Any crocheters out there have 'Simply Crochet' - issue 7?

[FennellaSage]

By any chance?

I have a question about a pattern!

Yep, I do. What's the question?

I regularly find the Simply Crochet patterns to be missing important information. they can be hard to follow and seem to assume a certain level of knowledge. Some patterns also just don't work in my experience...but I find the patterns such great inspiration that I still keep buying it!

I also find you sometimes need to interpret patterns. I have discovered that I am much more creative than I gave myself credit for as a result and go a bit more of piste than I used to. Which pattern is it? And what's the query?

Sometimes they make mistakes and post corrections on their blog - might be worth checking if something really makes no sense.

Actually I was being a cheapskate and trying to recreate the mandala project from this blog but the dark yellow/grey round joining is defying me. I think perhaps (having looked at it again) that the dark yellow round is 4 tr joined together at the top - can't think of the proper term

I'm getting a subscription for Christmas from my dMIL so hope the patterns aren't too ropey!

I agree - the yellow is a 4 treble cluster - 4tr with only one stitch at the top.

It then looks like you put 2 or 3 DC in the top of each cluster and 5 into the chain spaces between clusters.

I have made two of these mandalas - they are really pretty!.

Yep, it is a treble cluster. The first one starts with a ch3, then a 4tr cluster. From then on you do a 5tr cluster. the instructions for the cluster are to the side of the pattern.

However, as long as you keep it consistent, you could do any style cluster you want as long as the chain between each one is the same as the pattern.

Once the yellow is complete just do 5 DC into the chain 3 space (this means the space created by the chain, not into the chain itself). then 2DC into the top of the cluster. Count how many stitches you have at the end so you know you are going right.

The mandala patterns in this mag are brilliant and very easy to do and well thought out. I am working on one right now actually from the Christmas magazine. My plain is to dip it in PVA solution and form it over a bowl to have a pretty stiff crocheted bowl to use for sweets for Christmas.

Did you know that the term mandala is also used to describe the pretty patterns made by a kaleidoscope?

Thanks! Will have another go tonight