purlJam

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# PASTEL GARDEN MANDALA SQUARE
### A 12"×12" Advanced Crochet Motif

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## DESCRIPTION

The Pastel Garden Mandala Square is a stunning, heirloom-quality crochet motif worked in the round from the center outward. It blends circular mandala architecture with a square frame, featuring four coordinating pastel colors and a rich variety of advanced textures — puff stitches, popcorn clusters, front-post relief work, and layered shell fans. This motif is equally beautiful as a standalone pillow front, framed textile art, bag panel, or repeated and joined into a throw or afghan. Each square measures a finished 12"×12" after blocking.

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:**
DK weight (CYCA #3), smooth or semi-smooth finish recommended for stitch definition.

| Color Label | Color Suggestion | Approx. Yardage |
|---|---|---|
| **Color A (CA)** | Soft Mint | 55 yards |
| **Color B (CB)** | Blush Rose | 60 yards |
| **Color C (CC)** | Pale Lavender | 65 yards |
| **Color D (CD)** | Butter Yellow | 45 yards |
| **Total** | | **approx. 225 yards** |

> **Yarn Note:** Shown in a DK-weight 100% cotton or cotton-blend yarn. Superwash DK merino also works beautifully and blocks to a flatter finish. Avoid overly fluffy or halo yarns — stitch definition is essential for this pattern.

**Hook:**
- US G-6 / 4.0 mm (primary)
- US E-4 / 3.5 mm (optional, for tighter center rounds if needed)

**Notions:**
- Scissors
- Yarn needle / tapestry needle
- Locking stitch markers (4)
- Rust-proof pins for blocking
- Blocking mat and/or towels
- Spray bottle with water (for blocking)

---

## GAUGE

**16 dc × 8 rows = 4" × 4" (10 cm × 10 cm)** worked in flat double crochet rows with US G-6 / 4.0 mm hook, after blocking.

> **Gauge is critical.** This motif is worked in the round, so your gauge swatch should be worked in the round as well. A gauge difference of even half a stitch per inch will affect your finished size. Adjust hook size as needed to match gauge.

**Approximate motif growth per round:** 0.5"–0.75" per round on straight sides once square shaping begins.

**Finished Size:** 12" × 12" (30.5 cm × 30.5 cm) after blocking.

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| **beg** | beginning |
| **BLO** | back loop only |
| **BP** | back post |
| **BPdc** | back post double crochet |
| **CA / CB / CC / CD** | Color A / Color B / Color C / Color D |
| **ch** | chain |
| **ch-sp** | chain space |
| **dc** | double crochet |
| **FP** | front post |
| **FPdc** | front post double crochet |
| **FPtr** | front post treble crochet |
| **hdc** | half double crochet |
| **MC** | magic ring / magic circle |
| **PM** | place marker |
| **pop** | popcorn stitch (see Special Stitches) |
| **puff** | puff stitch (see Special Stitches) |
| **rep** | repeat |
| **rnd** | round |
| **RS** | right side |
| **sc** | single crochet |
| **sk** | skip |
| **sl st** | slip stitch |
| **sp** | space |
| **st(s)** | stitch(es) |
| **tr** | treble crochet |
| **WS** | wrong side |
| **yo** | yarn over |
| **[ ]** | repeat instructions within brackets the stated number of times |
| **( )** | stitch count at end of round |

---

## SPECIAL STITCHES

**Puff Stitch (puff):**
[Yo, insert hook in indicated st or sp, yo, pull up a loop to height of hdc] 4 times in same st or sp (9 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 9 loops, ch 1 to close (ch 1 does NOT count as a stitch).

**Popcorn (pop):**
Work 5 dc in indicated st or sp. Remove hook from working loop. Insert hook from front to back through the top of the first dc of the group, pick up the dropped loop, pull through. Ch 1 to close (ch 1 does NOT count as a stitch).

**Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc):**
Yo, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the indicated stitch below, yo, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] twice.

**Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc):**
Yo, insert hook from back to front to back around the post of the indicated stitch below, yo, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] twice.

**Front Post Treble Crochet (FPtr):**
Yo twice, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the indicated stitch below, yo, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 3 times.

**Shell:**
5 dc worked in the same stitch or space.

**Large Shell:**
7 dc worked in the same stitch or space (used in corner spaces).

**Joined Round:**
Each round is joined with a sl st to the first stitch (or ch) of the round, unless otherwise noted. Do NOT turn between rounds. Always work with RS facing.

