Desteje combines yoga and crochet in the Manipura Shawl, an easy pattern inspired by a lotus flower
Hello! I am Vanessa @Desteje, yoga teacher and crochet addict. I love designing crochet patterns, focusing on them from a therapeutic point of view. Crochet has a lot of benefits that help us enhance our self esteem and creativity. It also strengthens social ties, stimulates communication and creates a lot of satisfaction. However, above all, it reduces stress and anxiety. I bring my knowledge to my crochet classes to create a space full of wellbeing and relaxation. On this occasion, I have designed the Manipura shawl, inspired by the third chakra and made with 5 balls of Katia SeaCell Cotton. The chakras, or energy vortexes, are located along the spine and energize the body. Their function is to promote physical, emotional and mental health in order to create a state of spiritual equilibrium. Each chakra is assigned a colour, Manipura is represented by the lotus flower with 10 yellow petals.
You have the power to choose
When a state of harmony is reached it can lead to attributes of both willingness and determination. As a result, it facilitates the expression of our talents, paving the way to serenity and the capacity to relate to others. Its message is: “you have the power to choose”. You can lay your hands on top of your navel, in the solar plexus region, and close your eyes. Take three slow, deep, conscious breaths whilst focusing all your attention on your hands. Then, visualize a radiant yellow coloured sun inside you that is filling you with warmth and light. Repeat the message in your mind, feeling it radiate from your heart: “I have the power to choose”. Perform the visualization while wearing the Manipura shawl. As a result, you will always be reminded of this moment of well being whenever wearing it.
Manipura Shawl by @DESteje
Measurements: Width 12 5/8” (32 cm) x Length 69 1/4” (176 cm)
Materials: 4 balls of Katia SeaCell Cotton col. 102, 1 ball of Katia SeaCell Cotton col. 104; Crochet hook: G6 (U.S.)/(4 mm), wool sewing needle and scissors.
Abbreviations
- ch st – chain stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- ss – slip stitch
- inc – increase: work two dc in the same stitch
- dec – decrease: work two dc together
- R(s) – row(s)
- rep – repeat
- st(s) – stitch(es)
Gauge: Using the size G6 hook in dc: 17 sts & 10 rows = 4×4” (10×10 cm)
Notes: the Manipura shawl is made in two parts, the main body part and the border. The shawl is worked flat in rows going back and forth. Turn the work at the end of each row and work 3 ch sts to raise up the work. The 3 ch sts count as one st.
Main body section
Using Katia SeaCell Cotton col. 102, make a magic ring and fill it with 3 ch sts and 2 dc.
R1-50: work dc in each dc on the row below, 1 inc in the third ch st of the 3 that raise up the work. (Total: 52 dc at the end of R50).
R51-101: dc in each dc on the row below.
R102-150: dc in each dc on the row below, 1 dec in the third ch st of the 3 that raise up the work.
R151: finish with 3 dc.
Work the lower part of the shawl with the same colour in the following manner: 2 sc in each ch st and dc at the side (306 sc in total), cut the yarn and fasten off.
Border edge
Using Katia SeaCell Cotton col. 104, join the yarn to the lower edge of the shawl and work one row in sc.
Work 1 dc in the same ch st that raises up the work, 2 dc, 4 ch sts, turn work, ss in the third ch st that raises up the work, 3 ch sts, turn work, 6 dc in the 4 ch st gap.
* 4 dc, 4 ch sts, turn work, insert hook in the separation space of the 4 dc and draw it out through the 4 ch st gap of the previous wave, ss, 1 ch st, turn work, 7 dc in the 4 ch st gap*.
Repeat from * to * until there are a total of 76 waves.
Work 2 dc and 2 dc in the last sc, 4 ch sts, turn work, insert the hook in the separation space of the 4 dc and draw it out through the 4 ch st gap of the previous wave, ss, 1 ch st, turn work, 7 sc in the 4 ch st space. Cut the yarn and fasten off.
