Crochet Lotus and Blossom Mandala Pattern: Catona and Whirl
· admin
This crochet lotus mandala pattern creates repeated leaf-shaped sections, raised popcorns and a scalloped floral border. The supplied Lotus and Blossom design has two finishes: a six-color Catona version and a continuous-color Whirl version. Both share the first 36 rounds, then follow their own final rounds.

Crochet Lotus Mandala Pattern Materials and Sizes
- A 3 mm crochet hook, yarn needle and scissors.
- Catona version, 100% mercerized cotton at 125 m / 50 g, in the six colors below.
- Alternatively, one Scheepjes Whirl cake in Lavenderlicious 758 or Sippy Sage 561; the source uses approximately 700-900 m from a 1000 m cake.
- Optional display ring, bought after measuring the finished work.
| Color letter | Catona shade | Source quantity |
|---|---|---|
| A | Lime Juice 392 | 25 g |
| B | Lime 512 | 45 g |
| C | Old Lace 130 | 60 g |
| D | Nude 255 | 90 g |
| E | Old Rose 408 | 55 g |
| F | Light Coral 264 | 40 g |
The source Catona mandala is approximately 30 inches across; the Whirl version is approximately 28 inches. Yarn, tension and blocking affect the result, so finish and measure before choosing a display ring.
Stitches and Pattern Notes
US terms are used here. Ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, tr = treble crochet, MR = magic ring, inc = 2 stitches in one stitch, and dec = a decrease across two stitches. BLO means back loop only and FLO front loop only. FP and BP mean front and back post. FPDC2TOG and FPTR2TOG close two post stitches together around the specified older stitches. PC is five dc closed into a popcorn with a closing chain; that closing chain is not an extra separating chain. A picot is ch 3 and sl st into the first chain.
Work with the right side facing throughout. Ch 1 does not count as a stitch. When a round begins with a popcorn, use ch 3 for its first dc. A repeat “four more times” means five repeats in total. The later stages increase the total number of sections to ten and then twenty.

Shared Rounds 1-36
Begin with a magic ring in Color A, or with the Whirl thread, and the 3 mm hook. Keep the round references in the written instructions below; a later round may intentionally refer back to an earlier shape.
Round 1
Ch2 (first hdc), make 11hdc in the same loop. Ss in top of first st to connect. [12hdc]
Round 2
Ch3 (first dc), 1dc in same st, (2dc in next st) 11 times. Ss in top of first st to connect. [24dc]
Round 3
Ch1 (doesn’t count as st here and throughout entire pattern), (1sc in next 3 sts,ch5, sk 2 sts) 4 times. 1sc in next st, 2sc in next st, ch5, sk next 2 sts. Ss in top of first st to connect. Ss to next st. [5 gr of 3sc and 5 times a ch5-sp]
Round 4
Starting in the second sc of a 3sc-gr. Ch1,(1sc in second sc of 3sc-gr, sk next st, 4hdc-ch1-4hdc in next ch5-sp, sk next st) 5 times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Ss to next ch1-sp between the hdc’s. [5sc and 5 gr of 4hdc-ch1-4hdc]
Round 5
Starting in ch1-sp. Ch1, *3sc in ch1-sp, sk first hdc of next 4hdc-gr (which is hard to see due to the 3sc made), 1sc in second and third hdc, ch7, sk next hdc-sc-hdc, 1sc in next 2 sts, sk next st – which will be the last hdc for the next ch1-sp. Rep from * 4 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. The Whirl version makes an ss in the second sc of a 3sc-gr, and the Catona version fastens off Color A. [5 gr of 3sc/ 5 gr of 2sc-ch7-2sc]
Round 6
Take Color B and attach it in the second sc of a 3sc-gr. Or continue with the Whirl version where you already are in this stitch. Ch4 (first dc + ch1), sk next 3 sts, 11tr in next ch7-sp, ch1, sk next 3 sts. *1dc in second sc of next 3sc-gr, ch1, sk next 3 sts, 11tr in next ch7-sp, ch1, sk next 3 sts. Rep from * 3 more times. Ss in the third ch to connect. [5dc/ 10 times a ch1-sp/ 5 gr of 11tr]
Round 7
Ch3 (doesn’t count as st), *1fptr around the dc of R6, ch3, 1fptr around the same dc you just used, sk next ch1-sp and first tr of next 11tr-gr, (1bpdc around next tr, ch1) 8 times, 1bpdc around next tr, sk last tr of 11tr-gr and next ch1-sp. Rep from * 4 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Ss to next ch3-sp between the fptr’s.[5 gr of fptr-ch3-fptr and 5 gr of 9bpdc/8 times a ch1-sp]
Round 8
