Here begins our journey. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac — the starting point, the moment a new cycle begins. Its energy is pure impulse. Strength. The desire to move, to act, to begin. The motto is simple: “Forward.” But here’s the thing: when we start something new, we have the energy — but not yet the experience. Not yet the knowledge. Just the raw urge to grow.
That’s where we are now. Rounds 1–9 are not just the first stitches of a mandala. They are the first moments of a seed waking up in dark soil. You don’t need to know where this path will lead. You just need to trust the impulse and begin.
Crochet Terms: US
Abbreviations: st – stitch, sl-st – slip stitch, ch – chain, sc – single crochet, hdc – half double crochet, dc – double crochet, tr – treble crochet, dtr – double treble crochet, fp – front post, bp – back post, bl – back loop, tbl – third back loop, cluster of 2dc – yarn over, insert hook into indicated stitch or space, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat once more in same stitch or space. 3 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops, cluster of 3dc – yarn over, insert hook into indicated stitch or space, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat twice more in the same stitch or space. 4 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops, clusters of 2tr – yarn over twice, insert hook into indicated stitch or space, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice. Repeat once more time in the same stitch or space. 3 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops, cluster of 3tr – yarn over twice, insert hook into indicated stitch or space, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice. Repeat two more times in the same stitch or space. 4 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops, Popcorn – 5dc in same st, remove hook from loop and insert from front to back of 1st dc and into a dropped loop and pull through. To close popcorn ch1. Ch1 counts as a part of popcorn st.
ROUND 1 (Color A). Slip knot, ch3, insert hook into 1st chain, yarn over and pull through to form a ring, ch2 (does not count as stitch), 16dc into ring. Join to 1st dc with a sl-st. Stitch count: 16 dc
ROUND 2 (Color A). ch1 (does not count as stitch), sc in same st, *ch2, fpdc around next st, ch2, sc in next st*, repeat ** 8 times, omit last sc. Join to 1st sc with a sl-st, fasten off, and secure ends. Stitch count: 8 sc, 8 fpdc, 16 ch2 spaces
ROUND 3 (Color B). Working behind round 2 sc in any dc of round 1 around which is made fpdc of round 2, *ch3, working behind round 2 sc in next st dc of round 1 around which is made fpdc of round 2*, repeat ** 8 times, omit last sc. Join to standing sc with a sl-st. Stitch count: 8 sc, 8 ch3 spaces
ROUND 4 (Color B). ch1 (does not count as stitch), fpsc around same st, *ch2, popcorn in ch3 space, ch2, fpsc around next st*, repeat ** 8 times, omit last fpsc. Join to 1st fpsc with a sl-st, fasten off, and secure ends. Stitch count: 8 fpsc, 8 popcorns, 16 ch2 spaces
ROUND 5 (Color C). Join with a standing fpsc around any popcorn, *ch2, working in front of round 3 and 4 3tr cluster in fpdc of round 2, ch2, fpsc around next popcorn of round 4*, repeat ** 8 times, omit last fpsc. Join to standing fpsc with a sl-st. Stitch count: 8 fpsc, 8 3tr clusters, 16 ch2 spaces
ROUND 6 (Color C). ch1 (does not count as stitch), sc in same st, *ch2, skip ch2 space, in next st (3dc cluster, ch3, 3dc cluster), ch2, skip ch2 space, sc in next st*, repeat ** 8 times, omit last sc. Join to 1st sc with a sl-st, fasten off, and secure ends. Stitch count: 8 sc, 16 3dc clusters, 8 ch3 spaces, 16 ch2 spaces
ROUND 7 (Color B). Join with a standing fpsc around any 1st 3dc cluster made in the same st, *7sc in ch3 space, fpsc around next st, around fpsc of round 5 (fpdc, ch1, fpdc), skip (ch2, sc, ch2 of round 6), fpsc around next st*, repeat ** 8 times, omit last fpsc. Join to standing fpsc with a sl-st, fasten off, and secure ends. Stitch count: 56 sc, 16 fpsc, 16 fpdc, 8 ch1 spaces
ROUND 8 (Color D). Join with a standing sc in 4th sc of any 7sc group, *ch1, skip next 5 sts, in ch1 space (2tr cluster, [ch2, 2tr cluster] 3 times), ch1, skip next 5 sts, sc in next st*, repeat ** 8 times, omit last sc. Join to standing sc with a sl-st, fasten off, and secure ends. Stitch count: 8 sc, 16 ch1 spaces, 24 ch2 spaces, 32 2tr clusters
ROUND 9 (Color A). Join with a standing fpsc around 3rd cluster of any 4 cluster group, *3sc in ch2 space, fpsc around next st, {sc in ch1 space, fpsc around next st} 2 times, [3sc in ch2 space, fpsc around next st] 2 times*, repeat ** 8 times, omit last fpsc. Join to standing fpsc with a sl-st. Stitch count: 88 sc, 40 fpsc
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