Tracey Mandala Crochet Pattern

Abbreviations (US terms)

For a complete overview of crochet stitches, symbols, and explanations: view this blog. For a detailed guide on how to read crochet charts, read this blog.

ch = chain

sl st = slip stitch

dc = double crochet

tog = together

prev = previous

* = repeat instructions between * until the end of the round.

Quick stitch guide

Remember: you always have 1 loop on your hook.

Chain: yarn over, pull through.

Slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over and pull through, immediately pull through the remaining loop on hook.

Double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops.

Double crochet together (dc2tog):

1. Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull through
2. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (1 unfinished dc)
3. Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull through,
4. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 unfinished dcs)
5. Yarn over and pull through all remaining loops.

If you are crocheting more than 2 stitches together (e.g., dc3tog or dc4tog), repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have the required number of unfinished stitches before ending with step 5.

Increases: for example, '5 dc in 1' means you work 5 double crochets into the same stitch or space.

Round 2:

Ch 3 (counts as first dc). This is the first double crochet of the round.

*2 dc, ch 2.*

Close with a sl st in the 3rd ch.

Round 3:

Sl st in next dc. Sl st in ch-space. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), this is the first double crochet of the round.

*5 dc in ch-space (work around the chains), skip the 2 dcs from previous round.*

Close with a sl st in the 3rd ch (skip the starting sl st).

Round 4:

Ch 3 (counts as dc), this is the first double crochet of the round.

*5 dc (1 in each), ch 2.*

Close with a sl st in the 3rd ch.

If the mandala starts to curl slightly, stretch it out gently.

Round 5:

Ch 3 (counts as dc), this is the first double crochet of the round.

*2 dc (1 in each), 2 dc in 1, 2 dc (1 in each), ch 2, 1 dc in ch-space, ch 2.*

Close with a sl st in the 3rd ch.

Round 6:

Ch 3 (counts as dc), this is the first double crochet of the round.

*1 dc, 2 dc in 1, 2 dc (1 in each), 2 dc in 1, 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc in dc, ch 2.*

Close with a sl st in the 3rd ch.

Round 7:

Ch 3 (counts as dc), this is the first double crochet of the round.

*1 dc in each (8 dc in total), ch 3, 2 dc in 1 dc, ch 3.*

Close with a sl st in the 3rd ch.

Round 8:

Ch 3 (counts as dc), this is the first double crochet of the round.

*1 dc, 2 dc in 1, 4 dc (1 in each), 2 dc in 1, 1 dc, ch 3, insert between double crochets: [2 dc in this space], ch 3.*

Close with a sl st in the 3rd ch.

Round 9:

Ch 2, dc next 2 dc together. This counts as the first ‘dc3tog’ of the round.

*dc3tog, dc2tog, dc2tog, dc3tog, ch 3, in first dc: [2 dc in 1], ch 2, between dcs: [2 dc in 1], ch 2, in second dc: [2 dc in 1], ch 3.*

Close with a sl st in the first dc2tog (skip the 2 starting chains).

Round 10:

Ch 2, dc next 3 dc together. This counts as the first ‘dc4tog’ of the round.

*dc4tog, ch 4, between the first two double crochets: [2 dc in 1], ch 3, in next dc: [2 dc in 1], in next dc: [2 dc in 1], ch 3, between next two double crochets: [2 dc in 1], ch 4.*

Close with a sl st in the first dc3tog (skip the 2 starting chains).

Round 11:

Ch 3 (counts as dc), 1 dc in same. This is the first ‘2 dc in 1’ increase of the round.

*2 dc in 1 in the dc4tog, ch 2, 2 dc in 1 between dcs, ch 3, 4x [2 dc in 1], ch 3, 2 dc in 1 between dcs, ch 2.*

Close with a sl st in the 3rd ch.

Round 12:

Sl st in space between the ch-3 and next dc. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 1 dc in same. This is the first ‘2 dc in 1’ increase of the round.

*2 dc in 1 between dcs, 2 dc in 1 between next dcs, ch 4, 1 dc in ch-space, ch 4, dc3tog, 2 dc (1 in each), dc3tog, ch 4, 1 dc in ch-space, ch 4, 2 dc in 1 between dcs.*

Close with a sl st in the 3rd ch.

Round 13:

4 sl st: 1 in dc, 1 in next dc, 1 in next dc, 1 in ch-space. Ch 3 (counts as first dc of the round).

*2x: [1 dc in ch-4 space, ch 4], dc4tog, 2x: [ch 4, 1 dc in ch-4 space], ch 4, 1 dc between dcs, dc2tog (in same space between dcs + next space between dcs), dc2tog (in same space between dcs + next space between dcs). Note: the next dc goes into the same space between dcs. ch 4.*

Close with a sl st in the 3rd ch.

Finishing

Fasten off. For more information on crocheting the mandala into a hoop, read this blog.

Cut 8 pieces of yarn to temporarily tie the mandala to the hoop. Tie the mandala to the hoop at the dc4tog points of the last round.
Make a slip knot on your hook and work a sc around the hoop. Continue working single crochets around the hoop until you reach a tie-on point. Carefully untie the yarn and work a sc into the dc4tog AND around the hoop at the same time. Then continue working sc around the hoop. Ensure the hoop is well-covered with stitches so it's no longer visible. This is a personal preference; there is no right or wrong here. Work around the entire hoop.

Do not join with a sl st when you reach the end. Fasten off this way: cut the yarn (leaving enough to weave in) and pull it through completely. Use a needle to pull the yarn through the 1st sc (front to back), then go back to the last sc and pull it through the back loop only (front to back). Tie a knot at the back of the work to secure the yarn, then weave in the end neatly.

Tip!

Check out our Happy Flowers collection! You can use these to beautifully decorate your mandala with stunning flowers. Below you can see an example of one of the flowers in the collection, which looks lovely sewn onto a mandala!

View the collection here.