Kaleidoscope Granny Square Crochet Mandala Pattern

Creating a Kaleidoscope Granny Square Crochet Mandala is a fun and visually rewarding project that combines traditional granny square techniques with various, mandala-inspired colors and textures. 

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Choose a set of contrasting colors. Typically, 7-8 colors create the kaleidoscopic effect.
• Hook: 4.0 mm or the size recommended for your yarn.
• Other Tools: Yarn needle (for weaving ends), scissors.

Abbreviations

• Ch – Chain
• Sc – Single Crochet
• Hdc – Half Double Crochet
• Dc – Double Crochet
• Fpdc – Front Post Double Crochet
• Fpdc2tog – Front Post Double Crochet Two Together
• Standing Stitches – Used to start a new color without slip stitches.
• Invisible Joins – For a seamless color change.

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

Round 1

Using your first color (C1), make a magic ring or ch 3 and join to form a ring.

1. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), then make 8 sc into the ring.
2. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc. (8 sc)

Round 2

With the same color (C1):

1. Ch 2 (counts as the first dc), dc in the same stitch, then 2 dc in each stitch around.
2. Join to the top of the ch 2, then fasten off. (16 dc)

Round 3

Switch to your next color (C2).

1. Create a standing dc and ch 1 in each stitch around.
2. Join to the first dc and fasten off. (16 dc, 16 ch-1 spaces)

Round 4

Using the next color (C3):

1. Make a standing dc in the first ch-1 space, then alternate fpdc around each dc from the previous round.
2. Repeat until the end, then fasten off. (16 dc, 16 fpdc)

Round 5

Using a new color (C4):

1. Start with a standing dc, dc in the next dc, and fpdc around each fpdc from the previous round.
2. Repeat around, join with a slip stitch, and fasten off. (36 dc, 18 fpdc)

Round 6

Switch to your next color (C5):

1. Begin with a standing hdc, then work fpdc2tog by crocheting around two fpdc from the previous round.
2. Continue with hdc in each stitch between fpdc2tog clusters, joining at the end. (54 hdc, 18 fpdc2tog)

Round 7

Using a new color (C6):

1. Make a standing hdc, then hdc in each stitch around.
2. Fasten off. (72 hdc)

Round 8

Using color (C7):

1. Make a standing fpdc around fpdc2tog from Round 6, hdc in the next 4 stitches.
2. Repeat to the end of the round, fasten off. (72 hdc, 18 fpdc)

Squaring It Up (Round 9)

Switch to a neutral or contrasting color (C8).

1. Start in any fpdc and work in groups: (2 dtr, ch 2, 2 dtr) in the fpdc, then work down and up the sides with a combination of dtr, tr, dc, hdc, and sc stitches.
2. Continue this sequence to create four “corners” and square up the mandala. Fasten off.

Final Round (Round 10)

Using the same color (C8):

1. Ch 2 (counts as dc), dc in each stitch around with (dc, ch 2, dc) in each ch-2 corner space.
2. Join to the starting ch-2 and fasten off.

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