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Guest Post Written by Tamara Kelly of Moogly
When I got the offer to play with Red Heart Vivid, I was super excited! It’s an amazingly bright and bold yarn, and I hadn’t had a chance to get my hands on any yet. When it arrived, I was even more thrilled with how soft and squishy it was. Super bulky yarns are some of my favorites, and I immediately knew that these 10 skeins needed to become something special.
The eye-catching neon crochet colors of Vivid are fun and contemporary, and mandala rugs are beautiful and timeless – so to my mind a mandala rug in Vivid seemed to be the perfect playful combo! Within the week I’d designed the Shocking Mandala Rug. Each row of the pattern is different, so you won’t get bored crocheting it. But the stitches used are easy, and it’s so fun to see the pattern grow and change!
The Shocking Mandala Rug is perfect for kid’s spaces, and anywhere you want a bright pop of color; it’s a great home decor piece. My 6 and 7 year old boys had claimed it when I was only a few rows in! Every hour or so they’d come ask if it was done yet, and every time I put it down I’d come back to find one of them cuddled up with it on the couch. It’s been hugged, laid on, and squabbled over…and a fair bit of it was frogged and re-worked as I worked up the finished design. Yet the Vivid stood up to them (and me!) and looked brand new the whole time. Now that it’s finished it’ll live in our playroom as a welcome burst of color – and a comfy cozy spot for kids to hang out! The only trick will be getting them to share!
This pattern is made with 10 skeins of Red Heart Vivid. I used 5 skeins of Electric Blue and 5 skeins of Glowing Green, with just a little bit of each color left over when I was done. The super bulky yarn means you can have a finished rug in only 15 rows – love that! A couple tips: it’s important to keep your stitches loose and hand relaxed . Working with super bulky yarns can feel a little different than working with smaller yarns, but it’s not necessarily any more difficult. Make sure to pull each stitch up to the proper height and you’ll have a project you’ll love before you know it.
The Shocking Mandala Rug is 42 inches across, and absolutely luxurious underfoot. Capturing the color on camera was tricky – it’s super florescent! If you want a smaller rug, it’s easy to stop at any point in the pattern and go to the instructions for the last two rows to finish it off. The spiky pattern compliments the electric neon colors, and the big bold stitches make for a real statement. You can keep it bold with Vivid or use softer colors for a whole different look. But I do love these neon colors – as do my boys!
Materials:
- Red Heart® Vivid:10 skeins total
- 5 skeins Electric Blue (Color A)
- 5 skeins Glowing Green shown (Color B)
- Crochet Hook: US-Q, 15mm or 16mm
- Large Plastic Yarn Needle
NOTE: Starting in Round 2 with the introduction of Color B, crochet over the unused color, holding it behind the row at the bottom and enclosing it in each stitch, carrying it along until it is called for again.
Instructions:
Round 1: Using Color A, ch 6 and join to the first ch with a sl st to form a ring. Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), dc 12 in the ring. Join to the first dc with a sl st. (12 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, dc2tog over the first and second sts, finishing the st with Color B. Work 3 dc between the posts of the previous st and the next st, finishing the last st with Color A. *Dc2tog, finishing st with Color B. Work 3 dc between posts of previous and next st, finishing last st with Color A. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to the top of the first dc2tog. (24 sts)
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in the first st (the top of the dc2tog), finishing the st with Color B. Skip the next st, work 5 dc in the next st, finishing the last st with Color A. Skip the next st. *Sc in the next st, finishing the st with Color B. Skip the next st, work 5 dc in the next st, finishing the last st with Color A. Skip the next st. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to the top of the first st. (36 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, (2 dc finishing last st with Color B, 2 dc finishing last st with Color A, 2 dc finishing last st with Color B) in the first st. Skip the next 2 sts, sc in the next st, finishing with Color A. *(2 dc finishing last st with Color B, 2 dc finishing last st with Color A, 2 dc finishing last st with Color B) in the next st, skip the next 2 sts, sc in the next st finishing with Color A. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to the top of the first st. (42 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, work 2 dc in the first st, then 2 dc in the next st finishing last st with Color B. Dc2tog finishing st with Color A. Work 2 dc in the next st, then 2 dc in the next st, finishing last st with Color B. Dc in next st, finishing with Color A. *Work 2 dc in the next st, then 2 dc in the next st finishing last st with Color B. Dc2tog finishing st with Color A. Work 2 dc in the next st, then 2 dc in the next st, finishing last st with Color B. Dc in next st, finishing with Color A. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to the top of the first st. (60 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *dc between the the posts of the next and the following st. Ch 1, skip the next 2 sts, 2 dc between the posts of the previous and next st, finishing the last st with Color B. Skip the next st, sc in the next st finishing with Color A. