Monday 7 April 2014

Mand-A-Long

I had seen mandalas popping up on the Internet recently, but had not made one yet.  So when Chrissie of Chrissie Crafts hosted a Mand-A-Long I decided that this was the time to make one.
 Mandala is Sanskrit for circle.  It is a spiritual symbol representing the universe in both Hinduism and Buddhism.
Chrissie asked what we would use our mandala for, which started me thinking about using it as something other than a doily.  I decided to make my mandala in miniature as a piece of jewellery.  I chose bright jewel-like colours in Anchor 8 Cotton Perle and used a 1.75mm hook.  I adapted this Spoke Mandala pattern by Wink.
 The spoke stitch is new to me, but even though it took me a couple of attempts at my first spoke the mandala was quick and easy to make.  As this is going to be a piece of jewellery I needed to stiffen is somehow.  So I made two mandalas, one without the spokes as the back piece and cut out a circle of clear plastic from some packaging.  I think it was the front of the Christmas cracker box - I save all sorts of things!  I then joined the two mandalas, back to back, using a slip stitch.  Halfway around, I inserted the plastic and completed the join.  The finished item is 7 cm in diameter.  
I haven't yet decided whether to attach a brooch pin to the back or whether to insert a ring at the top to turn it into a pendant.
Thank you Chrissie for hosting this Mand-A-Long and to Wink for the original pattern.
Best wishes, Pj x

6 comments:

Unknown said...

WOW! That is genius! I love how you used the Perle cotton - what size hook, may I ask? Very beautiful, and very inspirational. I can't wait to see if it ends up as a brooch or pendant - or make another and you'll have big earrings! Chrissie x

thesnailgarden said...

Hi Chrissie and thank you. I used a 1.75mm hook. I originally tried using sewing cotton to make earrings, but it was so fiddly! Best wishes, Pj x

helena said...

what a great idea to make it as jewallry - you've got me thinking about making one to decorate my hair in a ponytail. Love the colours you used

Jane said...

Your little mandala is beautiful Pj, I love the colours and it's going to make a lovely piece of jewellery whether it ends up as a pendant or a brooch. I'm a brooch girl myself. Thank you for visiting my blog. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Jane x

Deb Hickman said...

Wow, this is just beautiful and what a great idea making it into jewelry. I've never used a hook that small!!!!! Have a great weekend. X

thesnailgarden said...

Thank you for all of your lovely comments. Jane - I think I'm going for the brooch idea. Helena - I like the idea of making one for my hair.
Best wishes, Pj x