The Stars and Stripes and Clusters Mini Mandala makes great oversize coasters, lightweight trivets, handy cleanup cloths, and is super festive. Make a set in red, white and blue, or make them in colors to match your party theme - you can't go wrong!
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Small Projects for Hot Summer Days!
Summer is flying by, and BBQ season is in full swing. Whether it's the 4th of July, Labor Day, or just a great day with friends, this is the pattern to have on hand!
I made these 3 using one skein of red, white, and blue self-striping cotton - perfect for the 4th! But you can make them in any colors you choose - solids, stripes, you name it!
The pattern is super easy, and a great introduction to clusters if you haven't made them before. I can't wait to see how you all make this pattern your own!
Stars and Stripes and Clusters Mini Mandala
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US - I, 5.5 mm hook Furls Fiberarts
25 yds worsted weight cotton yarn
Peaches & Creme Stripes used - discontinued
Recommended: Lily Sugar'n Cream Ombres in Red White and Blue
Finished size: 6" diameter
Special Stitches:
- magic circle - click here for tutorial
- dc cluster - (like working a dc2tog but in the same st) Yo and insert hook into specified stitch, pull up a loop, yo and pull through two loops, 2 loops remain on hook, yo and insert hook into the same stitch, pull up a loop, yo and pull through two loops, 3 loops remain on hook, yo and pull through all 3 loops
- seamless join - click here for tutorial
Instructions:
Round 1: Starting with a magic circle, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc 11 into the circle; join with a sl st in the top of ch-3. (12 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, dc in the first st (counts as dc cluster), ch 2, *dc cluster in next st, ch 2; repeat from * to end, join with a sl st in top of first dc. (12 dc clusters, 24 ch)
Round 3: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), dc cluster in next ch sp, ch 1, *dc in the next st, ch 1, dc cluster in the next ch sp, ch 1; repeat from * to end, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch-4. (12 dc clusters, 12 dc, 24 ch)
Round 4: Sl st into next ch sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc 2 in same ch sp, dc 3 in each remaining ch sp to end; join with a sl st in top of ch-3. (72 sts)
Round 5: Ch 1, sc in each st around; break yarn and seamless join to finish off. (72 sts)
And that's that! I whipped the first one up using some scrap yarn I had laying around, when my water glass was too big for the coasters I normally use. And it was so fun I had to make more! I hope you enjoy the pattern as much as I do - and happy summer all!
The Fine Print
Written pattern and photos copyright Tamara Kelly 2014. You are welcome to sell items made from this pattern, please see the About page for details. Be sure to follow Moogly on your favorite social media sites to stay up to date with all the exciting things happening in the world of crochet!
"There isn't often a day when you won't find me without a crochet hook or my knitting needles in my hands! Turning these loves into a full-time career that fulfills my desire for creativity is like a dream come true." Kim Guzman is an award-winning teacher and crochet pattern designer. She writes a variety of patterns including garments, home decor, accessories and gift items. Kim has authored nearly 20 books, most of them in her favorite form of crochet--Tunisian crochet. Tunisian crochet offers Kim more flexibility in her designing due to its unique look, which can mimic knitting or weaving, depending on the stitches used while still maintaining crochet's ease. Being able to combine these looks together in one project brings all needlework together and makes Tunisian crochet a favorite among many. You may often hear that Tunisian crochet is the "step-child" of knitting and crochet. "Not so," says Kim, "it's more like the best of both worlds!" Kim's portfolio of her work can be found at 
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