The Lotus flower has so many meanings, mostly it is associated with purity and beauty.
To me it’s more than that, it’s strength, wisdom, hope, determination and of course beauty.
It’s a symbol of life struggles and the doubts we have about ourselves throughout life.
We all question if we are good enough, worthy enough, tall enough, slim enough, strong enough, beautiful enough?
But who’s to say, who’s worthy, who’s strong, who’s beautiful, No one is.
We just need to have faith in ourselves and remember, that beauty isn’t our reflection in the mirror, it’s our souls, our hearts and our minds.
It’s knowing our past and what we have conquered to get to where we are now.
It’s about standing tall when dealt plays havoc with our minds. It’s about having hope that when the days are darkened, that we can break through and shine.
It’s having the wisdom to know deep within our souls that you are strong enough to grow.

Take a closer look at the Lotus flower, even though it plunged to life from beneath the mud, it doesn’t allow the dirt that surrounds it to affect its growth and beauty. You can not fail to see how beautiful it is against the background of the dirty pond, to see its strength, determination and elegance.

Taking all this into account I decided to make a lapghan that was something more than, just something to wrap yourself up in on those winter evenings, or when your heart breaks, and for when the world seems against you.
I wanted to make something that would give more security, I wanted it to symbolise strength, wisdom, hope, determination and beauty.

I know instantly that Polly Plum’s, Lotus Moon, square  would be perfect for what I wanted to achieve.
I decided on a colour scheme using, Stylecraft Special Double Knit and Stylecraft Batik, in colours, White, Camel, Clarlet, Green, Bottle and Blank and Stylecraft Batik in Cream.
After making one square as a colour test, I decided I didn’t like it, the white just looked thin and I wasn’t happy with the overall look so it end up in the bin.
I than decided to use a single colour in Stylecraft Special Chunky, in the colour Parchment.
I went for chunky instead of double knit, because it would be that little bit warmer for those chilly winter days and evenings.
I planned on making, 12 Squares for a 3 Square by 4 squares Afghan, which would be joined together with the, Flat surface slip stitch join.

I was going to use Polly Plus’s “Lucy” or “June” Square border rounds as the border to the joined squares but at the last minute I changed my mind.

I set about starting the first square as a test and I wasn’t disappointed. In truth I only got to round 10 before I know I just had to continue and started the other 11 squares.

I made all 12 squares up to round 10

and then I continued, squaring them, falling more in love as they grow.
As planned I joined the squares with the flat surface slip stitch join, my least favourite part.

Once she was all stitched together, I was more than chuffed with how she was looking, she definitely was pulling on my heartstrings, I truly love it.

I went against my plans of using a detailed edging and decided on something very simple. It really doesn’t need anything fancy. In this case less is more.
I made a three round border consisting of

Round one – 2 Double Crochets chain 2, 2 Double Crochets in corner. Double Crochets across , with 1 Double Crochets in the chain spaces of each individual square corner space, 1 Front-Post Triple Crochet around the join, 1 Double Crochets in the chain space, continue across until the corner.

Round 2 – 2 Double Crochets, chain 2, 2 Double Crochets in corner. Double Crochet across.

Round 3 – Half Double Crochet, Double Crochet, Triple Crochet, picot-3, Triple Crochet, Double Crochet, Half Double Crochet in corner space,
Skip the hidden stitch, slip stitch in next stitch, skip 1 stitch, 5 Double Crochets in next stitch, skip 2 stitches, continue with Single crochets in every stitch across, stopping 6 stitches before every corner, skip 2 stitches , 5 Double Crochets in next stitch, skip 1 stitch , slip stitch in next stitch , skip 1 stitch and repeat until you have crocheted all the way around. Join with an invisible join to finish.

I’m pretty pleased with her, actually I love her. 😍
Lotus Moon Tiles Afghan ended up being approximately 45” x 55”, not a bad size to snuggle under.
I used 15 skeins of yarn, costing just under £30. £28.35 to be precise.
I started her on the 21st June and finished her on the 10th July, however I was only working on her when I needed a change from the other projects I’m currently working on. I have to do it this way as I get bored easily and need to stimulate my brain.
I would roughly say, she took about two weeks to make, which isn’t bad going considering I’m not the fastest crocheter out there.

 

 

Until next time, take care and enjoy the beautiful sunshine, it will be winter before we know it. ⛄️

🙈🙉🙊