAL ('Crochet A-Long') last April with members of the Creative Crochet Crew group on Facebook, with the aim of eventually coming up with a fully tested pattern using Toni's extensive notes, to eventually go on her blog and on Ravelry. Check out Martha's Magic Carpet journey too!

After a few weeks they invited me on board to help lead the CAL- something about my nerdy reputation for being able to spot mistakes in patterns and my attention to detail, I think. Or something. Anyway, I chipped in with my penn'uth every now and then, but I have to admit it was really Angela and Martha who did most of the hard work...

For my version I used good old Stylecraft Special DK, in a range of colours, very much with RED ('lipstick') as a theme, like Toni's original. One of my favourite parts of the blanket is the central mandala. The 16 little medallions around the edge were all worked and attached individually. A lot of work but SO worth it!



The aim of the pattern from here was to go from a circle to a square, via an octagon and 4 corners...

....then some piano keys, some crashing waves and a sunburst....

Until eventually the central square panel was done.

The magic word for me when making this blanket was to block, block, block. After each stage I blocked religiously before going on to the next bit. It really has helped to keep it square and now it's finished it has been so worth it as it sits flat and the corners are pretty much square.

The central panel is as far as the written proven pattern has gone, and it's now published in Toni's blog, if you want to make a start on making your own magic carpet!

The remainder of the pattern was adding two end panels with 8 large medallions on each side,

and crocheting around the lot to make a very large rectangle. These end panels will be added to the proven pattern in due course.

Here is the end result of my Magic Carpet blanket. I absolutely love how it turned out. It's got so big now (perhaps single bedspread size?) as you can imagine it's hard to photograph by a mere mortal. Hubby came to the rescue with his pro camera, photographic studio and expertise. But I still don't have a clue about where it will go in the house..... Hmm! Perhaps I'll have to redecorate a room to match...