[2022 update] The author of this pattern has taken their website down, so the only way to view this pattern is to buy the PDF on Ravelry; the link is below in the Pattern section. Looking for a project that is bursting with color? You’re in the right place! This Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle crochet blanket mixes beautiful, bright colors with a simple yet unique stitch pattern.
This blanket was such a joy to make! I started this in the dead of winter, so I think I subconsciously was attracted to the bright colors. If the sun wasn’t shining outside, at least my crochet project would bring the colors!
If you’re looking for a pattern that is somewhere between a 1-stitch-repeat and an intermediate project with various stitches and no row repeats, this could be a great design for you!
Skill level
Easy
Note: If you don’t know how to crochet, or maybe just want to brush up on the basics, we have a great resource for you!
Hop over to the Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Crochet. This breaks down the basics of what you need to learn, in what order, and link you directly to some great resources! And best of all, it’s free! Enjoy 🙂
Materials
- Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle in ‘Draco’ (2 yarn cakes). If you’re looking for this yarn, you can pick some up on Amazon or on the Lion Brand website.
- 5mm hook (I use ‘Loops & Threads’ and ‘Boye’ ergonomic hooks. You can find a full hook set here if you’re starting out or need to stock up!)
- Scissors and yarn needle
Looking for more crochet patterns? Have a look at my Crochet Pattern Bundle on Etsy. It includes some of my best sellers along with other new patterns!
I have worked with Lion Brand Mandala before (check out the Sea Waves double crochet blanket and C2C summer storm blanket), but I noticed this Sparkle line was a little different – the texture is a bit rougher.
BUT with that comes the gorgeous sparkles. So it made up for it!
Overall, would I recommend this yarn? Absolutely.
If you don’t have this specific type of yarn, no worries. You can swap out for another light or medium size yarn. The beauty of blankets is there is no wrong or right size, so feel free to chose whatever yarn strikes your fancy!
Stitches (US terms)
- Single crochet (sc)
- Double crochet (dc)
- Shell stitch
If needed, refer to my Beginner’s Guide to crochet. Those stitch tutorials will walk you through how to complete the basic stitches. If you need to convert from US to UK terms, have a look at this chart.
Pattern
This beautiful pattern was written by Crocheting Crazy. I am not allowed to display her pattern text on my website since she wrote the blanket pattern (and likely copyrighted it!), so I want to give her credit for this pattern! [2022 update] The author of this pattern has taken their website down, so the only way to view this pattern is to buy the PDF on Ravelry;
You can find her pattern on Ravelry, or via her updated blog link. She calls it the “Orchid Lace Afghan”.
To avoid any confusion, I want to mention that I call my blanket the “Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle” Blanket since that’s the yarn I used; but you won’t see that name mentioned on her blog, since the pattern is called the “Orchid Lace Afghan.”
Notes
The pattern does call for a border, however I chose to not add a border. I was super already super happy with the main part of the blanket as it was. Between the shell stitches and the bright colors (and sparkles in the yarn), it was already an interesting design. Also, to be honest, I had a hard time finding a color that would do the blanket justice.
However, feel free to add the border to your blanket!
Other useful crochet resources
- Crochet hook size conversion chart
- Yarn weight conversion chart
- Stitch conversation chart (US vs UK)
- Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Crochet
Thanks for following along, and we’ll see ya real soon!
Happy crocheting,
Jennifer
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The pattern for this blanket seems to be missing. In the above post it says:
“This beautiful pattern was written by Crocheting Crazy. The free pattern can be found here”
The word “here” is a hyperlink that goes to the Crocheting Crazy homepage.
I manually went through every pattern on the website and also used the search option and searched for the pattern name as well as a search for all the blankets and this one is not amongst them.
I could not find a contact me option on the crocheting crazy webpage so I was unable to send a message asking about the pattern.
Can you find the the correct link and update this post?
Hi Lisa,
Can you please try again? I just double checked the link and it takes you the “Orchid Lace Afghan” pattern on Crocheting Crazy. However, just to be sure, I just removed the link and re-added it, so it should definitely take you to the correct page.
I hope that helps!! Please let me know if you still can’t find the pattern.
Thanks,
Jen
The link to that website does not work for me either.
Hi! It looks like the website “Crocheting Crazy” had a change of url. Here is the updated link where she hosts the pattern: https://crochetingcrazy.wpcomstaging.com/2016/07/05/orchid-lace-afghan-pattern/
You can also find this in her Ravelry store: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/orchid-lace-afghan
Regards,
Jennifer
That doesn’t look like the same pattern I see here with Mandala Sparkle yarn.
Hi, yes it looks a little different because she added a border to the blanket, but I didn’t. I just followed her directions for the “Main Body Blanket” steps 1-3, where rows 2 and 3 repeat. Also, I used self-striping yarn instead of solid color yarn, so that will give it a different look as well.
So depending on which you like best, decide to add the border or do without one! Hope that helps!
– Jennifer
I am having the same problem. It takes me to the Orchid Lace Afghan Pattern. Searching hasn’t helped either. It just tells me nothing was found!
Hi Sandra!
Yes, the Orchid Lace Pattern is the name of the pattern written by Crocheting Crazy. So if you are on that page and you’re looking for the pattern instructions, you’re in the right place! I am not allowed to display her pattern text on my website since she wrote it the blanket pattern (and likely copyrighted it!) so I want to give her credit for this pattern!
This is on her link: https://crochetingcrazy.com/2016/07/05/orchid-lace-afghan-pattern/. Look for where she says, “Directions: Main Blanket Body”….
Hope that helps!
Regards,
Jennifer
Thanks Jennifer! ♥️🎶
What does the short cut term Dtr mean??
Hi Dawn, that stands for Double Treble crochet.
This doesn’t take to the pattern for the Mandal sparkle blanket.
Hi Sylvia, the link takes you to the original pattern called “orchid lace aghan”, written by Crocheting Crazy. I call it a Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle blanket since that’s just the yarn I used! Hope that helps!
So is the Orchid Lace Pattern the same as above? They do not look the same.
Hi Sandy, yes ‘Orchid Lace’ is the pattern I followed. It looks different because I didn’t add the border, I simply followed her directions for the “Main Body Blanket” (steps 1-3, where rows 2 and 3 repeat). Also, I used self-striping yarn instead of solid color yarn, so that gives it a different look.
Thanks!
Jen
The actual pattern calls for weird stitches like X stitch and Y stitch. It definitely doesn’t look like s shell stitch blanket. I like yours a lot better.
Hi – I absolutely love this blanket you crocheted using the Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle Yarn in Draco!! I found and will purchase the pattern for the Orchid Lace Afghan on Ravelry. My question is, you listed that you used two cakes of Draco yarn but I didn’t see anywhere the size of your finished blanket (I probably just missed it somewhere, lol!). I’m trying to figure out how many cakes of yarn to buy from Lion Brand and your answer will help guide me on how much yarn to purchase based on the size blanket I want to make. I just love your website by the way, and look forward to spending more time here. Thank you!! 🙏❤️🙏
It says the pattern is free. The link is to a paid pattern. Very misss leading.
Author
Hi, you’re right – the pattern author did have it for free when this post was written, but in recent years I see she removed her (free) blogpost and now only has it on ravelry. I’ll update the photos to remove “free” so that’s clear. Thanks for pointing that out!