How to Crochet Mala Beads

Malas were traditionally wooden.

Mala, also called jap mala, are traditional Buddhist prayer beads, originally made of wood or bone. They first originated in India and were brought to the western world by the Romans, where they were adapted as rosary beads. Today, Buddhists and Christians both repeat prayers using prayer beads to keep count. This pattern describes the traditional 108-bead Buddhist mala, but could be adjusted to crochet a Christian rosary, as well. The Buddhist mala contains 108 separate beads, a larger bead known as the "Guru bead" and a finishing knot or tassel. This pattern uses an easy-to-make tassel.

Things You'll Need

• Worsted weight yarn
• Size F crochet hook (3.75 mm)
• 2 yarn needles
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Make your guru bead. Chain 3 times. Double crochet 4 times in the third chain from the hook. Remove your hook without pulling out the loop. Insert the hook into the top of the first double crochet and pull the loop through to finish the Guru bead.

2. Crochet your first small bead. Chain twice. Yarn over. Insert hook in the second chain from the hook and pull up a loop so there are 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over again and pull up a loop again for a total of 5 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all the loops on the hook to create your bead.

3. Crochet each bead in the same way as the first. Crochet 108 beads for a traditional mala, 54 beads for a half mala.

4. Make your tassel. Cut 20 strands of yarn or 40 strands of a finer thread, each 6 inches long. Cut 2 strands 12 inches long. Stretch one 12-inch thread across your work surface and lay the 6-inch strands cross-wise across it. Pull the 12-inch strand up and tie it tightly. Fold the 6-inch threads down away from the 12-inch tie and wrap the second 12-inch strand around them several times, about 1/4 inch below the first tie. Tie the second 12-inch tie securely using a double knot and tuck the ends up inside the folded portion of the tassel.

5. Connect your tassel to your guru bead using the two loose ends of the first 12-inch tie. Thread each end through a yarn needle and thread through the middle of the guru bead. Tie in a double knot at the top of the bead. Weave in the loose ends and cut any extra thread with scissors. You've finished your mala!

Tips & Warnings

• The Guru bead is basically a stand-alone popcorn stitch, and the smaller beads are made using a modified puff stitch.

References

• Sakura Designs: What is a Mala?