A crochet mandala is one of the most satisfying things you can make with a hook. Every round grows out of the one before it, the colours stack up like rings in a tree, and in a single evening you can go from a tiny magic ring to a round of lace big enough to frame. Stitch it into a wooden hoop and you have a crochet wall hanging that looks like it took far longer than it did.
This free crochet mandala pattern is written in UK terms and uses only chains, double crochet and trebles. It has eight rounds with exact stitch counts, a size and yarn chart for different weights, and full steps to turn the finished piece into a mandala wall hanging in a hoop.
Quick answer: To crochet a mandala, work 12 trebles into a magic ring, double them to 24, then alternate solid and lace rounds: 24 trebles with 1-chain spaces, 48 trebles, 24 chain loops, 24 shells, 24 five-chain loops and a picot edge. In DK cotton with a 4mm hook it measures about 22cm and fits a 25cm hoop for a wall hanging.
What you need for this crochet mandala
| Item | What to use |
|---|---|
| Yarn | DK cotton or cotton blend in 3 to 5 colours, about 40 to 50g in total |
| Hook | 4mm (UK 8, US G-6) |
| Hoop | A wooden embroidery hoop or metal macramé ring about 25cm across |
| Extras | Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker, spare yarn for tying to the hoop |
Cotton is the best choice for a crochet mandala that will hang on a wall. It shows every stitch clearly, holds its shape after blocking and does not go fuzzy. Acrylic works too, but it is springier, so the lace rounds will not sit quite as flat.
Abbreviations (UK terms)
- ch chain
- ss slip stitch
- dc double crochet (US single crochet)
- tr treble (US double crochet)
- sp space
- MR magic ring
If you are new to working in the round, the magic ring and the treble are both covered step by step in our crochet granny square tutorial, which is a great warm-up for this pattern.
Free crochet mandala pattern: 8 rounds
Change colour at the start of any round you like. A simple rule that always looks good is to change colour every one or two rounds and finish with the colour you used in the centre.
Round 1
Make a MR. 3 ch (counts as the first tr), 11 tr into the ring. Pull the ring closed and ss to the top of the 3 ch. (12 stitches)
Round 2
3 ch (counts as tr), 1 tr in the same stitch, 2 tr in every stitch around. Ss to the top of the 3 ch. (24 stitches)
Round 3
4 ch (counts as 1 tr and 1 ch), [1 tr in the next stitch, 1 ch] around. Ss to the 3rd ch of the 4 ch. (24 trebles and 24 chain spaces)
This open round is what gives the crochet mandala its sunburst look, so keep the chains loose and even.
Round 4
Ss into the first ch-sp. 3 ch (counts as tr), 1 tr in the same sp, 2 tr in every ch-sp around. Ss to the top of the 3 ch. (48 stitches)
Round 5
1 ch, 1 dc in the first stitch, 3 ch, skip 1 stitch, [1 dc in the next stitch, 3 ch, skip 1 stitch] around. Ss to the first dc. (24 chain loops)
Round 6
Ss into the first 3-ch loop. 3 ch (counts as tr), 1 tr, 1 ch, 2 tr in the same loop. [2 tr, 1 ch, 2 tr] in every loop around. Ss to the top of the 3 ch. (24 shells)
Round 7
Ss along to the ch-sp in the middle of the first shell. 1 ch, 1 dc in that sp, 5 ch, [1 dc in the ch-sp of the next shell, 5 ch] around. Ss to the first dc. (24 five-chain loops)
Round 8: picot edge
In every 5-ch loop work [3 dc, 3 ch, ss into the 3rd ch from the hook to make a picot, 3 dc]. Ss to the first dc and fasten off. (24 picot scallops)
Weave in every end on the back, working each tail through stitches of the same colour so nothing shows on the front. Your crochet mandala now measures about 22cm across in DK cotton.
Crochet mandala size and yarn chart
The same eight rounds give a very different size depending on the yarn. These figures are estimates for an average tension, so measure your own piece before buying a hoop.
| Yarn | Hook | Approx. diameter | Approx. yarn | Hoop size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ply cotton | 3mm | 17cm | 25g | 20cm |
| DK cotton | 4mm | 22cm | 45g | 25cm |
| Aran cotton | 5mm | 27cm | 70g | 30cm |
| Chunky | 8mm | 38cm | 150g | 40 to 45cm |
For a bigger mandala wall hanging, repeat Rounds 3 to 8 in bands of colour. Before each repeat, check the stitch count: as long as you have a multiple of 24, the shells and loops will line up.