---

## PATTERN NOTES

1. **Right Side Always Facing:** This motif is worked entirely on the right side. Do not turn between rounds.
2. **Color Changes:** Fasten off at the end of each color section and rejoin with the next color as directed, unless the same color continues. This produces clean joins. Alternatively, carry unused colors if you are comfortable with that technique; however, fasten-off joins are recommended for cleanest results.
3. **Joining:** Each round is joined with a sl st to the top of the beginning chain or first stitch of that round.
4. **Beginning Chains:**
 - Ch 1 at start of round = does NOT count as a stitch.
 - Ch 2 at start of round = does NOT count as a stitch (used for positioning only in this pattern).
 - Ch 3 at start of round = COUNTS as 1 dc.
 - Ch 4 at start of round = COUNTS as 1 tr.
5. **Stitch Counts:** Stitch counts are given at the end of each round in parentheses ( ). Popcorn and puff stitches each count as 1 stitch. Corner ch-3 spaces are noted separately.
6. **Blocking:** This motif is designed to be blocked. Wet block or steam block to the finished 12"×12" measurement. Blocking is what opens up the shells and defines the puff and popcorn textures.
7. **Markers:** Place a stitch marker in each of the 4 corner chain-3 spaces once square shaping begins (Round 5). Move markers up as you go.
8. **Yarn Ends:** Weave all ends in securely on the WS, ideally along same-color stitches. With multiple colors, there will be numerous ends; a tapestry needle with a bent tip is helpful.

---

## COLORWORK CHART

The following chart maps the color used in each round of the motif. The motif grows from the center outward; colors are organized in a coordinated pastel sequence.

### CHART A: Color Sequence by Round

```
Round |  Color  | Main Texture
------|---------|-------------------------------
  1   |   CD    | Foundation ring (dc cluster)
  2   |   CA    | Puff stitches
  3   |   CB    | Chain arches
  4   |   CC    | Shell fans (circular)
  5   |   CD    | Transition to square / corners
  6   |   CA    | Front post relief round
  7   |   CB    | Popcorn round
  8   |   CC    | Shell fans (square)
  9   |   CA    | BLO single crochet ridge
 10   |   CD    | Puff stitch round
 11   |   CB    | Chain-and-dc mesh
 12   |   CC    | Large shell corner round
 13   |   CA    | FPtr relief fans
 14   |   CD    | Solid dc frame
 15   |   CB    | Popcorn accent round
 16   |   CC    | Shell border
 17   |   CA    | Dc fill round
 18   |   CD    | Final slip stitch edging
```

**Color Key:**
```
□ = CA (Soft Mint)
▣ = CB (Blush Rose)
◈ = CC (Pale Lavender)
● = CD (Butter Yellow)
```

### CHART B: Corner Architecture (Rounds 5–18)

Each corner is worked as: **dc, ch 3, dc** in the corner ch-3 space (unless otherwise specified). This is shown below as the corner "motif." Straight-side stitches fill in between corners and grow by the stitch count indicated.

```
CORNER UNIT (Symbol Chart, each corner, worked each round):
[ dc | ch | ch | ch | dc ]
  ↑                    ↑
 Left                Right
 arm                  arm
 of                   of
 side                 side
```

**How to read these charts:**
- Chart A is a reference table — consult it to know which color to use in each round.
- Chart B shows the anatomy of each corner unit. Each side of the square grows by 2 sts per corner-containing round (1 extra dc on each arm of each corner).
- All rounds are worked with RS facing; conceptually "read" the round in a counterclockwise direction (matching how the hook travels around the piece).

---

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### GETTING STARTED

Using CD (Butter Yellow) and US G-6 / 4.0 mm hook, create a magic ring (adjustable loop).

---

### ROUND 1 — CD (Butter Yellow)

Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 11 dc into the magic ring, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. Pull magic ring tail firmly closed.

**(12 dc)**

---

### ROUND 2 — CA (Soft Mint)

Fasten off CD. Join CA with a standing puff st in any st, ch 2, [puff in next st, ch 2] 11 times, sl st to top of first puff to join.

> **Standing Puff:** Begin exactly as puff stitch but without a slip knot join — insert hook into stitch with working yarn, draw up 4 sets of loops, complete as normal puff. This avoids a visible join chain.

**(12 puff sts, 12 ch-2 sps)**

---

### ROUND 3 — CB (Blush Rose)

Fasten off CA. Join CB with sl st to any ch-2 sp.

Ch 1 (does not count as st), sc in same ch-2 sp, ch 4, [sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 4] 11 times, sl st to first sc to join.