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to the top of the first st. (72 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, dc2tog in the first two sts finishing with Color B. Work 3 dc in the ch sp finishing the last st with Color A. Dc2tog finishing with Color B. Work 3 dc in the next st finishing with Color A. *Dc2tog finishing with Color B. Work 3 dc in the ch sp finishing the last st with Color A. Dc2tog finishing with Color B. Work 3 dc in the next st finishing with Color A. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to the top of the first st. (96 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2, dc in the first st finishing with Color B. Dc in the next 3 sts finishing last st with Color A. *Dc in the next st finishing with Color B, dc in the next 3 sts finishing last st with Color A. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to the top of the first st. (96 sts)
Round 9: Ch 1, sc in the first st finishing with Color B. Skip the next st, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st finishing last st with Color A. Skip the next st. *Sc in the first st finishing with Color B. Skip the next st, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st finishing last st with Color A. Skip the next st. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to the top of the first st. (144 sts)
Round 10: Ch 1, sc in the first st finishing with Color B. Skip the next 2 sts, work 5 dc in the ch sp finishing last st with Color A. Skip the next 2 sts. *Sc in the next st finishing with Color B. Skip the next 2 sts, work 5 dc in the ch sp finishing last st with Color A. Skip the next 2 sts. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to the top of the first st. (144 sts)
Round 11: Ch 2, work 3 sc in the first st finishing last st with Color B. *Skip the next 2 sts, sc in the next st finishing with Color A. Skip the next 2 sts, work 5 dc in the next st finishing with Color B. Repeat from * ending with 2 dc in Color A worked in the same st as the first 3 sts of the round. Join with a sl st to the top of the first st. (144 sts)
Round 12: Ch 2, dc in the first st, dc in the next 2 sts finishing the last st with Color B. *Work 2 dc in the next st finishing the last st with Color A. Dc in the next 5 sts finishing the last st with Color B. Repeat from * until 2 sts remain. Dc in the last 2 sts with Color A, join with a sl st to the top of the first st. (168 sts)
Round 13: Ch 2, work 2 dc in the first st finishing last st with Color B. Skip the next 2 sts, *2 dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st finishing the last st with Color A. Skip the next 2 sts, work 3 dc in the next st finishing the last st with Color B. Skip the next 2 sts. Repeat from * ending with a dc in the same st as the first st of the round. Join with a sl st to the top of the first st using Color B. (168 sts)
Round 14: Leaving Color A behind and no longer enclosing it, use Color B to sl st in the FLO of each st around. Break Color B and seamless join to the first sl st of the round. (168 sts)
Round 15: Pick up Color A and sl st in the FLO of each st of Round 13 behind the sts of Round 14. Break Color A and seamless join to the first sl st of the round. (168 sts)
Abbreviations:
ch = chain; sl st = slip stitch; dc = double crochet; dc2tog = double crochet decrease; sc = single crochet; st(s) = stitch(es); FLO = front loop only; ( ) = work directions in parentheses into specified st or sp; * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated.
Win some of the yarn to make this rug! Contest runs July 3 – July 17, 2013.
AllFreeCrochet
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WOW !! Tamera!! I love this rug!!!
Thank so much Mary! It was a lot of fun to make!
Thank you for sharing. I like working with bulky yarns too.
I love the colours and pattern! Perfect for boys!
Wow that is amazing! Is there any chance you could show a picture of the underside?
Hi Hollie! Sorry I’m just now seeing this! The underside looks very similar to the top, with just a bit of pattern “blur” from the color switching. That, and you can’t see the bi-color edge!
I’ve been looking for a rug pattern that had an interesting look. I have the yarn and will start this great rug this evening. Thanks so much for the pattern… and it’s free too. wow
Absolutely LOVE it…great colors and pattern! THANK YOU!
LOVE the blue and green together! Definitely would love this in my “blue” bathroom. I live in a circa 1960’s apt. 🙂
Really, perfect for boys? I forgot only boys can enjoy blue and green. Its a very nice pattern though.
I made it for my boys – so I had them in mind as I designed it. But of course we all enjoy it here!
When I first saw it I thought, what a new kitchen rug this would make! It looks like spoons!
That should have said “neat”, not “new”. LOL!
my grandson just saw the picture and said wow you can make that for me, great to love it when they feel you can do anything just have to find the time to do it
I have been looking for a nice rug pattern and this is definitely it. Thanks.
I wanted to make this beautiful mandala rug and it said to click on the link below-there was NO link below to click and when I tried to print it out from the instructions above,the print was too light to read. Sad. It is so beautiful.
Highlight what you want printed and then right click on your mouse. One of the options in the box is C0PY. Click on copy and minimize your screen. Open your Word program and Click on Paste. The pattern will transfer to an empty page.
I love this! What a beautiful rug made with such happy colors! Awesome!
