🌟 The Starflower Lace Mandala Square

Welcome, crochet enthusiasts! Get ready to hook a motif that is an absolute showstopper. This square is designed to have a captivating depth, starting with a dense floral center that blossoms out into intricate lacework and finishes with a sharp, geometric frame. It’s the perfect size and complexity for an heirloom-quality blanket, pillow, or wall hanging.

This pattern is written using U.S. Crochet Terminology.

✨ Materials & Gauge

Icon	Item	Notes
🧶	Yarn	Approx. 75–100 yards of a lightweight cotton or acrylic yarn (fingering, sport, or light worsted weight). Cotton thread (Size 10) can also be used for a smaller, more delicate doily square.
鉤	Crochet Hook	A hook size appropriate for your yarn. I recommend a 3.0 mm to 3.5 mm hook for a standard size or a 1.75 mm steel hook for thread.
✂️	Tools	Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and scissors.
📏	Gauge	The finished square should measure approximately 6′′×6′′ after blocking. The dense floral center (after Rnd 3) should measure about 1.5′′ across.

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📚 Stitches & Special Techniques

Mastering these stitches and abbreviations will ensure your square looks perfect:

Stitch	Abbreviation	Description
Chain	ch	Yarn over, pull through loop on hook.
Slip Stitch	sl st	Insert hook, yarn over, pull through work and loop on hook.
Single Crochet	sc	Standard single crochet.
Double Crochet	dc	Standard double crochet.
Treble Crochet	tr	Standard treble crochet (yarn over twice).
Picot	P	ch 3, sl st into the first ch made.
Standing Stitch	StSC/StDC	A method to start a new round without a slip stitch and chain. (Start with a sl knot on hook, insert hook, complete stitch). Use if preferred, otherwise use ch-3 for dc.

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🌸 Part 1: The Floral Medallion Center (Rounds 1–5)

We begin working in the round to create the solid, textured core.

Foundation:

ch 4, sl st into the first ch to form a ring.

Round 1:

ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).
Work 12 sc into the ring.
sl st to the first sc to join. (12 sc)

Round 2 (Petal Bases):

ch 1.
sc in the first st.
ch 4.
Skip 1 st.
sc in the next st.
Repeat from ** around.
End with ch 4. sl st to the first sc to join. (6 ch-4 loops)

Round 3 (Petals):

sl st into the first ch-4 space.
ch 3 (counts as first dc).
Work 3 dc, ch 1, 4 dc in the same ch-4 space. (This is a Petal).
sc in the next sc.
Work 4 dc, ch 1, 4 dc in the next ch-4 space.
sc in the next sc.
Repeat from ** around.
sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (6 Petals)

Round 4 (Lace Webbing):

ch 1.
sc in the first dc.
ch 5.
sc in the ch-1 space at the peak of the petal.
ch 5.
sc in the 4th dc of the same petal.
sc in the sc between petals.
Repeat from ** around.
sl st to the first sc to join. (12 ch-5 loops)

Round 5 (Defining the Star):

sl st into the first ch-5 space until you reach the center (3rd ch).
ch 1.
sc in the center of the ch-5 space.
ch 5.
In the next sc (the one at the petal peak), work (tr, ch 2, tr) (this forms the Star Point).
ch 5.
sc in the center of the next ch-5 space.
Repeat from ** around.
sl st to the first sc to join. (6 Star Points, 6 sc, 12 ch-5 loops)

📐 Part 2: Squaring the Star (Rounds 6–8)

This section transitions the circular/star shape into the foundation for the square border.

Round 6:

ch 3 (counts as first dc).
4 dc in the starting ch-5 space.
5 dc in the next ch-5 space.
Corner: In the ch-2 space of the Star Point, work (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr).
5 dc in the next ch-5 space.
5 dc in the next ch-5 space.
Corner: In the ch-2 space of the next Star Point, work (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr).
Repeat the Side (2 x 5 dc blocks) and Corner pattern twice more.
sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (4 Corners, 4 Sides)

Round 7 (The Star Points):

ch 1.
sc in each of the first 5 dc.
ch 3.
Skip 4 dc.
sc in the last 5 dc before the corner.
Corner: In the ch-2 space, work (sc, ch 5, sc).
Repeat from ** around.
sl st to the first sc to join.

Round 8 (Diagonal Mesh):

ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2).
Skip 2 sc. dc in the next sc.
ch 2.
dc in the center (2nd ch) of the ch-3 space.
ch 2.
Skip 2 sc. dc in the next sc.
ch 2.
Skip 2 sc. dc in the next sc.
Corner: In the ch-5 space, work (dc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, dc).
Repeat from ** around, ending with ch 2 and sl st to the 3rd ch of the starting ch-5.

💎 Part 3: The Geometric Border (Rounds 9–10)

This final section adds the geometric lacework and the small decorative clusters that frame the motif.

Round 9 (Small Flower/Cluster Edging):

ch 1.
sc in the first dc.
ch 3.
In the next ch-2 space, work (3 dc, P, 3 dc) (this creates the Clover Cluster).
ch 3.
sc in the next dc.
ch 3.
sc in the next dc.
ch 3.
Corner: In the center ch-2 space of the corner, work (tr, ch 3, tr).
ch 3.
Repeat from ** around.
sl st to the first sc to join.

Round 10 (Final Square Frame):

sl st into the ch-3 space.
ch 5 (counts as tr + ch 1).
tr in the same ch-3 space.
ch 1.
sc in the P of the Clover Cluster.
ch 1.
tr in the next ch-3 space.
ch 3.
tr in the next ch-3 space.
ch 1.
sc in the ch-3 space.
ch 1.
Corner: In the corner ch-3 space, work (tr, ch 5, tr).
Repeat from ** around, replacing the starting ch 5 with a ch 2 and sl st to the 3rd ch of the starting ch-5 to join the last corner.

Video Tutorial:

📌 Finishing and Blocking

Secure Ends: Fasten off your yarn, leaving a tail long enough to weave in securely. Use your tapestry needle to carefully weave in all loose ends on the back side of your work.
Blocking (Crucial!): To make sure the star points and the final geometric frame are crisp and straight, blocking is non-negotiable.
1. Dampen your square thoroughly (a gentle soak works best).
2. Carefully pin the square to a flat, padded surface, pulling gently but firmly on the four outermost chain-5 corner spaces and the side points. Ensure all four sides are perfectly straight and the corners form 90∘ angles.
3. Allow the motif to dry completely before unpinning.

You now have a magnificent Starflower Lace Mandala Square! What incredible project will you create by joining these exquisite motifs?