Centaur Mandala Afghan – Free Crochet Blanket Pattern

While I was working up the sample of my Griffin Shawl, I knew I wanted to come up with a similar design for a crochet afghan pattern that was worked in the round. Beginners and seasoned crocheters alike will love that the Centaur Mandala Afghan pattern uses simple crochet stitch pattern repeats to create the textured design, making it perfect for those days when you need to sit, crochet and decompress. You can find the free crochet pattern in this post below, or an ad-free print friendly version on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, and Etsy here.

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Pair this crochet blanket pattern with Lion Brand Yarns Mandala, a self-striping yarn, and all of the colorwork is done for you making this a perfect crochet project for binge watching your favorite TV show. And I don’t know about you, but my favorite part of self-striping yarns is that I’m not left with a bunch of ends to weave in!

THE YARN

For this crochet afghan, I chose Lion Brand Yarns Mandala in Centaur, which is a DK weight, self-striping yarn. All of the colorwork was done for me which made this a perfect crochet project for binge watching my favorite TV shows. And I don’t know about you, but my favorite part about this yarn is that I wasn’t left with a bunch of ends to weave in! 

If you’ve been following my most recent new releases, you’ll already know that I previously purchased several cakes of Lion Brand Yarns, Mandala, and I’ve been trying to use them for various projects. I’m normally a solid color girl when it comes to most everything in life, especially yarn. But there’s just something about these gorgeous cakes of yarn… I hear them calling my name every time I walk down the yarn aisle! While I love them all, I am ashamed to admit that I’ve been hoarding more cakes than I’ve been using.

THE COLORWAYS I’VE USED SO FAR ARE:

• Gnome: Girls Butterfly Mandala Vest and matching 18″ doll 5 piece set
• Genie: Water’s Edge Shawl
• Griffin: Griffin Shawl & Triangular Scarf
• Centaur: Centaur Mandala Afghan (scroll down for the free crochet afghan pattern) & Wasilla Poncho for Women 
• Chimera: Chimera Triangular Scarf
• Aquarius (Mandala Sparkle): Wasilla Poncho for Girls

For the Centaur Mandala Afghan, I’ve combined several simple crochet stitches to give it a nice texture and drape. The size is easily customizable so you can make it smaller for a baby shower gift or larger for a wedding gift! Check out my Blanket Size Chart HERE, for standard blanket sizes.

Centaur Mandala Afghan – Free Crochet Pattern

The free pattern is below, but if you love to work offline, or need to order your yarn, I’ve got a couple other great options for you.

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF, including all photo tutorials, on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, and Etsy here.

Purchase the kit here! Lion Brand also has a full kit of the Centaur Mandala Afghan, available on their website. The kit includes your choice of 4 colorways and a printed copy of the pattern below.

Save this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.

Pin it for later here.

This post contains affiliate links.

Materials

• Yarn: DK Weight / 3 / Yarn (Lion Brand Yarns, Mandala, in Centaur was used for the sample in the photos) (150 g / 5.3oz / 590 yards / 540 meters / 100% acrylic) per cake – You’ll need approximately 3.75 cakes (2,200 yards) to make a 48″ x 48″ afghan (size shown in the photos).
• Crochet Hook: J/10/6.00mm (My favorite crochet hooks are the Clover Amour Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching)
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Many of these materials are available for purchase through our affiliates below: 

Skill Level

• Easy

Gauge

• Any
• Check out my Blanket Size Chart HERE, for standard blanket sizes. 

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch(s): chain(s)
• sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• yo: yarn over
• sp: space
• Rep: repeat
• Rnd: round
• puff st: single crochet puff stitch  (see special stitches below)
• 2 dc-cl: 2 double crochet cluster  (click HERE for tutorial)
• Alt-dc-cl: alternate double crochet cluster  (click HERE for tutorial)

Special Stitches

• Single Crochet Puff Stitch (puff st): Yo, insert your hook into the indicated stitch/space, yo and pull up a long loop, (yo, insert your hook into the same stitch/space, yo, and pull up a long loop) 4 more times, yo, pull through all 11 loops on your hook. Note: You typically close a puff stitch with a ch 1, but for this design, it is written to ch-1 after the stitch. This ch-1 is used to close the puff stitch and create the next ch-1 space in the design. So only work one ch 1 after each puff stitch, not 2 like you may be used to.
• Alternate Double Crochet – Double Crochet Cluster (alt-dc-cl): After turning your work, do not ch, instead, insert your hook into the first st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru both loops, insert your hook between the legs of the st just made, yo, pull up a loop, yo, insert your hook into the same stitch/space, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, pull thru remaining loops.  Click HERE for a complete tutorial.
• 2 Double Crochet Cluster (2 dc-cl): Yo, insert hook where indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, insert hook in same st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, pull thru remaining loops. Click HERE for a complete tutorial.

Notes

• I tend to crochet on the tighter side. You may need to go down a hook size (or two) to meet gauge if you crochet on the looser side.
• Turning chains are not included in stitch count.
• The first stitch of every row is worked into the same stitch as the turning chain, unless stated otherwise.
• Chains (for chain spaces) are included in stitch count. When reading the instructions, skipped stitches can be chains or stitches. 
• Yardage: 3.75 cakes (2,200 yards) made an afghan approximately 48″ x 48″.
• Check out my Blanket Size Chart HERE, for standard blanket sizes. 
• Yarns similar in fiber and weight can be substituted.
• Designer Tip! Use ANY weight yarn you’d like. I suggest using a hook size at least 1mm larger than what’s listed on the ball band of the yarn you’d like to use. Adjust hook size until you get the drape you’d like for your afghan.

Centaur Mandala Afghan Instructions

FIND ALL OF MY FREE CROCHET PATTERNS HERE