Stars and Stripes and Clusters Mini Mandala

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! 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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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 hook used)
• 25 yds worsted weight cotton yarn (Peaches & Creme Stripes; 100% cotton, 2 oz/56.7 g, 95 yds/86 m; Stars and Stripes colorway used)
• 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 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!

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!