**(12 sc, 12 ch-4 arches)**

---

### ROUND 4 — CC (Pale Lavender)

Fasten off CB. Join CC with sl st to any ch-4 arch.

Ch 3 (counts as dc), 4 dc in same ch-4 arch (first shell made), ch 1, [shell (5 dc) in next ch-4 arch, ch 1] 11 times, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join.

**(12 shells = 60 dc, 12 ch-1 sps)**

> **Note:** The motif is still circular in shape at this point. The square shaping begins in Round 5.

---

### ROUND 5 — CD (Butter Yellow) ★ Square Shaping Begins ★

Fasten off CC. Join CD with sl st to ch-1 sp between any two shells.

**This round establishes the 4 corners of the square.** You will work 3 shells as the side sections (separated by ch-1 sps) and 1 corner unit at every 3rd ch-1 sp.

*Setup:* The 12 ch-1 sps from Round 4 divide evenly into 4 groups of 3 sps. The middle sp of each group of 3 becomes a corner.

Sl st to first ch-1 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc).

**Work as follows:**

*[Side section then corner — repeat 4 times total]:*

- Dc in same ch-1 sp (2 dc in corner sp counts as start), sk shell, **sc in ch-1 sp** (between shells 1 and 2 of side group), sk shell, **2 dc in next ch-1 sp** (this is the corner sp position); now work corner: ch 3, 2 dc in same sp (corner made). PM in this ch-3 corner sp. Sk shell, **sc in next ch-1 sp**, sk shell, **2 dc in next ch-1 sp** (end of side), then begin next rep.

> **Clarification for Round 5:** Work [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc] in every 3rd ch-1 sp (the middle sp of each group of 3) = corner. Work sc in the remaining ch-1 sps (the flanking sps) = side.

Complete round, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join.

**Round 5 count:**
- 4 corners × [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc] = 16 dc + 4 corner ch-3 sps
- 8 side ch-1 sps × 1 sc = 8 sc
- **(24 sts: 16 dc + 8 sc; 4 corner ch-3 sps)**

---

### ROUND 6 — CA (Soft Mint) — Front Post Relief Round

Fasten off CD. Join CA with sl st to top of any dc on a straight side.

Ch 3 (counts as dc), **FPdc around each dc and BPdc around each sc** across to corner sp, [3 dc in corner ch-3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same corner ch-3 sp] — corner made. PM in new ch-3 sp.

Repeat from * around all 4 sides and corners, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join.

**Stitch count per side (between corners):**
- Round 5 each side has: 2 dc, 1 sc, 2 dc = 5 sts.
- Round 6 adds 3 dc on each side of each corner = 6 added dc per corner across 4 corners.
- Per side: 5 sts + 3 dc (from left corner arm) + 3 dc (from right corner arm) = 11 sts per side.

**(11 sts × 4 sides = 44 sts; plus 4 corner ch-3 sps)**
**(Total: 44 sts + 4 corner ch-3 sps)**

---

### ROUND 7 — CB (Blush Rose) — Popcorn Round

Fasten off CA. Join CB with sl st to first st on any straight side.

Ch 1 (does not count as st).

**Side:** *Sc in first st, sk 1, pop in next st, sk 1, sc in next st; rep from * across side, working extra sc in any remaining sts to reach corner. (Each side: 11 sts → work 3 rep of [sc, sk, pop, sk, sc] = 11 sts consumed, placing pops at sts 3, 7, 11 of each side — adjust by working: sc, pop, sc, sc, pop, sc, sc, pop, sc, sc, sc = 11 sts. See note below.)

> **Round 7 Placement Note:** With 11 sts per side, place popcorns at positions 2, 5, 8, and 11 (every 3rd stitch, starting at position 2): sc, pop, sc, sc, pop, sc, sc, pop, sc, sc, sc = 11 sts per side, with 3 popcorns per side.

**Corner:** [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc] in corner ch-3 sp. PM in new ch-3 sp.

Work all 4 sides and corners the same.

Join with sl st to first sc.

**Side sts (per side):** 3 pop + 8 sc = 11 sts. Plus 2+2 dc at each corner = sides grow to 11 + 4 = 15 sts between corners (including corner arms).

**(15 sts × 4 sides = 60 sts; 4 corner ch-3 sps)**

---

### ROUND 8 — CC (Pale Lavender) — Shell Fan Round (Square)

Fasten off CB. Join CC with sl st to first st after any corner sp.