Starting in a ch3-sp between two fptr’s. *1pc in the ch3-sp, ch3, 1fptr around the fptr out of last Round, sk first bpdc and ch1-sp, (1bpdc around next bpdc, ch1) 6 times, 1bpdc around next bpdc, sk next ch1-sp and last bpdc, 1fptr around the next fptr out of last Round, ch3. Rep from * 4 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Ss to next ch3-sp. [5 gr of fptr-ch3-pc-ch3-fptr and 5 gr of 7bpdc/6 times a ch1-sp]
Round 9
Starting in ch3-sp after a pc. *1pc in ch3-sp, ch3, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, sk next bpdc and ch1-sp, (1bpdc around next bpdc, ch1) 4 times, 1bpdc around next bpdc, sk next ch1-sp and last bpdc, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, ch3, 1pc in next ch3-sp, ch3. Rep from * 4 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Ss to next ch3-sp. [5 gr of fptr-ch3-pc-ch3-pc-ch3-fptr and 5 gr of 5bpdc/4 times a ch1-sp]
Round 10
Starting in ch3-sp after the second pc. *1pc in ch3-sp, ch3, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, sk next bpdc and ch1-sp, (1bpdc around next bpdc, ch1) twice, 1bpdc around next bpdc, sk next ch1-sp and last bpdc, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, ch3, 1pc in next ch3-sp, ch3, sk next pc, 1pc in next ch3-sp, ch3, sk next pc. Rep from * 4 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Ss to next ch3-sp. [5 gr of fptr-ch3-pc-ch3-pc-ch3-pc-ch3-fptr and 5 gr of 3bpdc/2 times a ch1-sp]
Round 11
Starting in ch3-sp after the third pc. *1pc in ch3-sp, ch3, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, sk next bpdc and ch1-sp, 1bpdc around next bpdc, sk next ch1-sp and bpdc, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, ch3, (1pc in next ch3-sp, ch3, sk next pc) 3 times. Rep from * 4 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Ss to next ch3-sp. [5 gr of fptr-ch3-pc-ch3-pc-ch3-pc-ch3-pc-ch3-fptr and 5 times a bpdc]
Round 12
Starting in ch3-sp after the fourth pc. Ch1, *2sc in ch3-sp before the fptr, ch1, 1fpdc2tog over next two fptr’s out of last Round (you will close the leaf), ch1, 2sc in next ch3-sp, ch7, sk next pc and ch3-sp, 1sc in next pc (this is the second pc out of four), 5sc in next ch3-sp, 1sc in next pc, ch7, sk next ch3-sp and pc. Rep from * 4 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Fasten off the yarn for both versions. [5 times a fpdc2tog/ 10 times a ch1-sp/ 5 gr of 2sc-ch7-7sc-ch7-2sc]
The next stage starts in Color C for Catona; Whirl continues with its own thread. Fastening off here applies to both versions as specified.
Round 13
Take Color C or the Whirl thread and attach it in any fourth sc out of a 7sc-gr made. Ch1, *1sc in fourth sc out of a 7sc-gr, ch1, 11tr in next ch7-sp, ch1, 1fpdc around the next fpdc2tog out of last Round, ch1, 11tr in next ch7-sp, ch1. Rep from * 4 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. [5sc/ 5fpdc/ 20 times a ch1-sp/ 10 gr of 11tr]
Round 14
Ch3 (doesn’t count as st), *1fptr around the sc, ch3, make another fptr around the same sc, sk next ch1-sp and first tr of next 11tr-gr, (1bpdc around next tr, ch1) 8 times, 1bpdc around next tr, sk last tr of the 11tr-gr and ch1-sp, 1fptr around next fpdc, ch3, 1fptr around the same fpdc you just used, sk next ch1-sp and first tr of next 11tr-gr, (1bpdc around next tr, ch1) 8 times, 1bpdc around next tr, sk last tr of 11tr-gr and next ch1-sp. Rep from * 4 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Ss to next ch3-sp. [10gr of fptr-ch3-fptr and 10 gr of 9bpdc/8 times a ch1-sp]
Round 15
Rep R8 only change the number of repeats from 4 to 9. [10 gr of fptr-ch3-pc-ch3-fptr and 10 gr of 7bpdc/6 times a ch1-sp]
Round 16
Rep R9 only change the number of repeats from 4 to 9. [10 gr of fptr-ch3-pc-ch3-pc-ch3-fptr and 10 gr of 5bpdc/4 times a ch1-sp]
Round 17
Rep R10 only change the number of repeats from 4 to 9. [10 gr of fptr-ch3-pc-ch3-pc-ch3-pc- ch3-fptr and 10 gr of 3bpdc/2 times a ch1-sp]
Round 18
Rep R11 only change the number of repeats from 4 to 9. [10 gr of fptr-ch3-pc-ch3-pc-ch3-pc- ch3-pc-ch3-fptr and 10 times a bpdc]
Round 19
Rep R12 only change the number of repeats from 4 to 9. [10 times a fpdc2tog/ 20 times a ch1- sp/ 10 gr of 2sc-ch7-7sc-ch7-2sc] The Catona version will now take Color D for the next Rounds.
