Good afternoon! I am very excited to share Esther Dijkstra’s new book, Mix and Match Mandalas, with you.
Most of you will know Esther from her very detailed video tutorials on It’s All in a Nutshell. In this capacity, she is linked to, and has provided videos for, a staggering number of very popular crochet-alongs and patterns, and we have worked together on quite a few of my patterns over the last decade.
She is also an accomplished designer, with the gorgeous Nuts About Squares CAL, Trinity Mandalas, and the stunning Enigma Blanket being some of her most popular designs.
Mix and Match Madalas is Esther’s first book. It is worth mentioning that she self-published, overseeing every aspect of the publication. When I went to the Netherlands in March to celebrate the launch of my Charlotte’s Universe book, we had the opportunity to catch up and talk about the self-publishing journey. It sounded so daunting to me, and I was amazed at all the things she had learnt along the way… and impressed by her determination and drive.
The result is a beautiful, clean book, with a spacious layout, gorgeous photos, and easy-to-follow instructions. There are more cool features, but before I get into those, let me tell you what this book actually IS.
It may not be obvious, but I LOVE a bit of mixing and matching. It makes so much sense to me to design your patterns so that they intersect at some point as far as size and stitch count goes. That way, people can use the patterns interchangeably. You may have noticed this with Sophie’s Universe and Charlotte’s Universe, where the central squares (the ‘gardens’) are interchangeable.
Esther clearly feels the same way, turning this philosophy into a modular, crochet-your-own adventure – where every section is an invitation to pause, play, and explore your own rhythm and colour story.
Mix and Match Mandalas contains the following patterns:
3 small mandalas
3 medium mandala extensions
3 large mandala extensions
Thanks to the modular structure (3 Small, 3 Medium, 3 Large), you can create 27 different Large mandalas and 39 unique combinations across all sizes. That is before you even START thinking about yarn and colour combinations. The joy lies in how endlessly adaptable the format is, encouraging you to linger with each round and savour the creative journey.
Here is the version I made, using Small Mandala I, Medium Mandala III, and Large Mandala III. The colours were inspired by a beautiful bouquet I got for my birthday.
And if you want to think outside the box, it also offers you the opportunity to use these iterations to grow other mandala patterns (as long as they have the same stitch count), creating a crochet-your-own adventure that extends far beyond the pages of this beautiful book. I hope Esther will, at some point, share Extra Large options too… hint… hint… Or squaring!!!! Oooooh…..
One of my favourite things about this book is how gently it invites you to slow down. There is no rush – just round after round of calm, colourful exploration. Whether you follow one of Esther’s suggested combinations or invent your own, the experience feels grounded, meditative, and deeply personal.
The book is available in English (US) and Dutch, both as a paperback and an eBook.
You can find more information on Esther’s website HERE, including links to buy the book, kits to make the mandalas (with mandala rings included), and information about an upcoming Make-along featuring these patterns.
You can also hop straight to the pattern HERE on Ravelry.
And the VERY best bit? The book contains a QR code that will take you to the video tutorials (right and left-handed). It’s also worth mentioning that the book includes beautiful, clear charts by the talented Masako Kawahara.
Giveaway
Esther has kindly gifted me two English copies of her book to give away – both signed and packaged by Esther.
I will be choosing one winner from Instagram and one winner from this blog (for those of you who aren’t on social media). If you would like the chance to win one of these copies, please either comment on Esther’s Instagram post HERE, or leave a comment on this post, telling me which of Esther’s Designs is your favourite. You may want to have a look at her Ravelry listings HERE.
The giveaway will be open worldwide until the 6th of July. I will choose the winners (in some fun random way) on the 7th of July.
You can find Esther HERE:
And before I go, just one more photo of the Mandala I made, using Scheepjes Cotton 8 and a 3.25mm hook. I loved making it SO much!
This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use. All opinions are my own.
Danielle Theron says
The Mandalas are beautiful.. Such delicate colors. Would be hard to choose a favorite one. Love them
Nici Nesbit says
I love Esthers videos – she explains so much truly in a nutshell – the enigma blanket is my favorite – she just makes me happy while working her art.
Stefanie Wendler-Canning says
Thank you for allowing me to these books. I have borrowed a mandala book from the library sine time ago… it got me into trying your blankets which have made multiple of.
I will definitely look out for the book or see whether I can get the library to buy it in the future. Love the different sizes and resourcing the triptych. I’m a person who prefers to work from a book and I wish there was a book for each of your blankets, not just Charlotte. Glad I’ll be able to follow these mandalas on paper while I watch TV
Peg Regula says
My daughter is an Art Teacher but personally drawing Mandalas is her passion. Her colors are so vivid. I am going to crochet a few for her.
Kari says
They’re all so lovely, I can’t just pick one! But if I must, I really do like the trinity mandalas.
Charlotte Petry says
That was a hard choice, but I’m going to have to say the Enigma Blanlet. I’ve made several Sophie’s Universe, and am currently working on my first Charlotte’s Universe, in the Scrumptious Colourway, and the Enigma Blanket reminds me of them. They’re always so much fun to do, and everyone LOVES them when they see them all done.
Nanci St John says
I was introduced to Esther when I made my first Sophie’s Universe. Esther is so clever, i have made several of her designs including Nuts About Squares Trinity Mandalas and the Bird Feet Basket. I’m looking forward to making a few mandalas soon.
Pat Muddle says
Ooh the very word ” Mandala” gets me excited to pick up the hook and begin crocheting! Mandalas are so versatile and beautiful, can make awesome wall art, in any home.
I love Snowflake blanket oh to be so talented and creative sigh.
Ingrid Park says
What’s nice about a mandala is that you can make a small one if you feel like a little project, or you can make those amazing huge ones if you feel like being challenged. There’s such a huge variety. After reading your blog I’m fascinated by Esther’s brain to come up with such an idea to make interchangeable mandalas. Imagine all the Maths involved! I think it’s fantastic to see her journey from the Sophie videos to publishing her own book with her own designs. Well done Esther you are truly an inspiration.
Jody Ouradnik says
I’m loving the Enigma Mandala … probably because there are so many things in my life that are up in the air right now, so it feels like a big puzzle … an enigma. Crochet helps provide focus that is outside of all the other craziness. Thanks to both you and Esther for providing inspiration for future projects!
Dedri Uys says
xxx
Martha says
I love the Enigma Blanket. The colors, design and well, just everything.
Nanci says
I was introduced to Esther when I made my first Sophie’s Universe. Esther is so clever, i have made several of her designs including Nuts About Squares Trinity Mandalas and the Bird Feet Basket. I’m looking forward to making a few mandalas soon.
Kim Lu says
Wow, these Mandalay are all so lovely! I honestly cannot choose one as a favorite over the others. I relied on Esther’s video on making a Tunisian 10 stitch blanket & I’m grateful for her help. I wish her the best of success with her mandala book.
Nadine van Rensburg says
I love, love making mandalas! , especially between bigger projects or on road trip or holiday as it’s so convenient not having to carry a large project around . I really like the Trinity Mandala as I enjoy making a variation of stitches and get bored easily with repetition.
Dedri Uys says
They definitely are a blessing for those in-between moments. Why is making circular items so satisfying??