Paua Shell Mandala Crochet Pattern
I have always loved the design of a mandala. I find myself getting lost in staring at them for minutes. (I would love to say hours, but my kids don’t leave me alone for that long!)
I thought I would do some research so I can share with you the actual benefits of mandalas rather than you just taking my word for it because I like them!
Mandala means circle or completion in Sanskrit.
Since the circle can represent a safe and contained space, mandalas have also been found to help both children and adults suffering from anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Viewing mandalas not only helps focus your attention but creating them can also allow you to express your creative side, which many of us neglect in our daily lives.
Mandalas are used in meditation to help establish a sacred space. They act as an aid for meditation practices and help you enter a trance-like state.
Because of its symmetrical shape, our attention is immediately drawn to the centre. The design of the mandala absorbs the mind in such a way that chattering thoughts can calm and even cease.
Creating a mandala can become a window for exploring one’s inner self and can be both inspirational and therapeutic. Creating artwork inside a circle can help silence a person’s inner critic and induce a calm, meditative state.
Creating crocheted mandalas for me began as a personal challenge to stretch and grow my crochet skills. I have mandalas on walls all over my home and find them relaxing to look at when I need a quiet moment as well as confidence boosting when I think of the fact that I made that!
Use your crocheted mandala in a mediative space.
If you are no good meditating with your eyes closed and keep opening your eyes to see the world, then use a mandala, even better use a mandala you have created with your own hands.
· Set an intention for your meditation time.
· Begin to focus on the center of your mandala.
· Let your eyes take in the center, then let them wander along the patterns and designs as they extend to the outer edges of the design.
· Let your mind wander, but if it begins to chatter and take mental shopping lists and to-do lists, then just gently remind it of the beauty in the mandala and bring it back to focusing on the mandala.
· Bring all your attention into the mandala, as if you were being absorbed by it. Let your body feel lighter as the mandala lifts you and lets you float amongst its layers.
· As you finish your meditation, slowly let the mandala place your feet back on the ground and bring your mind back to the present moment.
This pattern has some intricate details while remaining achievable for the hobby crocheter. The pattern file now has row-by-row photo instructions to help the hobby crocheter create this mandala.
In 2023 I went back and re-made all my mandalas in a thicker weight yarn to take row-by-row photos to improve the quality of my patterns.
I created the pattern initially using some hand-dyed yarn I picked up at the Pakenham Wool Show back in 2018 or so, but this pattern also looks beautiful in solid colors.
To make your own Paua Shell Mandala, grab your PDF printable copy by clicking on the button below to purchase it from my website shop.