This rug looks great and I desperately want to make one for our new bedroom but other than Amazon, who do not have much in stock, I cannot find a supplier in England. Can anyone help me, thanks.
Looks like a fascinating project. Can not wait to start it, using all those left over bulky yarn that I have all rolled up in little balls. Thank you for giving us your pattern. Will be making this often, since it looks like a great gift to send out to friends and family.
Copy text into a word document. Alter the text to darker or larger. Save and print.
How big is it finished? I’d like to make a big floor rug for my lounge room.
Hi Naomi! It’s 42 inches across at it’s widest.
I love this rug! The colors are beautiful!
Wow!!! So Beautiful!!! You really did a great rug!!!! I’m more of a beginner, learning from web videos. Do you think it would work if I did a practice piece with a smaller hook and regular yarn first? I really struggle with understanding written patterns.
La Dell absolutely! That would be a great way to practice!
When I print out the pattern, it comes out so light, can’t even read it. What’s up? I’ve gone thru pages & pages of paper trying.
I really love this! I’ve seen lots of mandalas in thread and, although they are lovely, they aren’t really functional. This is beautiful AND useful. I can’t wait to make it!
Amazing
I just love it!
It is the easiest pattern for A Rug that I have seen Thank you! Belinda
I think this rug will look great in my Sunroom. Love it
I would love to make this rug. I would love very much to win the yarn to make it.
I love this rug, it would be great to have some yarn to help make it!
I love the mandala and this crocheted one is gorgeous. I’d love to wim some yarn, too!
This is my next project!
Beautiful….Love to win…..
What a lovely rug! A smaller version of this pattern with a lighter weight yarn would make very nice placemats. A set of 4, 6, or even 8 would also make a lovely gift (thinking ahead for Christmas).
Beautiful! Looks fun to make!
The pattern is beautiful and the blue and green colors in the example are superb and very kid friendly! I hope I win and look forward to working this project.
Here is a suggestion for printing. Copy the text of the pattern, paste into a Word document or similar program. Select all the text after pasting, change the text to larger or bolder or black then print your document. Save for future reference. Great for those folk with poorer eyesight. Also I found similar yarn in Walmart in more muted colors. Going to make mine in black with orangey red flowers. Cheaper than the Red Heart, I ordered direct from Red Heart and they messed up my order!
I am having a really hard time figuring out the second round.I can get the dc2tog, the part I am not getting is work 3 dc between the post of previous st and next st…I can’t seem to understand where previous and next are.
I may get it figured out soon just would appreciate any help you can give me….Maybe a close up of the stitches or a video? Maybe there is already a video on it. If so would you please post i t?
I printed out the instructions on two different occasions, and both times it came out so faint
I could not read it. Is there something that can be done so it could be darker? THANKS.
Be Well
Carol Roper
I like checking your web site. Thank you!
That surely is a thing of great beauty.
I am having trouble with row 4. I have the 36 sts from row 3, but after doing at least 9 groups of the (6 dc) I am already beyond the 42 sts total it says I should have and that isn’t even counting the sc’s and the skip 2 spots. What am I missing? Can someone help me please?
You could certainly see your skills within the work you
write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers
such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe.
At all times follow your heart.
MISTAKE: “Round 10: Ch 1, sc in the first st finishing with Color B”
SHOULD READ: dc *not* sc
Sorry wrong row let me try again:
MISTAKE: Round 11: Ch 2, work 3 sc in the first st finishing last st with Color B.
SHOULD READ dc *not* sc
Hey, Tamara! Thanks for the great pattern. I see so many possibilities. 1. Use regular yarn and hook, make two in different colors, join the edge in reverse single crochet, and just before finishing, slip in a small pillow form. This will give you a two-sided chair seat or pillow. 2. Cut up old jeans, 1/2″ wide or so. 3. Cut up old sheets 1″ wide. 4. Cut up old T-shirts (lots of instructions on the Web). What fun!
This is such awesome work and a beautiful pattern. I’m dying to make it soon — perhaps in Christmas colors. While 42 inches is great, how can I make it larger still? Can anyone give me any ideas on this? Please respond to my email: pinkcaddy7@yahoo.com and just use “mandala” in the subject line. Thanks!!!
This is going on my to do list for sure, my grandkids will absolutely love this and it will sure work up quickly being a bulky weight.
I LOVE IT> It will go to the top of my LONG list of things to do
Thank you so much
Good day! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a
new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your
blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
I got as far as row 6. But can’t get 72 st. Is there a mistake on that row?
I think row 6 should read *2dc between posts of first and next stitch instead of only 1 dc. That would give you 12 repeats of 6 stitches each, resulting in 72.
free pattern please
I tried to print out the pattern for this rug. It came out so faint I can hardly read it.
Is there some way you can darken the print? Thank you
Be Well
Carol Roper