Round 20
Rep R13 only change the number of repeats from 4 to 9 times. [10sc/ 10fpdc/ 40 times a ch1- sp/ 20 gr of 11tr]
Round 21
Rep R14 only change the number of repeats from 4 to 9 times. [20gr of fptr-ch3-fptr and 20 gr of 9bpdc/8 times a ch1-sp]
Round 22
Rep R8 only change the number of repeats from 4 to 19. [20 gr of fptr-ch3-pc-ch3-fptr and 20 gr of 7bpdc/6 times a ch1-sp]
Round 23
Rep R9 only change the number of repeats from 4 to 19. [20 gr of fptr-ch3-pc-ch3-pc-ch3-fptr and 20 gr of 5bpdc/4 times a ch1-sp]
Round 24
Rep R10 only change the number of repeats from 4 to 19. [20 gr of fptr-ch3-pc-ch3-pc-ch3-pc- ch3-fptr and 20 gr of 3bpdc/2 times a ch1-sp]
Round 25
Rep R11 only change the number of repeats from 4 to 19. [20 gr of fptr-ch3-pc-ch3-pc-ch3-pc- ch3-pc-ch3-fptr and 20 times a bpdc]
Round 26
Starting in ch3-sp after the fourth pc. Ch1, *2sc in ch3-sp after the fourth pc, ch1, fpdc2tog over next two fptr’s out of the previous round (you will close the leaf), ch1, (2sc in next ch3-sp, 1sc in next pc) twice, 3sc in next ch3-sp, 1sc in next pc, 2sc in next ch3-sp, 1sc in next pc. Rep from * 19 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Fasten off the color for both versions. [20gr of 15sc/ 40 times a ch1-sp and 20 times a fpdc2tog]
Round 27
Take Color E or the Whirl thread and attach it in the eighth sc of a 15sc-gr. Ch3 (first dc), 1dc- ch2-2dc in same st, 1dc in next 7 sts, ch1, sk next ch1-sp, 1fpdc around next fpdc2tog, ch1, sk next ch1-sp, 1dc in next 7sts.*2dc-ch2-2dc in next st, 1dc in next 7 sts, ch1, sk next ch1-sp, 1fpdc around next fpdc2tog, ch1, sk next ch1-sp, 1dc in next 7sts. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Ss to next ch2-sp. [20fpdc/ 40 times a ch1-sp/ 20 gr of 9dc-ch2-9dc]
Round 28
Ch4 (first hdc + ch2), 1hdc in the same ch2-sp, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 7 sts, sk next st, ch1, 1fpdc around next fpdc out of last Round, ch3, 1fpdc around the same fpdc you just used, ch1, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 7 sts, sk next st. * 1hdc-ch2-1hdc in next ch2-sp, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 7 sts, sk next st, ch1, 1fpdc around next fpdc, ch3, 1fpdc around same fpdc you just used, ch1, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 7 sts, sk next st. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in the second ch to connect. Ss to next ch2-sp. [20 gr of 7bpdc-hdc-ch2-hdc-7bpdc/ 40 times a ch1-sp/ 20 gr of fpdc-ch3-fpdc]
Round 29
Ch4 (first hdc + ch2), 1hdc in the same ch2-sp, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 6 sts, sk next st, ch1, 1fpdc around next fpdc out of last Round, ch3, 1sc in next ch3-sp, ch3, 1fpdc around next fpdc out of last Round, ch1, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 6 sts, sk next st. *1hdc-ch2-1hdc in next ch2-sp, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 6 sts, sk next st, ch1, 1fpdc around next fpdc out of last Round, ch3, 1sc in next ch3-sp, ch3, 1fpdc around next fpdc out of last Round, ch1, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 6 sts, sk next st. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in the second ch to connect. Ss to next ch2-sp. [20 gr of 6bpdc-hdc-ch2-hdc-6bpdc/ 40 times a ch1-sp/ 20 gr of fpdc-ch3-sc-ch3-fpdc]
Round 30
Ch5 (first dc +ch2), 1dc in the same ch2-sp, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 5 sts, sk next st, ch1, 1fptr around next fpdc out of last Round, ch4, 1sc in next ch3-sp, 1sc in next sc, 1sc in next ch3-sp, ch4, 1fptr around next fpdc out of last Round, ch1, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 5 sts, sk next st. * 1dc-ch2-1dc in next ch2-sp, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 5 sts, sk next st, ch1, 1fptr around next fpdc out of last Round, ch4, 1sc in next ch3-sp, 1sc in next sc, 1sc in next ch3-sp, ch4, 1fptr around next fpdc out of last Round, ch1, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 5 sts, sk next st. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in the third ch to connect. Ss to next ch2-sp. The Catona version will fasten off Color E. [20 gr of 5bpdc-1dc-ch2-1dc-5bpdc/ 40 times a ch1-sp/ 20 gr of fptr-ch4-3sc-ch4-fptr]
