Unpopular opinion. I've never been a big fan of the Mandala® yarns from Lion Brand. I don't hate them, but I don't really like them either. I want to. I want to participate in the cult obsession around these yarns. I just can't get there. And I've tried many times. The colors look so beautiful in the cakes. But all of them (OG Mandala, Mandala Baby, Mandala Thick & Quick, etc) have a somewhat scratchy feel to me. Not the most offensive yarn I've touched for sure, but also nothing I want to work with. Are you sensing a trend in my sentiment here? It's kinda just eh. But look at the colors! Ahhh... I'm so torn.
For this review I got a cake of Mandala Thick & Quick in "Tentacle". The colors are vibrant. Gorgeous. My toddler is in love with the bright purples.
What Lion Brand says about the yarn:
Lion Brand® worked tirelessly to introduce Mandala® Thick and Quick®, a bulky version of the original that didn’t compromise on color or softness and we finally succeeded. It has brand new unexpected color combinations that crafters have come to expect from the Mandala® name, with subtle color changes and a superior hand.
The Stats: 87 yards; 150 grams; 100% Acrylic; Machine Wash & Dry
Knit vs Crochet
While writing the review for this yarn I worked up both a knit and crochet swatch and found that I preferred knitting with it more than I did crochet. The feel of both fabrics was pretty nice. You can definitely wear it against your skin. For someone that loves color, easy-care machine washibility, and thicker yarns this is a win. I wish I could pinpoint what my own personal block against it is. My verdict is you'll need to try it for yourself.
What To Make
Mandala Thick & Quick can be used for everything from hats and scarves to pillows and blankets. Being 100% acrylic (wearable by everyone) and machine washable opens this yarn up to a lot of possibilities. They only thing that holds it back in some instances is the color. There aren't many available at the moment (Feb. 2025) and you'll have t want vibrant stripes of color in your project. I would use this yarn for accessories (hats, mittens, cowls, scarves) or blankets. Particularly for kids.
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