Sara Huntington’s Rainbow Mandala Waistcoat from issue 34 is one of Simply Crochet's most popular patterns, and you can download it from Ravelry here!
The waistcoat pattern is worked in rounds of lace from a central colour wheel – with armholes positioned part way round, and the top folds over to form a collar.
The soothing process of working the colourful stitches of a mandala is amplified with this creative project. Vibrant lacy rounds radiate from a central colour wheel, resulting in a breathtaking sleeveless garment that hangs beautifully and is a joy to make.
The length from the top of the shoulder to the lowest part of the shawl is 74cm. It measures 36cm across shoulders between the armholes, and 54cm across the bust line at the back between the armholes. The model in this photo is a UK size 8 and given these measurements, the shawl will comfortably fit up to a size 14 - but if you want to make it in larger sizes, please see our update below.
Sara worked her design in Cascade Ultra Pima yarn, which is 100% cotton; the Rainbow Mandala Waistcoat uses one skein each of nine colours: Gold, Tangerine, Dark Sea Foam, Sunshine, Spearmint, Delphinium, Pansy, Poppy Red and Aqua. The pattern also includes an alternative colourway made in pretty pastels too!
And if your little one is envious of your new crochet waistcoat, fear not - the pattern is also available in kids sizes! You can find the pattern on Ravelry here (and you if you buy both you get the kids pattern at a discounted price!)
To make things easier for you to get started, here is a chart to help you work the central mandala section.
We also have an update for the Rainbow Mandala Waistcoat crochet pattern, to fit additional sizes. It now also fits UK sizes 16-22 and 24-26 (equivalent to US sizes 12-18 and 20-22). Please note that you will need to refer to the original pattern, which covers UK sizes 8-14.
Yarn quantities
These apply to all of these extra sizes: 1 skein of each Gold, Tangerine, Dark Sea Foam, Sunshine, Pansy, Poppy Red 2 skeins of each Spearmint, Delphinium, Aqua
Measurements
UK Sizes 16-22 (24-26 in brackets)
Work to the end of Round 18 of the Mandala Rounds as in the original pattern.
Next Round As Round 17. Next Round Ch4 (counts as dtr), 8dtr into st at base of ch, *ch2, dc into fourth dtr of next 7-dtr group, ch2, 9dtr into next dc; repeat from * omitting last 9 dtr on final repeat, ss into top of beg ch-4.
Sizes 16-22 only: Next Round Dc into next dtr, *(ch3, skip 1 dtr, dc into next dtr) 3 times, (ch3, dc into next ch-2 sp) twice, ch3, skip 1 dtr, dc into next dtr; repeat from * omitting dc at the end of last repeat, ss into first dc. [186 ch-sps] Now continue with Round 20 of the original pattern as described below.
Sizes 24-26 only: Next Round Ss to fifth dtr of 9-dtr group, ch1, dc into same st, *ch2, 9dtr into next dc, ch2, dc into fifth dtr of next 9-dtr group; repeat from * omitting dc at the end of last repeat, ss into first dc. Next Round Ch4 (counts as dtr), 8dtr into st at base of ch, *ch2, dc in fifth dtr of next 9-dtr group, ch2, 9dtr into next dc; repeat from * omitting last 9 dtr on final repeat, ss into top of beg ch-4. Next Round Dc into next dtr, *(ch3, skip 1 dtr, dc into next dtr) 3 times, (ch3, dc into next ch-2 sp) twice, (ch3, skip 1 dtr, dc into next dtr) 4 times, ch3, dc into next ch-2 sp, ch3 dc in next dc, ch3, dc into next ch-2 sp, ch3, skip 1 dtr, dc into next dtr; repeat from * another 14 times, (ch3, skip 1 dtr, dc into next dtr) 3 times, (ch3, dc into next ch-2 sp) twice, ch3, ss into first dc. [201 ch-sps]
For all these sizes skip Round 19 of the original pattern, then work Rounds 20-21 of the original pattern. Replace Rounds 22 and 23 with the following:
Round 22 (make armholes) Ss into next ch-3 sp, ch1, dc into the same ch-3 sp, ch3, dc into the next ch-3 sp, ch44 (46), skip 22 (24) ch-3 sps, (armhole made), dc into next ch-3 sp, (ch3, dc into next ch-3 sp) 31 (33) times (collar), ch44 (46), skip 22 (24) ch-3 sps, dc into next ch-3 sp, (ch3, dc into next ch-3 sp) until dc has been worked in last ch-sp, ch3, ss into first dc. Round 23 Ss into next ch-3 sp, ch1, dc into the same ch-3 sp, ch3, skip next (ch, dc, ch), dc in next ch, (ch3, skip next ch, dc into next ch,) 21 (22) times, place marker in last dc, (ch3, dc into next ch-3 sp) 31 (33) times, place marker in last dc, ch3, skip next (dc, ch), dc into next ch, (ch3, skip next ch, dc into next ch) 21 (22) times, (ch3, dc into next ch-3 sp) until last dc has been worked in last ch-sp, ch3, ss into first dc, change to Dark Sea Foam.
Work as for the original pattern to the Armhole Trim. Replace Round 1 of the Armhole Trim with the following:
Round 1 Join Spearmint at underarm corner of armhole and working along the innermost side of the armhole: (dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc) 22 (23) times. Working along the outermost side of the armhole: dc into the remaining loop of each ch, ss into first dc. [88 (92) dc]
Finish as for original pattern.
