The Buddhist 8 fold path: Right view. Right intention. Right speech. Right action. Right livelihood. Right effort. Right mindfulness. Right concentration.
The lotus-like center, and the 8 main petals brought the 8-fold path to mind when I worked on this pattern. No matter your beliefs, this path is a good way to live.

I worked this with Aunt Lydia’s Cotton #10, and a 1.75mm hook, and it came out to 10 inches. In the pattern, I showed how you can add a metal craft ring if desired. I didn’t measure gauge, because it really doesn’t matter! You can use any yarn and hook you’d like. Made in a larger size, it would make a wonderfully textured pillow.
I used a total of 13 colors, but again, you can make it your own by using any that you wish!

The petals overlap, creating a lot of dimension. There are a number of techniques used, including overlay and post stitches. I would never say that a pattern is not for a beginner, because we never improve if we don’t push ourselves to learn more! However, I will say that it can get frustrating if you are unfamiliar with the stitches and terminology. So, no matter your skill level, go into it with an open mind, and take a deep breathe!

EDIT:
I have updated the pattern (May 2018). The top three pictures show the new version, the bottom three are the original. The pattern has been changed to reflect stitch count, add pictures, and a few design changes. It now is done in 10 colors, with the rows labeled by a letter (so you can use whatever colors you like, and assign them a letter). I tried to get a LOT of pictures to better indicate where rows start and where to crochet into. I’m hoping that this makes it a little less confusing, but it will still be a challenge. With all of the pictures, the pattern is 14 pages long.