That new project I’ve been referring to? It’s a giant knitted picture of a mandala, to go on the living room wall. Here’s the background:-
Mandalas are the thing at the moment. For anyone with spiritual or crafty leanings, they’re everywhere, and joyfully so. Witness (with excitement), Attic 24’s ever-growing collection of crocheted mandalas ahead of this year’s Yarndale, here. Rich and varied colours, complex, circular, swirling patterns: what’s not to like? (Is anyone going to Yarndale? I’m so tempted…)
I’ve put together a page of Mandala inspiration on Pinterest, because I’ve started taking an interest in these gorgeous creations. I’ve concentrated particularly on mandalas in different media – from bookshelves, to crochet, to painting on stones. Anyway, have a look and judge for y’self. (I’m very very new to Pinterest, so would be honoured if you followed me – I’ll happily follow you back, oh crafty souls.)
Do you remember from childhood – and I say this as a 41-year-old woman – the wonders of Spirograph? Man, I loved that toy. No particular skill or artistry required to create complex, repetitive, beautiful, elegant mandalas. Using it, I felt like an artist and a mathematician, all at once, for very little effort.
So, naturally The Twisted Yarn needs to jump on the mandala bandwagon, but in its own unconventional way. First, I started to think about the nature of mandalas. They’re big in Buddhism and Hinduism, representing the universe. And as a clinical psychologist, I can’t ignore Jung’s eccentric incorporation of mandalas into his thinking. (Everything about Jung was fairly eccentric. But I’m not here to ramble on about my day job.)
Yarnwise, I have to say that crochet has the edge over knitting for this medium, despite the fact that I’m primarily a knitter. You can most certainly knit mandalas if you’re comfortable with DPNs and short rows and suchlike, but really, crochet allows you to make beautifully multi-coloured creations, especially if you can master overlay crochet. Like, wow. Proper wow.
And if as a child you had and loved a kaleidoscope, you’ll adore the tree-based mandala I have on my wall here at the brewery, a representation of alder blackthorn by Sean Hellman. I bought it many years ago whilst on an Arvon course in Devon.
And whilst we’re indulging in a little gratuitous mandala porn, have you seen this book? I fear some expenditure coming on…
Oops, did I get distracted there?
Here at The Twisted Yarn, we really don’t do things conventionally. I do feel the need to subvert the medium a little. I thought about knitted mandalas and I thought, “Nah”. So I decided I’d knit a picture of a mandala. That’s what all my graph-paper-work over the past few days has been about. I’m going to knit a large panel to go on the wall of our abandoned-to-the-toddler-twinnage-because-I-haven’t-got-round-to-decorating-it living room. The design I showed you? I’m going to knit it in-the-round and then cut the steek. I’m using my new knitting needles from the Deramores prize. 🙂 The cream background is knitted in rough, string-like Wendy Guernsey, and the luscious variegated green foreground is deliciously soft Fyberspates Vivacious DK Deep Forest, that I’m resisting the urge to cuddle. Not two yarns that naturally belong together texture-wise, but their colours are perfect. We shall see whether this works. Or not. Here’s its start:-
If it doesn’t work as a panel, I guess that given that it’s knitted in the round, it could pre-steek be a (rather excessively large) jumper*… but for someone else, because I don’t wear pale colours, ever. Even my wedding dress was dark teal. In pale, I look ill. Any takers?
*’sweater’, to North Americans.
thecontentedcrafter says
Squeeeeeeeeeee! What enormous fun!! I wanted to ask if you were creating a mandala in your last post, but didn’t want to appear stupid 🙂 How on earth do you knit a mandala? I shot across to pinterest and followed your board – now a crocheted mandala that I can see having a go at. I went off and put the mandala book onto my wishlist and, becoming distracted, wandered around with several other colouring mandala books for a while too. It’s been years since I worked with mandalas, they were once a hugely important part of my life! As a fan and proponent of Jungian psychology I was first introduced to them back in the 70’s as a wee young thing myself 🙂
I am really excited by your project and may well join in with creating a little something over here on the other side of the world when my puppy is a bit less reliant on me for constant care and entertainment and stops devouring everything he sees……….. might be a while! 🙂
Fabulous post, most inspirational!!
The Twisted Yarn says
Oh yes, yes, yes, yes, PLEASE make some too, because with your artistic talent, you could paint something amazing.
Mine is a knitted picture of a mandala – a bit unconventional, I know.
Hugs to the puppy. 🙂
debgarretty says
Looking forward to seeing the finished piece. Mandala making is truly addictive. I’ve sent one to Lucy at Attic 24 and hope to see it displayed when I visit Yarndale. You should go, it’s a really great day out. Congratulations on your Deramores award, I’ve started following your blog and am really enjoying the posts. We’ll done!
Timeless1 says
Wow~!!! I can’t wait to see the progress on this!
The Twisted Yarn says
I’m working as fast as I can!
KerryCan says
And, here I was worried about how you were going to top the stained glass window! This looks like it’ll be a cool project, although the only part of the explanation I understood was “Spirograph.” I bought one recently at a garage sale–took me right back to childhood!
