Time for the Corners!

 

My Mandala has grown and it's been an absolute blast. I do love this pattern!

For a while I was attempting to 'crochet in my ends' as I started a new row. However, with this pattern, a lot of the stitches are crocheted into the back bars of the previous row. So, when you come across the ends that have already been woven in... it gets a bit tricky. Well, it gets crowded.

So, I recommend waiting until you've done a few rows before weaving in those ends. Basically, don't crochet in your ends as you go, tempting and time-saving as it is. The Floral Paradise Mandala Afghan is a lot of work so, better to make it look nice and take your time.

Having said that... my stitches are a bit tight in places. But, importantly, I love watching it grow! Above is a closer look at all the cool stitches. (I had only finished the flower chain and a few zigzag rows at this point).

Thanks Annie's Kit Clubs for the great design. I'm finished the 5th kit and I'm starting the 6th. Corners! #phew

ANNIE'S KIT CLUBS - MANDALA AFGHAN "FLORAL PARADISE"

 

I'm just loving this crochet kit from Annie's Kit Clubs. I'm motoring along. Here's my little review so far. Above is kit 1 and most of kit 2 finished! Loooove the colours. The pattern has many new cute stitches like the shell stitch, the bean stitch and the star stitch. It's just so fun. And the 100% acrylic yarn, which is anti-pilling, is great to crochet with. Smooth but not slippery. So great. The pattern goes from using a 5mm hook to a 5.5mm hook. 

The start of kit 3 is flowers! As the pattern says, I've attach them to each other as I go. The pattern and video instructions do a 4 chain to start, but I'm just using a magic ring. Also, I am absolutely stitching in the ends as I go, not weaving them in after each flower, as they suggest. I'd say the pattern is intermediate.

The flower chain is separate until I'm finished all 36 of them. Then, with the white (linen colour) you attach the chain to your mandala. Even then, I'm only 1/3 of the way! It was an X-mas gift to myself so, I'm actually happy with how fast it's going. 

p.s.

The pattern calls for me to crochet into the BACK BARS a lot, so I'm not weaving in my row ends right away. That way, the back bars are easier to find.