Summer Harvest Mandala — The Final Rounds (Closing the Mandala) · Advanced Crochet

We've reached the end, look at your mandala, like a basket of summer fruit. Find the little closing chain at the top of the back loop only half double crochet from the previous round. Work 1 single crochet there, then chain 2. In the chain 13 space, work 1 single crochet, then 7 double crochets. Youth gathers bright colors quickly. Life instead, gathers patience stitch by stitch. Now go back to round 19, in the chain 1 space, work 1 double crochet. Back in that same chain 13 space, work 7 double crochets, then 1 single crochet, then chain 2. And with the years, the fruits grow deeper. Experience, calm and gratitude, wabi-sabi, imperfect and beautiful. Repeat steps A D all the way around, 16 times total. Join with 1 slip stitch in the first single crochet. Total, 240 double crochets. 48 single crochets. 32 chain 2 spaces. Choose any single crochet from round 28. Work 1 front post single crochet around it, then chain 4. Find the first double crochet of any round 24 group, work 1 single crochet there, then chain 2. Now place your hook right between the 2 groups of 7 double crochets from round 28, and catch the same spot from round 24, so you are anchoring to both rounds. Work 4 double crochets 2 together, with 1 chain between each one. Chain 2. Then work 1 single crochet in the 4th stitch of the next round 24 group. Chain 4. Repeat steps all the way around, 16 times total. Some fruits were never harvested, and that's ok. Not everything is meant to be picked. What we didn't harvest taught us too, patience, boundaries, and new seasons. Total, 64 double crochets 2 together. 16 front post single crochets. 32 single crochets. 32 chain 4 spaces. 32 chain 2 spaces. 48 chain 1 spaces. Find the second chain 1 space from round 29. In that space, work, treble crochet 3 together. Chain 1. Repeat that 3 times, then work 1 more treble crochet 3 together. In the next chain 1 space, work, treble crochet 3 together. Chain 1. Then work 1 more treble crochet 3 together. Work 1 single crochet into the front post single crochet from round 29. In the next chain 1 space, work, treble crochet 3 together. If the chain is too open, take the back loop and close it together. Chain 1, then work 1 more treble crochet 3 together. Repeat steps all the way around. Join with 1 slip stitch into the closing chain of the first treble crochet 3 together. Total, 16 fans, 112 treble crochet 3 together. 96 chain 1 spaces, 16 single crochet, 16 picots. Make 1 front post half double crochet 3 together. Insert your hook around. The last treble crochet 3 together of a fan. The single crochet between fans, and first treble crochet 3 together of the next fan. Then complete the 3 together. In that same fan, work 1 front post half double crochet around each of the remaining 5 treble crochet 3 together. Work 2 half double crochets into each chain 1 space and between the treble crochet 3 together. In the central treble crochet 3 together. Make 1 front post half double crochet, then 1 picot, chain 3, slip stitch into the first chain. Then 1 more half double crochet. Repeat steps all the way around. Join with 1 slip stitch into the first front post half double crochet 3 together. Total, 16 front post half double crochet 3 together. 80 front post half double crochet, 208 half double crochet, 16 picots. Enjoy your piece, and give thanks for the fruits of summer. And for the ones that were not meant to be gathered. Wobby sobby, the quiet beauty of the imperfect. Remember, a chair, a gentle light, and some quiet company are enough. We continue together.