Round 31
Take Color F and attach it in any ch2-sp; the Whirl thread is already in this space. Ch5 (first dc + ch2), 1dc in the same ch2-sp, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 4 sts, sk next st, ch1, 1fptr around the next fptr out of last Round, ch3, 2sc in next ch4-sp, 1sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next ch4-sp, ch3, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, ch1, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 4 sts, sk next st. *1dc-ch2-1dc in next ch2-sp, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 4 sts, sk next st, ch1, 1fptr around the next fptr out of last Round, ch3, 2sc in next ch4-sp, 1sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next ch4-sp, ch3, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, ch1, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 4 sts, sk next st. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in the third ch to connect. Ss to next ch2-sp. [20 gr of 4bpdc-1dc-ch2-1dc-4bpdc/ 40 times a ch1-sp/ 20 gr of fptr-ch3-7sc-ch3-fptr]
Round 32
Ch5 (first dc + ch2), 1dc in the same ch2-sp, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 2 sts, sk next 2 sts, ch1, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, ch3, 2sc in next ch3-sp, 1sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog over next 3 sts, 1sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next ch3-sp, ch3, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, ch1, sk next 2 sts, 1bpdc around next 2 sts, sk next st. *1dc-ch2-1dc in next ch2-sp, sk next st, 1bpdc around next 2 sts, sk next 2 sts, ch1, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, ch3, 2sc in next ch3-sp, 1sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog over next 3 sts, 1sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next ch3-sp, ch3, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, ch1, sk next 2 sts, 1bpdc around next 2 sts, sk next st. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in the third ch to connect. Ss to next ch2-sp. [20 gr of 2bpdc-1dc-ch2-1dc-2bpdc/ 40 times a ch1-sp/ 20 gr of fptr-ch3-4sc-sc3tog-4sc-ch3-fptr]
Round 33
Ch4 (first hdc + ch2), 1hdc in same ch2-sp, ch1, sk next 3 sts, 1fptr around the next fptr out of last Round, ch3, 2sc in next ch3-sp, 1sc in next 3 sts, 1dc3tog over next 3 sts, 1sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next ch3-sp, ch3, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, ch1, sk next 3 sts. *1hdc-ch2-1hdc in next ch2-sp, ch1, sk next 3 sts, 1fptr around the next fptr out of last Round, ch3, 2sc in next ch3-sp, 1sc in next 3 sts, 1dc3tog over next 3 sts, 1sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next ch3-sp, ch3, 1fptr around next fptr out of last Round, ch1, sk next 3 sts. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in the second ch to connect. Ss to next ch2-sp. [20 gr of hdc-ch2-hdc/ 40 times a ch1-sp/ 20 gr of fptr-ch3-5sc-dc3tog-5sc-ch3-fptr]
Round 34
Ch4 (first dc + ch1), 1fptr2tog over next two fptr’s out of last Round (you close the leaf), ch1, 1dc in the same ch2-sp out of last Round where you also started in, ch3, 1sc in next ch3-sp, ch3, sk next 2 sts, 1sc in next st, (ch3, sk next 2 sts, 1sc in next st) twice, ch3, sk next 2 sts, 1sc in next ch3-sp, ch3. * 1dc in next ch2-sp, ch1, 1fptr2tog over next two fptr’s out of last Round (you close the leaf), ch1, 1dc in the same ch2-sp where you already made a dc into, ch3, 1sc in next ch3-sp, ch3, sk next 2 sts, 1sc in next st, (ch3, sk next 2 sts, 1sc in next st) twice, ch3, sk next 2 sts, 1sc in next ch3-sp, ch3. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in the third ch to connect. Ss to next fptr2tog. The Catona version will fasten off Color F. [20 gr of dc-ch1-fptr2tog-ch1-dc/ 20 gr of ch3-sc-ch3-sc-ch3-sc-ch3-sc-ch3-sc-ch3]
