Yarn mandalas for beginners and beyond - Inga Savage

Discover how to make incredible woven yarn mandalas in a mindful, meditative way. This is a practical book of instructions for woven mandalas, starting with very simple four sided mandalas through to more complex designs, with an emphasis on how they can be a tool to aid wellbeing.

Yarn mandalas are a wonderful way to create bright and beautiful woven wall art in a mindful, meditative way. The use of pattern and colour can help to reduce stress and aid wellbeing at the same time as developing your creativity. Author Inga Savage, explains how to start your mandala journey with a simple four sided version, as well as how to choose the right materials including dowels, yarn and other hardware.

There are step-by-step instructions for 17 wonderfully colourful yarn mandalas, ranging from some very simple, basic versions using just two dowels, right up to more complicated 12 sided mandalas (using six dowels). All of the key techniques are accompanied with step-by-step instructions and photography so you can see how to prepare the dowels, marking them up and how to join them as well as what the best yarn to use is and how to ensure that your mandalas have the correct tension which allows the pattern and colour to shine. This skill-building approach to weaving mandalas will help you to develop your skills by practising the techniques on simple mandalas and building up to the more complex designs.

The instructions include step-by-step tutorials for all the key patterns used in yarn mandalas including the daggers design, the square design, and how to add embroidery, tassels and other elements into the mandalas as your skills develop. The intricate layers and patterns of mandalas have been used to aid meditation and mindfulness for centuries and this collection explores how makers can tap into these benefits while creating beautiful woven mandala art, with the practise of intention, colour therapy and visualisation during the making process. This collection explores these ideas in the form of a practical guide to making woven yarn mandalas in a meaningful way to allow you to express your creativity via this mindful, relaxing craft. Inga highlights some 'Mindful Moments' throughout the book where she draws on her experience in order to encourage you to get the most from the creative process and to be present in the moment while you are working with the mandalas. All you need to get started is yarn and some dowels and before you know it you will be creating beautiful woven wall art to adorn your home.