Katia Oasis Mandala CAL 2020
I am so excited to share with you some thoughts and happenings related to this beautiful Oasis Mandala Baby Blanket along with some information about this CAL.
I was so happy when Katia asked me if I want to design a blanket for this CAL, you can not imagine! I was really jumping around like a child. Why? First because I just love their yarn, second , and I won’t lie, because it is a great opportunity for me as a designer to make my work known. Even if you make this like a business or simply like a hobby or both, we all want that our hard work to be seen and appreciated.
It took me a while to accept that this is what I want to do, to be a crochet and knit designer, because at first I wasn’t that proud about this, being a house mum, surrounded by yarn almost all day long. Then, after my makes started to be seen and more and more people showed interest for my designs, I started to feel more like me!
photo credit katia.com
And now, this is happening! I am the designer behind this beautiful Oasis Mandala Blanket and every time I see a photo with it I can’t believe that I made this ????????.
Believe it or not, this is the first blanket that I ever made and design, but for sure it won’t be the last. I was telling you at the beginning, that I was super happy when Katia asked me to design this blanket, well my excitement lasted for a few minutes, because soon after that I became anxious about this project and if I will be able to design something that people will want to make. I was so anxious that this Oasis Mandala was actually my third try, which was knew to me.
photo credit katia.com
Yep, after 2 failed attempts I was ready to give up and I remember how I just took one ball of yarn and the hook and starting to work something. Already I no longer thought that I would succeed in completing this project. I didn’t looked ahead, didn’t plan what stitch pattern I will use or which color. Everything came from my heart and with every round I was amazed about what was coming out.
This blanket has in it a lot of my fears, but also of my joy and passion. It was “born” from me as a failed person and by the time I was finishing it, I was an enthusiast and optimist. That’s why this blanket represents a lot for me. It was my therapy and this was the most important thing that I won during the making process. With it I leaned that this crochet thing is more then a hobby or business, is my balance, is my medicine is my way to happiness and fulfillment.
Because of what I experienced while making this Oasis Mandala Blanket and because I want you all to experience the incredible sensation of creating something spectacular with your own hands, I encourage you to join Katia Crochet-Along group on Facebook because there is where this crochet pattern will be shared.
You may find this blanket difficult to make, but you will see that all the rounds are in basic stitches or variations of a basic stitch and it will be a great project to improve your crochet skills and learn new stitches.
The Oasis Mandala CAL will start first week of April and the kits are available during the month of March in Katia Shops and Katia.com.
The Oasis Mandala Kit was prepared with care by AMPANS, an entity that supports people with intellectual disabilities or in situations of vulnerability. The kit includes the yarn you will need to make this beautiful blanket and information about where, when and how to join the CAL. You will also need a 4 mm / G6 (US) crochet hook, 8 stitch markers, a wool sewing needle and scissors.
photo credit katia.com
If you want one more reason to join this CAL, well at the end of it, Katia will have a giveaway between all the participants who made their baby blanket with the Oasis Mandala Kit. What’s the prize? 3 kits of Katia yarns for making their next CAL. To enter the prize giveaway you only have to share an image of your blaket with the group.
And because I just mentioned the word Giveaway, go check my Facebook Page and Instagram Account, because starting with Today and until 21st of March you can enter and win one Oasis Mandala Kit sponsored by Katia.
And with all these being said, thank you for reading this and can’t wait to see your Oasis Mandala Blankets and to read your thoughts about it!!
![Left Over Yarn Purse I know that we still have a full month of summer, but I’m trying to make some stash cleaning to have enough space for the autumn-winter yarn . This was the idea when I made this purse and because it’s super easy and fast to make and also a stash buster, I was thinking that you might be interested to see how you can make it. About Design The Design of this Left Over Yarn Purse is super simple. We will work one circle and the good part is that with the circle you will have to stop when you have the desired measurements of the purse/bag. This means that you can make it even bigger. The front side is made by starting decreasing without working the entire stitches of the circle. The flap is actually part of the back side, folded over the front side. Materials You will need: • Yarn I used 6 strands of fingering, 4 ply yarn, but you can use 3 strand of DK or sport or 2 strand of worsted weight yarn or you can work with one strand of thicker yarn. Whatever you have left over you can use it. • Crochet Hook 6 mm ( size L) crochet hook • Tapestry needle • Bag Closure (any type, even a magnetic closure or a simple button if you want) • Bag strap (or you can make a crocheted cord) • Scissors • Stitch markers (optional) About the yarn I used As I said I used fingering cotton yarn, Rainbow Cotton 8/4 from Hobbii. Each strand of 6th I used are of different