Round 35
Take Color B and attach it in any fptr2tog; the Whirl thread is already there. Ch2 (doesn’t count as st), *1fpdc around the fptr2tog, sk next ch1-sp, 1hdc in next dc, 5hdc in next ch3-sp, sk next st, 5sc in next ch3-sp, sk next st, 1sc in next ch3-sp, ch1, 1pc in next sc, ch1, 1sc in next ch3-sp, sk next st, 5sc in next ch3-sp, sk next st, 5hdc in next ch3-sp, 1hdc in next dc, sk next ch1-sp. Rep from * 19 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Fasten off Color B for the Catona version; the Whirl thread can stay at this point. [20 gr of fpdc-6hdc-6sc-ch1-pc-ch1-6sc-6hdc]
Round 36
Take Color A and attach it in any fpdc; the Whirl thread is already there. Ch5 (first dc + ch2), 1dc in same st, 1dc in next 12 sts, ch1, 1sc in next pc, ch1, 1dc in next 12 sts. * 1dc-ch2-1dc in next fpdc, 1dc in next 12 sts, ch1, 1sc in next pc, ch1, 1dc in next 12 sts. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in the third ch to connect. Ss to next ch2-sp. Fasten off Color A for the Catona version. [20 gr of ch2-13dc- ch1-1sc-ch1-13dc]
Catona Finish: Round 37
Take Color C and attach it in any ch2-sp. Ch2 (first hdc), make a picot, 1hdc in same ch2- sp, 1bpdc around next 13 sts, 1sc in next ch1-sp, 1sc around the next sc made in the pc, 1sc in next ch1-sp, 1bpdc around next 13 sts. *1hdc-1picot-1hdc in next ch2-sp, 1bpdc around next 13 sts, 1sc in next ch1-sp, 1sc around the next sc made in the pc, 1sc in next ch1-sp, 1bpdc around next 13 sts. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Fasten off Color C. Weave in all ends. [20 gr of hdc-picot-hdc-13bpdc-3sc-13bpdc]
Whirl Finish: Rounds 37-39
Ch5 (first dc + ch2), 1dc in same ch2-sp, 1bpdc around next 13 sts, sk next ch1-sp, 1sc in next sc, sk next ch1-sp, 1bpdc around next 13 sts. *1dc-ch2-1dc in next ch2-sp, 1bpdc around next 13 sts, sk next ch1-sp, 1sc in next sc, sk next ch1-sp, 1bpdc around next 13 sts. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in the third ch to connect. Ss to next ch2-sp. [20 gr of 1dc-ch2-1dc-13bpdc-1sc-13bpdc]
Whirl Round 38
Ch5 (first dc + ch2), 1dc in the same ch2-sp, 1bpdc around next 14 sts, ss in next sc, 1bpdc around next 14 sts. *1dc-ch2-1dc in next ch2-sp, 1bpdc around next 14 sts, ss in next sc, 1bpdc around next 14 sts. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in the third ch to connect. Ss to next ch2-sp. [20 gr of 1dc-ch2-1dc-14bpdc-ss-14bpdc]
Whirl Round 39
Ch2 (first hdc), make a picot, 1hdc in the same ch2-sp, 1hdc in next 15 sts, sk next ss, 1hdc in next 15 sts. *1hdc-1picot-1hdc in next ch2-sp, 1hdc in next 15 sts, sk next ss, 1hdc in next 15 sts. Rep from * 18 more times. Ss in top of first st to connect. Fasten off the yarn. Weave in all ends. [20 gr of 1hdc-picot-1hdc-30hdc]
Original Stitch Charts
Use the charts with the written sequence to compare the joins, expanding leaf groups and outer border. They are parts of the source chart, kept at readable size rather than redrawn with guessed symbols.



Block or Mount the Mandala
Finish the correct set of final rounds for your yarn version, weave in every tail and block according to the yarn care instructions. The source notes that the fabric can ruffle temporarily as the repeated leaves are formed. Check the repeat count before using blocking to address an uneven edge. For a ring-mounted display, use the finished diameter rather than buying from an assumed gauge.
More Crochet Projects
For another project, try our crochet bluebell flowers or explore a wired crochet lily with buds.
Pattern and Photo Credits
The supplied Lotus and Blossom pattern, English edition. The designer is not identified in the supplied file. This is an editorial adaptation of the supplied pattern, with the original designer credited. Reference photographs show the source project.
Leave a Reply