Four Mandala Fun

Four Mandala Fun Crochet Blanket Pattern

Project Overview

Four Mandala Fun is a beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern designed by Susan Kennedy of Pretty Peaceful. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished blanket measuring 47 by 66 inches (119 by 168 centimeters), making it an ideal size for a throw blanket or lap blanket. The pattern is free and suitable for crocheters new to the craft who want to create a substantial, colorful finished piece.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a crochet blanket that showcases the beautiful self-striping properties of specialty yarn. The blanket is designed to take advantage of the natural color transitions that occur when working with Lion Brand Mandala, Mandala Baby, or Cupcake yarn cakes. The finished blanket features symmetrical color placement, with the sample version using two cakes of Lion Brand Mandala in the Nifflers colorway for the center section and two cakes in the Narnia colorway positioned one at each end.

Yarn Requirements and Materials

This project requires 4 cakes of dk weight yarn, totaling 2,360 yards (2,160 meters). The sample blanket uses Lion Brand Mandala yarn, which is 100% acrylic with 590 yards (450 meters per 150-gram cake). The pattern is compatible with Lion Brand Mandala, Mandala Baby, or Cupcake yarn, all of which are dk weight (light, category 3). The self-striping nature of these yarns means that color changes happen automatically as you work, eliminating the need for manual color changes or yarn cutting.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

The Four Mandala Fun pattern employs a straightforward approach to color management that makes it ideal for beginners. Rather than requiring crocheters to cut yarn or carefully control color placement, the pattern encourages working with the natural flow of the self-striping yarn. The design allows you to add the second cake of yarn whenever the first one runs out, simply continuing with the same color where the previous cake ended. This "go with the flow" approach removes technical complexity while still achieving a beautifully symmetrical finished blanket.

For those who prefer more control over color placement, the pattern includes optional instructions for cutting yarn to ensure that no rows contain color changes in the middle of the blanket. This flexibility allows crocheters to customize their blanket based on their skill level and preferences.

Yarn Weight and Gauge Considerations

The pattern uses dk weight yarn (light, category 3), which is a versatile weight that works up at a moderate pace. This weight is ideal for creating blankets that are neither too heavy nor too delicate, making it suitable for year-round use. The dk weight combined with the beginner difficulty level ensures that the project progresses at an encouraging pace while still creating a substantial finished piece.

Pattern Format and Designer Information

Four Mandala Fun is available as a free, downloadable PDF pattern created by independent designer Susan Kennedy, who operates Pretty Peaceful. The designer provides additional resources including video tutorials on the Pretty Peaceful YouTube channel, making this pattern particularly accessible for beginners who benefit from visual instruction. The pattern is also promoted through Pretty Peaceful on Facebook and the @prettypeacefulcrochet Instagram account.