Mandalas to Crochet: 30 Great Patterns (Knit & Crochet) Paperback – March 15, 2016

Great book, beautiful designs, good techniques.

I bought this book primarily for the attractive patterns, showing the author's talent at colors. I am fairly accomplished at crocheting, but I do not have the eye for color and often depend on examples to inspire me. BUT, although I had skill at the invisible join, a miracle technique, I had never heard of the standing stitch to BEGIN a round. I knew to stagger the join in crocheting "circles," and I had figured out on my own not to begin with the standard 3 chains for double crochets, etc, but to use 2 chains for dc... Still, you could see my beginning of rounds, even staggering them. Hated it!So, in this amazing book of many suggested techniques, I encountered the standing stitch for beginning rounds. It is amazing. I sound like a nut! Ha! But, it has really given me more confidence in my crocheting, and my somewhat perfectionist twist that erupts from time to time.This book is a jewel, especially for so many techniques to improve your crocheting, even if you think you are experienced. And, for newbies, you can learn the right way to begin with!I am a knitter, and a crocheter. I developed a passion for granny squares last year, it might pass, but I love doing them. And, the mandalas are just granny squares in the round!Do not pass up this book for its wonderfully new techniques to improve your craft!(I'm having trouble with photos. Sorry!)

I'm very new to crochet and wanted more mandala patterns to try. At first I was put off by the cutesy sentences describing each pattern in the book, but then I started one and realized it was a very very useful book. I learned better ways to start and end that made a huge difference in the neatness of the final result. The technique section was well done and very useful.The patterns are largely pretty and all well written and guided me along into being able to really read patterns without needing a step by step photo tutorial (which to be clear this book does not have). But I am able to do them without problems! This book also explained how to read the (optional) crochet charts in a way that made sense, I'm not ready to use them yet but I know I'll be able to. The photos are great. I wanted to know what yarn was used for all the examples, for some reason this was buried in the back of the book- it's DMC Natura Just Cotton, which I'm going to try as soon as possible.As with all books of this kind, I know there are patterns I will never use but I've been really happy overall with it and while not for very first time beginners I highly recommend it to people starting out in crochet, or experienced crocheters who want to try mandalas.

The BEST crochet book I have purchased! Absolutely wonderful and more than I was hoping for. Large colored pictures and excellent directions for crocheting the beautiful mandalas. Highly recommend!

This book is well put together. I found a pictures, the written instructions, the diagrams to be done extremely well. I would recommend this book for beginners. Ones that are just learning how to do circles. For intermediate level or a little higher no thank you.

This is a great book but I have to disagree with some of the other reviews. This would not be an easy to follow book for a beginner. Although there is tons of crochet info, the patterns themselves leave out things that an advanced crocheter would take for granted. For example, the patterns don’t tell you how to start a row. Most have different preferences but a beginner should have an example given. Also, there are no stitch counts on the rows. These are VERY helpful for even an advanced crocheter to be sure their work is correct before getting far along in the project. It’s no fun to get several rows done only to realize you made a counting mistake earlier on. It is a great book. I just don’t recommend it for beginners.

Most mandala books I've picked up require a basic knowledge of crochet and usually consist of smaller doily or coaster sized projects.This has a comprehensive introduction for anyone new to knitting and even some handy tips for those of us in the intermediate and advanced levels.It even shows how to scale patterns up and down.Both written and charted instructions are listed for each design as well as a visual reference.The projects at the back allow for larger items such as rugs and blankets.While it doesn't have a dictionary style stitch dictionary, it has some of the best stitch options for working in the round. Many of the elements of each design can be mixed and matched to create new patterns.This is a great book for anyone looking to explore working in the round.

You go along in life crocheting round things like doilies or hats and think they look okay. You get compliments, people are super impressed and you think you're pretty awesome. Then you read a book like this which shows you that, no, it looks like you did it with your non-dominant hand. The seam is obvious! The increases scream their presence! You realize it's nothing more than a polygon...not really a circle! Ugh!Yeah, I brooded about it for a while. I wondered why no one told me. Where were my friends?! My true friends that tell me when a pair of pants make my butt look big?! Why didn't they tell me?!I'm just so glad I found this book. It has made me really take a good look at my projects, not just race through them, but really concentrate on detail. It took more time at first, it is awkward to get used to, but then it becomes second nature. Soon I was not just some dork who crochets...I became a High Priestess of Yarncraft!