Virtual Crochet Along Beginners – Mandala Crochet Cushion or Bag

Virtual Crochet Along – Beginners

Learn how to crochet in the round and create this beautiful mandala over a series of virtual sessions. We will learn how to combine stitches in different ways to create the patterned rounds. You will then get to choose whether to turn your 2 mandalas into a cushion cover or a bag. This course is suitable for people who know their double from their treble but not much more or for those who having been crocheting forever but never tried anything round before.

These virtual sessions will enable you to crochet long with confidence under the watchful eye of your supportive tutor Karen. Before each session the next section of the pattern will  be emailed to you and then the tutor will lead you through the pattern section step by step through zoom a virtual meeting software which is free for you to download online.

We will work through following a written pattern and a crochet chart to produce the mandala using chunky yarn one section at a time. We will cover making one side in the during the sessions allowing you to practice and consolidate your learning by making the other side between sessions in your own time.

During the sessions:
Mastering your magic circle and getting started with your mandala. We will look at reading the written and diagrammatic pattern and how to make the different clusters and stitch combinations on each round. We will be changing colours on each round and using an increasing number of stitches to ensure a flat circle. There will be help at hand with any issues you may have with tension or joining colours.

We will then finish off our mandalas and join them together to make your choice of either a bag or a cushion cover. If you prefer you can leave them flat as a table mat or a plant mat for a table or sideboard. As the size of your finished product will vary based on your tension you will need to buy your own cushion inner and or lining fabric if you wish to line your bag. We can discuss options for this during the sessions.

Anyone who can already crochet the following stitches; chain, double, slip stitch, treble, half treble and know roughly which is which. If you have only recently done our beginners' crochet course you will be fine as we will be learning more about following a pattern and where to put things. If you are more experienced but have never crocheted in a round or just can't get your head around crochet charts this course would be great for you too!

Or if you are currently looking for a distraction and would like something straightforward to make while enjoying some online human interaction.

Depending on your tension you will need a hook between the size of 5mm and 7mm, I did mine using a 5mm hook but as you probably know I've always been a bit loose. Don't forget your glasses if you need them or you will have an uphill battle working out where to put your hook.

Course Yarn Pack
We will be using Stylecraft Special Chunky Yarn to make our mandalas and 5 balls are included in the cost of the course. You need to specify which colours you would like when ordering the course and make sure that the delivery address is entered correctly when you check out. If you want less than 5 colours its fine to pick multiples of the same colour in your order.

Please note bag lining and cushion inners are not included as part of the course.

You will also need a method to get online (phone, tablet, computer), a free download of zoom software and a clear space to work we suggest a kitchen table, desk or worktop.

You will take home your finished bag or cushion to enjoy at home plus any left yarn and your pattern notes. Along with more confidence to work with patterns, in the round and possibly an obsession with mandalas (I know I have now!).