color and that’s why the marble effect which I love. Final measurements The purse measures 24 cm wide and 18 cm high, but if you are working more rounds on the main circle you can make it bigger. About the stitch pattern We will work this Left Over Yarn Purse just in double crochet, so is a perfect project for a beginner also. With this project you will learn how to work in rounds, how to incease and decrease in double crochet. Abbreviations used in this pattern: • ch - chain • dc – double crochet • sl st – slip stitch • st (s) – stitch (es) • Inc – increase (2 dc in the same st) • Dec – Decrese (2 dc worked together) Dc worked together Yarn over, yarn over insert the hook in the next st, yarn over and pull out a loop, yarn over and pull the yarn through first 2 loops on you hook. Repeat one more time and at the end yarn over and pull the yarn through all the loops on you hook. On the last row of the front side you will need to do this 8 times, working 8 dc together. Gauge • After 2 rounds the circle measured 9 cm in diameter. And I think we are done with all details and we can start. Pattern notes *Ch 2 at the beginning of the round, doesn’t count as first dc. *if you want a bigger purse, work more rounds to the main circle until you have in diameter the desired length. You will find in the pattern indication how to start the front side if you worked more round on the back Back Side Round 1 Start with a magic circle, ch 3 and make 11 more dc inside the circle. Pull the end to close the ring and join with a sl st with the 3rd st of the starting chain. Round 2 Ch 2, 2 dc in the same st, 2 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st, with the 1st dc. (24 dc) Round 3 Ch 2, 1 dc in same st, [2 dc in next, 1 dc in next]. Repeat to the end of the round. Join with a sl st with first dc. (36) Round 4 Ch 2, 1 dc in the same st, [2 dc in next, 1 dc in next 2 sts]. Repeat to the end of the round. Finish the round with 1 dc in last st and join with a sl st with 1st dc. (48) Round 5 Ch 2, 1 dc in the same st, 1 dc in next 2 sts, [2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts]. Repeat tot the end of the round. Finish the round with 2 dc in last st and join with sl st with first dc. (60) Round 6 Ch 2, 1 dc in the same st, 1 dc in next, [2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 4 sts] repeat to the end of the round. Finish the round with 1 dc in the last 2 sts and join with sl st with the 1st dc. (72) And the back side of the Left Over Yarn Purse is done. Now we will start decrease and not complete the circle to make the front side. If you want a bigger purse you can work more rounds. You will increase with each next round the number of dc between 2 increases with 1. To be easier to understand what we are doing next, and how to adjust the pattern if you are working more rounds, we will divide the total number of sts, by 3, so we will have 3 sections of the circle. In our case we will have 3 section of 24 sts, one will be the flap and we won’t work those sts on our front side, and 2 section will be the front side. So, we will work the front panel just in next 48 sts and turn after each row. On the last round of the back side we had, 1 inc and 4 dc in between, so on the first row of the front side we will work 4 dc and 1 decrease. If you made your purse bigger, the first row of the front panel will be no of dc you had between increases, 1 decrease. Use 2 stitch markers to mark the 48 sts in which you will work the front side. Front side Row 1 Ch 2, 1 dc in the same st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, [1 dec (2 dc worked together), 1 dc in next 4]. Repeat the section until you finish all 48 sts. Finish the row with 1 dec. Ch 2 and turn (40) Row 2 1 dc in the first st, 1 dc in next 2 sts, [1 dec, 1 dc in next 3]. Repeat tot the end of the rou. Ch 2 and turn. (32) Row 3 1 dc in the 1st st, 1 dc in next, [1 dec, 1 dc in next 2 sts]. Repeat the section to the end of the row. Ch 2 and turn (24) Row 4 1 dc in first st, [ 1 dec, 1 dc in next]. Repeat the section to the end of the row. Ch 2 and turn (16) Row 5 1 dec x 8 times (8 sts) ch 2 and turn Row 6 8 dc together to close the circle. And Done! All you have to do is to sew the closure and the bag strap and you have nice Left over Yarn Purse to wear it this summer. Here you can find the vide tutorial in case you need it:](https://i0.wp.com/by-katerina.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/LRM_EXPORT_166146643831814_20190625_115749338.jpeg?resize=500%2C330&ssl=1)
7 Comments
Deena Holsinger
Can we join your crochet along without buying a yarn kit? I used to do production knitting for a boutique, which means I already have a LOT of yarn.
Thank you for considering this question.
Deena
Bykaterina
Yes, you can make it with other yarn! The only different of using other yarn is the participation in the prize giveaway at the end of the CAL. Katia is going to celebrate a prize giveaway between all the participants who made their blanket with the Oasis Mandala Kit.
Joy
Your creation is stunning, I have joined the Katie Oasis Mandala cal and am looking forward to April when it starts x x
girliefriend
Will the pattern be available anywhere besides facebook, for those of us that don’t do the facebook? It’s a beautiful blankie!
Bykaterina
Sorry! Facebook is the only way to join the CAL ????
Thanks for your comment!
Kathryn Steel
Where can we get the pattern for the baby blanket
Bykaterina
This is a Crochet Along and it will start first week of April. The pattern will be published on Crochet along Katia Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/crochetalongkatia/)