20 to Crochet: Crocheted Mandalas

A quick crochet booklet. I'm always stuck for colour combinations and this was perfect for that. I loved the many combinations of patterns available just by making a placemat. All in all a great book!

* ZB Suleman *

Lovely book and easy to follow, I found the print quite small, but most people wont have a problem. My Granddaughter has special needs but very artistic and she was able to make a start on crocheting. Wonderful for beginners.

* Anne Jenkins *

Attractive images for each design tempt you into them. The instructions are in US terminology, with UK alternatives right there in the pattern so you don't have to constantly translate.

Should be something for anyone from a simple early days crocheter to a more experienced maker. Basically if you can follow a pattern you can make some charming mandalas :) I expect it'd make a good gift for someone into crochet looking for new inspiration.

* Jo Coffey *

I am not the most accomplished crocheter in the world, having done it for such a short length of time.

This book is an easy to follow guide containing twenty different patterns, varying in size from 3 inches to 33 inches in diameter. All the patterns are based on Mandala round doily shapes, with a range of intricacies. The pattern information is easy to follow, with variations or alternatives suggested for many of them; hook size and suggested wool blend/weight. Although I have only completed three different patterns so far, all smaller designs, I have had no problem following the pattern and am quite pleased with the overall result.

The book has clear instruction, good photographs of the finished items and a guide at the beginning to explain crocheting abbreviations - which for someone relatively new to the craft, like me, proved very helpful. Because I am a beginner I did struggle at times and felt that perhaps the book could have been improved with some small photographs of projects part way through, so that I could have checked to see how I was doing. Overall though, I felt it was a lovely little pattern book that gives some great modern ideas to a craft that is gaining in popularity. I would have no hesitation in recommending this book.

* Rebecca Hudson *
The book begins with an introduction and a little bit of Crochet Know-How. Then Lynne dives right into the patterns. Each pattern is written in both US and UK terms, in an easy to follow manner. The pattern range from simple to more ornate, and there is a nice variety. There is also a variety of different yarns and weights used which really shows of the versatility of mandalas. Honestly you can make any of them in just about any yarn and weight you want, you will just get a different look and size.   I really enjoy crocheting mandalas, there is something soothing and therapeutic about them. Plus they have so many uses: coasters, potholders, trivets, embellishments, or even just hang them on the wall!   I decided the best way for me to tell you how the patterns are written was to give a couple of them a go, so that's just what I did. I started with a smaller but slightly ornate mandala, the Christmas Star. I did not use the recommended yarn for this one, I used some Red Heart With Love I had in my scrap bin. I love that mandalas can use up your scraps! I found the pattern to be very easy to follow, even with some more advanced stitches. Next I moved onto the Granny Square pattern. I used the recommended King Cole Riot DK, just in another colourway. Again the pattern was easy to follow. There were lots of repeats, but the pattern was written in such a way that it was not at all confusing. Lynne has done an excellent job of writing clearly for any level crocheter!   Overall, I was impressed by Crocheted Mandalas. The patterns and color choices were lovely, and the instructions were easy to follow. At just $9.95/£4.99, this book is an excellent addition to your crochet library! Full review and images: http://cgoanow.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/crocheted-mandalas-20-to-make.html * Crochet Guild of America *

This book is an easy to follow guide containing twenty different patterns, varying in size from 3 inches to 33 inches in diameter. All the patterns are based on Mandala round doily shapes, with a range of intricacies. The pattern information is easy to follow, with variations or alternatives suggested for many of them; hook size and suggested wool blend/weight. Although I have only completed three different patterns so far, all smaller designs, I have had no problem following the pattern and am quite pleased with the overall result.

The book has clear instruction, good photographs of the finished items and a guide at the beginning to explain crocheting abbreviations - which for someone relatively new to the craft, like me, proved very helpful. Because I am a beginner I did struggle at times and felt that perhaps the book could have been improved with some small photographs of projects part way through, so that I could have checked to see how I was doing. Overall though, I felt it was a lovely little pattern book that gives some great modern ideas to a craft that is gaining in popularity. I would have no hesitation in recommending it.

* Jenny Hutchinson *

Bright, cheerful little book on the art of crocheted Mandalas. Clear photos and instructions. Would have been better if it had have been ring bound to ease the reading whilst trying out the patterns. Value for money.

* Lorraine Brettle *

October 2016

Mandala is the ancient Sanskrit word for 'circle', and people through history have drawn them while meditating to help achieve a sense of calm. So as well as being fun and cheap to make, crocheting a mandala might be good for unwinding. Lynne Row's mandalas are super simple and can be all made using odds and ends of yarn. Once you've finished, there's a lot you can do with a mandala. A colourful coast, perhaps. Or you could join several together to create scarves, bedspreads or bags. Even art installations, if you're feeling ambitious.

* Knitting & Crochet - from Woman's Weekly *

As someone who had never progressed beyond crochet granny squares, I found that this simple, uncluttered book gave me the confidence to have a go right away - especially as the beautiful photos were of such gorgeous Mandalas. There are projects for all skill levels, leading on to the more advanced ones, as you build on what you have learnt. Depending on the yarns or colours used, there are zingy, bright modern mandalas to make, monochrome, Vintage, and all sorts of pretty patterns for Mandalas to embellish your home, make gifts, mats, bags, blankets... As an old-fashioned housewife I love to fill my home with pretty, vintage-style things, but the 'new-fashioned' type of crocheters, will equally love this book.

I will just say that the printed instructions are rather small, so you may need to use your reading glasses for ease of use.

* Lesley Bambridge *

Having previously bought Twenty to Make books I was delighted to find this one of the same excellent standard. The clear instructions for each project is given in both US and UK terminology with full page photos of each mandala, also variations given on a number of the designs. The materials and colours used are listed, with a variety of weights providing ideas for creating your own unique projects. I would recommend this book for both novice and experienced crocheters alike.

* Sue Rouncefield *

Very pretty designs. Clear instructions and lovely pictures - laid out nicely. Instructions for both USA and UK clearly shown. While specific yarns are listed general guidelines for alternatives are very helpful. A lovely little book for practicing different designs and the mandalas look attractive enough to use to decorate all sorts of home-crafted items.

* Heather Haig *

Here is another title in the attractive, pocket money series, Twenty to Make, which now comprises 70 books on crafts of all kinds. Crocheted Mandalas with its colourful cover showing eight of the mandalas inside, makes you want to buy and get hooking immediately. I tried out Pinwheel and Christmas Star and they were both quick and fun to do.

Each pattern has a large partial photo and a small photo of the whole mandala. Lack of space in the A5 format means that there are no charts. On the technical level, there are some designs aimed at the beginner, and most are not that difficult.

-- Sally Magill * Slipknot, The Knitting & Crochet Guild Magazi