**Side:** Ch 3 (counts as dc). [Sk 2 sts, shell in next st, sk 2 sts, dc in next st] across side. Note: 15 sts per side allows: dc (the beg ch-3), sk2, shell, sk2, dc, sk2, shell, sk2, dc = uses 15 sts (1 + 2 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 5 + 2 + 1 ... ) — see placement note below.

> **Round 8 Side Placement:** 15 sts per side. Work: dc in 1st st, [sk 2, shell in next, sk 2, dc in next] twice = 1+2+5+2+1+2+5+2+1 = only 21 sts for 15 available. **Adjustment:** With 15 sts, work: dc in 1st st, sk 2, shell in 3rd st, sk 2, dc in 6th st, sk 2, shell in 9th st, sk 2, dc in 12th st, sk 2, dc in 15th st = uses 15 sts. This gives 2 shells + 4 single dc per side (total 2×5+4 = 14 sts placed + 1 boundary dc). **Simplest accurate version:** sc in 1st st, sk 2, shell in 3rd st, sk 2, sc in 6th st, sk 2, shell in 9th st, sk 2, sc in 12th st, [sc in each remaining st] to corner = 15 sts consumed with 2 shells per side.

**Corner:** [dc, ch 1, shell, ch 1, dc] in corner ch-3 sp. (This creates a large decorative corner fan.)

Work all sides and corners, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 (or first sc) to join.

**Stitch count:** Each side: 2 shells (10 dc) + 5 sc = 15 sts. Corner unit: dc + ch1 + shell + ch1 + dc = 7 dc + 2 ch-1 sps per corner.

**(60 side sts + 28 corner dc + 8 corner ch-1 sps; 4 corner ch-1 — ch-1 pairs replace ch-3 this round)**

> **Note:** Corner ch-1/shell/ch-1 corners replace the standard ch-3 corner this round only for decorative effect. In Round 9, resume treating the center of the corner shell (dc #3 of the 5-dc shell) as your pivot point, with new ch-3 corners worked in that center dc.

---

### ROUND 9 — CA (Soft Mint) — BLO Ridge Round

Fasten off CC. Join CA with sl st to BL of first st on any side.

Ch 1 (does not count as st). **Working in BLO throughout this round:**

Sc in BLO of each st across side. At corner, work [sc, ch 3, sc] in BLO of center dc of corner shell. PM in new ch-3 sp.

Work all sides and corners.

**Stitch count per side:** Side sts from Round 8 = 15 dc from shells + 5 sc from side + corner dc pairs. Total across each straight side (not including corner unit): approximately 17 sts. At corners, corner shell has 5 dc + 2 flanking dc = 7 dc.

**Calculating precisely:**
- Each full side (between corner pivots): Round 8 side = 2 shells (10 dc) + 5 sc = 15 sts. Plus 1 dc from each corner arm = 17 sts between corner pivot points.
- Corner: Center dc of corner shell = pivot. Work [sc, ch3, sc] here.

**Round 9 per side:** 17 sc in BLO. Corners: sc, ch-3, sc.

**(17 sc × 4 sides = 68 sc; plus 4 × 2 corner sc = 8 sc; total 76 sc + 4 corner ch-3 sps)**

---

### ROUND 10 — CD (Butter Yellow) — Puff Stitch Round

Fasten off CA. Join CD with sl st to any st on a straight side.

Ch 2 (does not count as st).

**Side:** [Puff in next st, ch 1, sk 1] across side, ending with dc in last st if needed to balance. Work puffs in every other stitch, with ch-1 between each puff.

**Corner:** [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc] in corner ch-3 sp. PM in new ch-3 sp.

**Side puff count:** 17 sts per side → [puff, ch1, sk1] × 8, dc in last st = 8 puffs + 8 ch-1 sps + 1 dc per side. Adjust to: puff in st 1, ch1, sk st 2, puff in st 3, ch1, sk st 4 … until all 17 sts consumed (gives 9 puffs per side with final puff possibly landing on st 17, or 8 puffs + edge sts — work to nearest clean multiple as gauge/yarn allows; end with dc at side boundary).

> **Working instruction (simplified):** Work [puff, ch 1, sk 1 st] across each side. Work final dc in last st before corner. Corner as above. Exact count: 8 puffs + 8 ch-1 sps + 1 dc per side.

**At each corner, the 2+2 dc adds sts:** each side now has 17 + 4 = 21 sts (including 2 dc from left corner arm + 2 dc from right corner arm of previous corners).

