A large afghan mandala hangs on the wall of crochet artist Diana Holland’s Surf City home, spiraling outward in a stunning array of color, texture and pattern. Holland took a year to complete the mandala, and it sits proudly in a permanent spot beside the other crocheted blankets, decorations and dolls she’s made over the years.

Of the many crocheted creations in her home, the mandala is Holland’s favorite because it allowed her to expand her skills and celebrate the creative process in a way…