I got to the finishing stages of the Art Nouveau sweater  just a few days ago and I came across something in the pattern so simply, yet so affective which I had never seen before. 

This morning, I had the most relaxing and creatively fulfilling experience at a mandala drawing workshop led by Jane at Mandala Holmfirth. I walked in with a stressed mind, but left feeling completely refreshed and centered. The workshop focused on the art of mandalas—a form of circular design often used in meditation and mindfulness practices.

A mandala is more than just a beautiful, symmetrical drawing. In many cultures, it represents wholeness, unity, and the universe, making it a powerful tool for mindfulness. The process of drawing helps bring focus and calm as your attention stays in the moment, much like in Zentangle, but with a more circular, structured approach.

We started by creating a grid of concentric circles, using a compass at various sizes to form the basis of our mandala. From there, we added symmetrical patterns, some following strict geometric designs, while others were more freeform, using additional circular shapes to build layers of structure. Each ring of the mandala is like a chapter of a story, unfolding with every stroke of the pen. The slow, rhythmic process allowed me to become fully immersed in the creative flow, letting go of any outside stressors.

What really made the workshop special was how personal each mandala became. No two were the same, even though we all started from similar circular grids. Some people added more intricate details and others stuck with simplicity, yet each design carried a sense of balance and harmony.

Drawing mandalas is an excellent practice for mindfulness, bringing a sense of peace and creativity into your day. It was the perfect way to unplug and let my stress melt away, one circle at a time

Venturing into the world of mandala art has been a bit of a spiritual adventure for me, blending mindfulness with my love of craft. I’ve explored this art form not only through traditional drawing but as you know also in fiber arts.

One of my proudest achievements has been translating mandalas into a series of knitted brioche mandala art pieces. Using the intricate brioche stitch—a technique that lends itself to bold, two-color designs—I’ve created patterns that capture the symmetry and meditative qualities of mandalas, but in a soft, textured medium.

In addition to my art pieces, I’ve designed two knitted patterns developed from the art I created..

• Flower Garden Mandala
• Starburst Mandala

These patterns take the core principles of circularity, repetition and meditative brioche offering a peaceful, rhythmic process similar to mandala drawing. Each round builds on the last, resulting in striking, intricate pieces that evoke the same sense of balance and unity.

I’ve also extended my passion for mandalas into more everyday expressions by creating greeting cards featuring my designs. These cards provide a unique and personal touch for any occasion