**(Per side: 9 puffs + 8 ch-1 sps + 2 dc [corner arms] ≈ 21 counted sts. 4 corner ch-3 sps.)**

---

### ROUND 11 — CB (Blush Rose) — Mesh Round

Fasten off CD. Join CB with sl st to any corner ch-3 sp.

Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2). Dc in same corner sp (first corner half made).

**Side:** [Ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in next st or puff top] across side. Work dc into tops of puff sts and into ch-1 sps as they appear naturally across the side.

**Corner:** At next corner ch-3 sp: [dc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, dc] in corner sp (3-dc corner fan with ch-2 sps). PM in center dc of this 3-dc group.

> **Corner change for Round 11:** The corner is now a 3-dc fan [dc, ch2, dc, ch2, dc] to accommodate the growing width and create a more refined corner.

**Mesh count per side:** Approximately 21 sts per side → 7 mesh repeats of [ch2, sk2, dc] = 7 dc + 7 ch-2 sps per side.

**(Per side: 8 dc + 7 ch-2 sps = 15 units. 4 corner 3-dc fans with ch-2 sps.)**

---

### ROUND 12 — CC (Pale Lavender) — Large Shell Corner Round

Fasten off CB. Join CC with sl st to any corner center dc (from Round 11 3-dc fan).

Ch 3 (counts as dc).

**Corner:** [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in same corner center dc (large shell corner). PM in new ch-3 sp. (This is a 7-dc group with ch-3 corner.)

**Side:** Working into Round 11 mesh: dc in each dc and 2 dc in each ch-2 sp across side. This fills in the mesh to create a solid side.

**Side fill count:** Per side = 8 dc (from mesh dc) + 7 ch-2 sps × 2 dc = 8 + 14 = 22 dc per side. Plus 3 dc from each corner arm = 28 dc per side between corners.

**Corner dc addition:** Each [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] corner adds 3 dc to each side arm.

**(28 dc × 4 sides = 112 dc + 4 corner [3 dc, ch3, 3 dc] = 24 dc corners + 4 ch-3 sps; Total counted sts: 136 dc + 4 corner ch-3 sps)**

---

### ROUND 13 — CA (Soft Mint) — FPtr Relief Fan Round

Fasten off CC. Join CA with sl st to any st on a straight side (not a corner).

Ch 4 (counts as tr).

**Side:** FPtr around the corresponding dc of Round 11 (2 rounds below — reach down and post around those mesh dc), pulling up to height of Round 13. Work FPtr every 4th st across the side (alternating with dc in current round sts as follows):

[Dc in next 3 sts, FPtr around corresponding st 2 rounds below] across side.

**Corner:** [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc] in corner ch-3 sp. PM in new ch-3 sp.

**Side count:** 28 sts per side → 7 repeats of [dc, dc, dc, FPtr] = 7 FPtr + 21 dc per side = 28 sts. Corner adds 2+2 dc → 32 sts per side.

**(32 sts × 4 sides = 128 sts + 4 corner ch-3 sps)**

---

### ROUND 14 — CD (Butter Yellow) — Solid DC Frame

Fasten off CA. Join CD with sl st to first st of any straight side.

Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in each st across side. At corner: [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc] in corner ch-3 sp. PM in new ch-3 sp.

**Side count:** 32 sts per side + 2 dc (corner arm, left) + 2 dc (corner arm, right) = 36 dc per side.

**(36 dc × 4 = 144 dc + 4 corner ch-3 sps)**

---

### ROUND 15 — CB (Blush Rose) — Popcorn Accent Round

Fasten off CD. Join CB with sl st to 2nd st of any straight side.

Ch 1 (does not count as st).

**Side:** Sc in 1st st, [pop in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts] across side, ending sc in last st.

**Corner:** [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc] in corner ch-3 sp. PM in new ch-3 sp.

**Popcorn placement:** 36 sts per side → [sc, pop, sc, sc, sc] × 7 = 35 sts, sc in 36th st. = 7 pops + 29 sc per side. Corner adds 2+2 dc = 40 sts per side.

**(40 sts × 4 sides = 160 sts + 4 corner ch-3 sps)**

---

### ROUND 16 — CC (Pale Lavender) — Shell Border Round

Fasten off CB. Join CC with sl st to any corner ch-3 sp.

Ch 3 (counts as dc), [2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in same corner sp — first corner made. PM in new ch-3 sp.

**Side:** [Sk 2 sts, shell in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st] across side until 2 sts remain before corner. Sc in next st, sk last st, work corner as above.

