Happy Days CAL (1): Hakuna Matata Mandala Square

Many weeks ago I promised a Blanket Crochet Along! 

At last, after much planning and procrastination,  I am ready to being with our "Happy Days" Blanket CAL! 

The blanket will consist of 36 small squares and 16 large squares. 

I have selected 6 brights (purple, royal, turquoise, green, yellow, orange) and two neutrals (white and grey) as my main colours. 

You can choose as many colours and neutrals as you like - but I would not recommend fewer than 6 colours and 2 neutral.   

Patterns will be posted every second Friday so that you can work at a comfortable pace.

BLANKET SIZE:  150cm x 150cm.      

YARN:  DK (8ply / light worsted weight) 100% acrylic 

HOOK:  5.00mm

PATTERN TERMS:   US (I will include a conversion chart with each pattern to make it easier for those using UK terms) 

Gauge Swatch = 6cm x 6cm
Row 1:   12ch, into 4th chain from hook 1dc;   1dc into next 8ch turn
Row 2:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each of next 9 dc 
Row 3 - 5 (repeat Row 2)
Adjust your hook size up or down to obtain the correct gauge.

NOTE: Gauge is not all that important for this pattern unless you have an expectation in terms of the end measurement.

Our first square is the Hakuna Matata Mandala Square.     "Hakuna Matata" is a Swahili phrase which roughly translated means "No Worries"

HAKUNA MATATA MANDALA SQUARE PATTERN

Make 4

Size:   28cm x 28cm

Crochet Rows 1 - 8 of the HAKUNA MATATA MINI MANDALA

Row 9:  Join yarn in 1st dc of any 10dc grouping;  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each of next 9dc;    (4dc into 3ch sp) x 2;   [1dc into each of next 10dc;   (4dc into 3ch sp) x 2] x 11; sl st into top of 3ch at start to close

Row 10:   Join yarn in space between any 4dc grouping;    4ch (counts as 1sc, 3ch);  (skip 2 spaces between dc, 1sc into next sp between dc;   3ch) repeat this all around, ending with a sl st into 1st of 4ch at start to close (= 36 x 3ch loops)

Row 11:  Join yarn in any 3ch loop;   *7ch (counts as 1trc, 3ch);  3trc into same 3ch loop as join;   [1ch;  (3dc into next loop, 1ch) x 2;  3hdc into next loop, 1ch;  (3sc into next loop, 1ch) x 2;   3hdc into next loop, 1ch;   (3dc into each next loop, 1ch) x 2;   3trc, 3ch, 3trc into next loop]  x 3;   [1ch;  (3dc into next loop, 1ch) x 2;  3hdc into next loop, 1ch;  (3sc into next loop, 1ch) x 2;   3hdc into next loop, 1ch;   (3dc into each next loop, 1ch) x 2;   2trc into same loop as join;   sl st into 4th of 7ch start to close.

At this stage your square will still be looking slightly curved - don't panic - the next four rows will square it perfectly!!

Row 12:  sl st into 3ch sp;  4ch (counts as 1sc, 3ch), 1sc;   (3ch, 1sc into next 1ch sp) repeat to last 1ch sp;   3ch, sl st into 1st of 4ch at start to close
Note:  into corner 3ch do sc, 3ch, sc 

Row 13:  sl st into corner 3ch loop;   *7ch (counts as 1trc, 3ch);  3trc into same 3ch loop as join;   [1ch,  3trc into next loop, 1ch;  (3dc into next loop, 1ch) x 2;  (3hdc into next loop, 1ch) x 4;  (3dc into each next loop, 1ch) x 2;   3trc, 1ch into next loop;  3trc, 3ch, 3trc into next loop]  x 3;   [1ch,  3trc into next loop, 1ch;  (3dc into next loop, 1ch) x 2;  (3hdc into next loop, 1ch) x 4;  (3dc into each next loop, 1ch) x 2;   3trc, 1ch into next loop;  2trc into same loop as join;   sl st into 4th of 7ch start to close.

Row 14:  sl st into cnr 3ch;  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc, 3ch, 2dc into same cnr;  1dc into top of each stitch;  2dc, 3ch, 2dc into each cnr 3ch.

Row 15:  1hdc into each stitch;  2hdc, 3ch, 2hdc into each cnr 3ch

My four squares will be identical, but you can play around with as many colours as you like!  There will be enough neutral colour in the blanket to offset a serious colour explosion!!

Have fun!

Part 2 - the Sunny Flower Square can be found HERE

(PS:   Feel free to message photos of your squares to my Zooty Owl Facebook Page if you would like me to share them on the wall!)