Macramé mandalas are a hot trend, and with this stylish bagcharm, you can give your bag a unique touch! These decorative mandalas are versatile: use them as a keychain, as a decorative accent on your key rack, or as a trendy bagcharm. With just a few simple materials and a little patience, you can create your own stylish accessory.
ReStyle blogger Stefanie takes you step by step through the knotting process. Whether you’re a beginner or already have macramé experience, this tutorial will help you create your own mandalas in no time. Choose yarn in your favorite colors, grab a stainless steel ring and keychain, and use a needle to neatly finish the piece. Before you know it, you’ll have a whole collection of these fun accessories!
Let your creativity flow and design your own unique pieces. Are you giving this DIY a try? Share your results with us on Instagram using the hashtag #LetsReStyle and tag @restyle_studio_!
For the version described in the pattern: Durable Coral Mini (art. 010.71) in the colors: 325 Black, 2140 Tropical Green, 222 Bordeaux, and 2194 Orange.
For the other examples:
Sample 1: Durable Coral Mini (art. 010.71) in the colors: 326 Ivory, 309 Light Yellow, 2155 Apple Green, and 2140 Tropical Green.
Sample 2: 248 Cerise, 323 Pink, 2103 Cobalt.
ReStyle key rings with chain (art. 015.15401.30).
ReStyle doll needles (art. 015.10810).
ReStyle sashiko needles (art. 015.10641).
ReStyle stainless steel rings 5 cm (3mm) (art. 012.1113.05).
ReStyle stainless steel rings 8 cm (3mm) (art. 012.1113.08).
Fray stop (art. 033.968020).
ReStyle box of colored pins (art. 015.10102).
Crochet hook 2-2.5 mm.
Measuring tape.
Small pliers.
This mandala is made in a 8cm ring.
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
These mandalas are designed using multiple colors.
Consider the visual effect from a distance—darker colors tend to blend in, while lighter colors appear to come forward. You can create a variety of looks simply by changing the color combinations.
These small mandalas are made using a stainless steel ring, which we crochet around, and (sashiko or doll) needles for this knotting technique. Alternatively, you can use a crochet hook as an aid.
Use Durable Coral Mini in 325 Black to crochet single crochet stitches around the 8 cm ring.
Use a 2.0 mm crochet hook and make sure the entire ring is covered evenly with sc. Join with a sl st.
Do not cut the yarn; instead, pull it through the back of the crocheted work to the inside.
Place a colored pin every 1.8 cm around the ring—these will serve as attachment points for the threadwork.
Cut a long piece of thread. If you are right-handed, work clockwise; if you are left-handed, work counterclockwise.
Thread a Sashiko needle (shorter needle, better suited for a 5 cm ring) or doll needle, whichever you prefer.
Tip: Use your left index finger to keep the thread taut. Pass the needle over the tensioned thread and release your finger at the correct point.
Round 1: Pull the thread from right to left through the crochet stitches. Bring the thread forward over the newly stretched thread to secure it with a wrap. Move to the next attachment point and repeat 12 times. Pull the thread tight to avoid loops in the work. You should now have 13 attachment points.
Tip: Fewer attachment points will result in a more open pattern.
Round 2: Continue working in the same way, looping the thread around the previous row’s attachment points before securing it. At the last knot, pull the thread behind the starting point and then bring the needle forward.
Round 3: Work as in Round 2, but pass the thread over two tensioned threads before bringing it behind them and then forward again. Adjust the stitches neatly.
Round 4: Continue in the same manner, now passing the thread over three tensioned threads before bringing it behind and forward again.
Before the last stitch, switch to 2140 Tropical Green. Make sure the knot between the two colors is tight but small.
Rounds 5-8: Continue making stitches over three threads and ensure the knot sits at the back of the work.
Work four rounds in this color before switching to 222 Bordeaux.
Rounds 9-13: Continue working as before, ensuring the knot stays at the back.
Work five rounds in this color before switching to 2194 Orange.
Rounds 14-20: Complete six more rounds in this color, making sure the stitches are neatly arranged.
Pull the thread end through the back of the work and apply a drop of fabric glue or fray stop to secure it.
Attach the keychain ring and the crocheted stainless steel ring together using a small pliers.
Enjoy your knotting, Stefanie van Heusden (coloursoflife.nl).
Optional: Adjusting the Pattern for a Smaller 5 cm Ring
Follow the same pattern as for the larger 8 cm mandala ring, but use fewer rounds and colors.
Did you enjoy this tutorial? You can find even more fun macramé projects in Stefanie’s book Macramé in Colours (available in Dutch).
Stefanie van Heusden
Mijn naam is Stefanie van Heusden van Colours of Life. Ik ben al heel wat jaren ontwerpster voor Durable, maar vind het leuk om nu ook voor ReStyle projecten te ontwerpen. Mijn passie voor materiaal en techniek is groot. Kleuren maken me blij en met het uitvoeren van projecten zagen mensen dat ze dit graag wilde leren. In 2012 ben ik officieel gestart met mijn bedrijf Colours of Life en sindsdien geef ik enorm veel workshops om mijn kennis aan jou over te kunnen dragen!
Momenteel maak ik met mijn team vele mooie projecten met de nieuwere gerecyclede garens van Durable. Graag adviseer ik over materialen. Daarbij speelt de natuur een grote rol, hierdoor laat ik me inspireren. Al jaren maak ik mensen ervan bewust, wat je allemaal kunt doen met afval, natuurproducten en recyclebare materialen.
Ook mijn moeder gaf al handarbeid lessen met afvalmaterialen. En zo ontstonden diverse kunstwerken met recyclebare materialen, waarbij ik de design-en technieklessen verzorgde voor de cultuur- en handwerkbranche. Bij oma mocht ik de knoopjesdoos sorteren en de dekenkist van oma staat in het atelier. Zij en mijn moeder leerde me de vele technieken, waarmee ik jou weer wil inspireren.
Voor het ReStyle blog verzorg ik onder andere macramé projecten. Wil je deze technieken liever persoonlijk uitgelegd hebben? Dan nodig ik je graag uit voor een leuke workshop!