**Corner:** [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in corner ch-3 sp.

**Shell placement on side:** 40 sts → [sk2, shell, sk2, sc] × 5 = 5 repeats × 8 sts = 40 sts = 5 shells + 5 sc per side. Corner adds 3+3 dc = 46 counted sts per side.

**(Per side: 5 shells [25 dc] + 5 sc = 30 sts + 3+3 corner dc = 36 sts per side between corner ch-3 sps. 4 corners [3dc, ch3, 3dc]. Total: 144 side sts + 24 corner dc + 4 ch-3 sps.)**

---

### ROUND 17 — CA (Soft Mint) — DC Fill Round

Fasten off CC. Join CA with sl st to first st on any straight side.

Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in each st across side (working 1 dc in each dc and 1 dc in each sc — including over shell tops: dc in each of the 5 dc of each shell individually).

**Corner:** [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc] in corner ch-3 sp. PM in new ch-3 sp.

**Side fill:** 36 sts per side → dc in each = 36 dc. Corner adds 2+2 = 40 dc per side.

**(40 dc × 4 = 160 dc + 4 corner ch-3 sps)**

---

### ROUND 18 — CD (Butter Yellow) — Final Slip Stitch Edging

Fasten off CA. Join CD with sl st to any corner ch-3 sp.

Ch 1. **Working in BLO throughout:**

Sc in each st across each side. At each corner: [sc, ch 3, sc] in corner ch-3 sp.

**Final side count check:** 40 dc per side → 40 sc per side + 2 corner sc = 42 sc per side unit.

**(40 sc × 4 sides = 160 sc + 4 × [2 sc + ch-3] corners = 8 sc; Total: 168 sc + 4 corner ch-3 sps)**

Fasten off CD. Weave in end.

---

## FINISHING

### Weaving In Ends
Using a tapestry needle, weave each yarn end through at least 1.5" of same-color stitches on the WS. Do not cut ends shorter than 6" before weaving. For security, weave in a figure-8 path or reverse direction partway through.

### Blocking (Essential)
1. Fill a basin with cool water and a drop of wool wash (or plain cool water for cotton).
2. Submerge the motif gently and allow it to soak for 15–20 minutes until thoroughly saturated.
3. Gently press out excess water (do not wring).
4. Roll in a dry towel and press to remove more moisture.
5. Lay flat on blocking mat. Using rust-proof pins, pin each corner to the 12"×12" target dimensions first.
6. Pin along each side, gently stretching to even dimensions. Pin every 1/2"–1" along edges.
7. Allow to dry completely — 24–48 hours depending on humidity and yarn fiber content.
8. For DK cotton: mist with spray bottle and pin; cotton may need more aggressive pinning.
9. For DK merino: steam blocking with a steam iron (hover, do not press) also works beautifully.

---

## YARDAGE SUMMARY BY ROUND

| Rounds | Color | Estimated Yardage |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 5, 10, 14, 18 | CD — Butter Yellow | ~45 yds |
| 2, 6, 9, 13, 17 | CA — Soft Mint | ~55 yds |
| 3, 7, 11, 15 | CB — Blush Rose | ~60 yds |
| 4, 8, 12, 16 | CC — Pale Lavender | ~65 yds |
| **Total** | | **~225 yds** |

---

## DESIGNER TIPS

- **Tight center?** Use a 3.5 mm hook for Rounds 1–3, then switch to 4.0 mm for all subsequent rounds. This prevents the center from cupping.
- **Visible joins?** Use the *standing stitch* technique to begin each new color: work the first stitch as a standing stitch rather than beginning with a sl st and chain. This eliminates the bump of a traditional join.
- **Popcorns popping to WS?** If your popcorns are pushing to the back, ensure you are inserting the hook from *front to back* when completing the popcorn and that you are consistently working on the RS throughout.
- **Puff stitch tension?** All loops should be pulled up to the same consistent height (equal to an hdc = about 1/2"). Keep your non-hook hand lightly controlling the loops on the hook as you work.
- **Joining multiple motifs?** Use the join-as-you-go (JAYG) method on the final Round 18 to join motifs seamlessly. Replace [ch 3] at each corner with [ch 1, sl st to corresponding corner of adjacent motif, ch 1] and replace alternating sc sts with [sl st to corresponding st of adjacent motif] along shared edges.

---

*Pattern © Pastel Garden Mandala Square | For personal use and small-batch crafting. Please credit designer when sharing finished objects online. Do not redistribute or resell this pattern.*

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