The Twisted Yarn says
Spirographs are so cool, aren’t they? Wish I’d held on to mine from childhood. Enjoy. 🙂
annabellefranklinauthor says
Oh dear… I shouldn’t have clicked the link to the Mandala Book. I’ve only gone and bought it!! I can’t resist anything to do with mandalas. I had a Spirograph when I was little – I reckon that was the start of it all. 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
Is the book as gorgeous as it looks? I keep drooling over it on Amazon.
annabellefranklinauthor says
I’ll let you know, when it arrives.
The Twisted Yarn says
Seriously, please do. I’m so tempted, but can’t really justify it….
Rosie says
So are you knitting outside in ?!
Picture of wedding dress required!!
The Twisted Yarn says
Nope, rows from bottom up. Am knitting in the round with a steek that I’ll then cut. As for the dress, the only e-picture I can lay hands on is on my Facebook page. If you look in my photos, there’s an album buried somewhere called ‘wedding’. It’s a terribly unflattering pic of me plus the stoic spouse, but the dress looks ok.
Jennifer says
Adventurous ……… since I get excited when I can knit my own pattern on a pair of socks, I am humbled. I am also an old hand at Mandalas, but the painted, quilted, everything stuck on it kind. It’s going to be beautiful.
The Twisted Yarn says
Oh, I’d LOVE to see your mandalas!!!
Stefanie ~ Jewels For All says
Wow, good luck with your mandala, I can’t wait to see how it turns out! I LOVED my Spirograph as a kid…I’m pretty sure I still have it somewhere, I will have to get it back out. 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. Wish I’d kept my Spirograph. 🙁
Febr12 says
So impressive!!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you!
thegrangerange.wordpress.com says
what an intriguing project, I look forward to monitoring your progress.
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. 🙂
nicolaknits says
I have added your Pinterest board to my ‘following’ list. They really are beautiful, especially your tree one. Yes, I remember Spirograph, and in fact we have a small set that does the same thing now. You certainly don’t shy away from adventurous projects, and I’m loving following your blog.
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. Your blog is lovely, too. I love your barefoot sandals, in particular.
svspruce says
Wow, that’s going to be gorgeous! I haven’t heard of a steek before so looked it up on YouTube – it looks very scary and precise work! I’ve just made my first mandala and found it very addictive…. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you! So are you making more mandalas now?
snailishknits says
Wow, that is going to look so impressive.
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you.
dragontearsoflove says
You do my crafter’s heart proud…I’m beginning quilt work with Mariner’s Compass and stars right now, but as I worked out the blocks for one of my next quilts, I saw this bamboo circular frame of about 30″ leaning against my wall, and I could just see a beautiful Mariner’s Compass in it….Who knows, maybe by the time I get to it, it will become a Mandala. And that jumper is looking great, I’m afraid to ask the cost;-). I’m curious about the Mandala book shelves, I may have to try this some day.
The Twisted Yarn says
Oh wow, can’t wait to see your finished work.
Meanwhile, your socks rock! 🙂
Amjaylou says
Hello! So glad I found you through the blog award. Congratulations, and very well deserved too! Finding much inspiration here – happy to be following your blog and your Pinterest boards.
Really looking forward to seeing your mandala creation. I’m so impressed with your pencil design that if you added a little colour I’d frame it and put it on my wall – it’s fab.
Amanda x
P.s. Spirograph was one of my most favourite toys, and I wish I still had it too.
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you! 🙂 I’ve followed your beautiful blog. Your crochet mandala is gorgeous.
onedabbles says
What a fantastic project! Look forward to seeing the results.
I loved my Spirograph too. I think its equally intriguing opposite was the Etch-a-Sketch : )
Thanks for linking to the Mandala book. It really is lovely.
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. Oh my goodness, Etch-a-sketch! There’s a name I haven’t heard for a while….
mollieandclaire says
This is a mandala I do look forward to seeing! I’m vaguely baffled by the current rage for crochet mandalas, or doilies, as I prefer to call them. ?
The Twisted Yarn says
🙂 🙂 🙂 I hope this won’t be too doilie-like.
mollieandclaire says
I’m absolutely confident it won’t be!! Love the idea of it!
atelieroursonne says
Crazy!!! But then I was expecting quite something after the finished afghan. I just wonder how you are getting all done. Did I misunderstand “twinnage”? Is it you having a twin? 🙂 Or do you make them work for you?
Can’t wait to see the progress…
The Twisted Yarn says
Ha ha, that would be handy, a spare clone to help work on the projects. I get it all done by staying up too late and neglecting all the stuff I should be doing. Sigh.
jenpedwards says
Now this is impressive! I look forward to seeing it take shape. Any other colors? Also curious to see hoe you’ll “frame” it/hang it. It will be beautiful!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. Colours are slightly variegated dark green against cream background, and I’ve ordered some gold embroidery thread to accentuate details. It may be great, it may be a disaster. Have just got to the start of the green bit, so we shall see……….
mountaingmom says
Oh my, how industrious and beautiful. What a wonderful project, I can’t wait to see it finished.
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. 🙂
Nicky Barfoot says
Looking forward to seeing your progress on this. Great project 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. 🙂
sindhoooo says
Excited to see how would you knit it… Mandala… I know this word but, didn’t know this word is used in knitting too! I guess, this word has Sanskrit origin… In India, we make Mandalas while practicing some rituals.
Regards,
Sindhu
Tantu
The Arts & Me