How to turn your crochet mandala into a wall hanging
Choose a hoop 2 to 4cm wider than your mandala. The gap lets you stretch the lace slightly so it sits flat and the picots form a neat star of spokes.
- Block first. Wet the mandala, squeeze out the water in a towel and pin it flat on a foam mat or ironing board, pulling each picot out evenly. Leave it to dry completely.
- Wrap the hoop (optional). Wrap the inner ring of a wooden hoop tightly with yarn, gluing the ends with a dot of fabric glue. This hides the wood and gives you something to stitch into.
- Tie on four points. Using a long piece of yarn, tie the picot at 12 o’clock to the hoop, then 6, 3 and 9 o’clock. This centres the mandala before you fill in the rest.
- Tie the remaining picots. Work around, tying or whipstitching each picot to the hoop with the same tension. Opposite sides should always be pulled the same amount.
- Add a hanger. Tie a loop of yarn or ribbon to the top of the hoop, or hang it straight from the screw of an embroidery hoop.
Three ways to style a mandala wall hanging
- Boho fringe: cut 20cm lengths of yarn, fold them in half and knot them along the bottom of the hoop for a dream catcher look.
- Floating mandala: skip the hoop and pin the blocked mandala straight onto a canvas or cork board.
- Mandala cluster: make three in different sizes from the chart above and hang them together for a statement wall.
Small mandalas in 4 ply cotton also make lovely coasters, and you can stitch a few of our crochet flowers around the hoop for a spring version.
Colour ideas for your crochet mandala
Because every round is a ring, colour choice makes a huge difference. Some combinations that work well:
- Sunset: mustard centre, then orange, coral, pink and cream.
- Ocean: white centre, then pale aqua, teal and navy.
- Neutral boho: cream, oatmeal, terracotta and a cream picot edge.
- Rainbow: one colour per round in rainbow order, ideal for a nursery.
- Winter white: all white or silver for a festive mandala that looks like a giant snowflake.
If you like that last idea, our crochet snowflake patterns use the same round-by-round method in a smaller size.
Common crochet mandala problems and how to fix them
My mandala is curling up like a bowl
You have too few stitches for the size of the round, or you are crocheting more tightly than in the earlier rounds. Count each round against the numbers above, and try going up half a hook size for the lace rounds.
My mandala is wavy and ruffled
There are too many stitches, or your chains are too long. Check Round 4 has exactly 48 stitches and that you are skipping one stitch in Round 5.
The joins make a visible line
That is normal with joined rounds. Move the start of each round a little to the side, or start new colours with a standing stitch instead of 3 ch, and the seam will almost disappear.
The mandala looks uneven in the hoop
Untie the side that looks pulled, tighten the opposite side, and always attach the four main points first. Blocking before you hoop it fixes most problems.
Tips for a neat crochet mandala
- Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you never miss the join.
- Count stitches at the end of every round; a mistake in Round 2 becomes a big problem by Round 8.
- Use a smaller hook for the solid rounds and a slightly larger one for the lace rounds if your tension is tight.
- Steam or wet block every mandala; it is the step that turns a homemade piece into one that looks shop bought.
- Keep leftover yarn for matching coasters or a crochet basket in the same colours.
Ready to start your crochet mandala?
Pick three or four colours you love, a 4mm hook and some DK cotton, and work the first four rounds tonight. By the weekend you can have a finished crochet mandala blocked and tied into a hoop, ready to hang. If you make one, try the size chart to plan a second in a different yarn and hang them together as a set.
Frequently asked questions about crochet mandalas
Is a crochet mandala good for beginners?
Yes. This crochet mandala pattern only uses chains, double crochet and trebles, and every round has a stitch count so you can check your work as you go.
How much yarn do I need for a crochet mandala?
About 40 to 50g of DK cotton in total for a mandala around 22cm across. Each colour round only uses a few grams, so it is perfect for scraps.
What size hoop do I need for a mandala wall hanging?
Choose a hoop 2 to 4cm wider than the blocked mandala. For the DK version of this pattern, a 25cm hoop works well.
How long does it take to crochet a mandala?
The eight rounds take about 2 to 3 hours in DK cotton, plus about 30 minutes to block it and tie it into the hoop.
Is this crochet mandala pattern in UK or US terms?
It is written in UK terms. In US terms, tr is double crochet (dc) and dc is single crochet (sc).
