Week 4 (of 12)

This week there are tiles to share from weeks 1 and 2! It is so much fun to get this kind of mail.

This week we will use a ‘focus’ tangle. Some tangles are fairly simple and have an ease when you make them as they flow out of your pen. A focus tangle requires just that—focus. I find this type of tangle can be very rewarding as an exercise in staying in the moment as you make each line intentionally.

Since this can be a more challenging tangle, making a single tangle tile might be helpful. If you want more of a challenge, make a string and use W2 for one section.

W2 is the name of this tangle. To me, it looks like a woven basket.

• Begin by making a grid of small open (or colored in) squares.
• In order to get the feel for this tangle you will want to make at least 4 small squares on a side so that you can get the feel of the weaving.
• Once the squares are in, make your vertical lines. You can see in the model that the lines alternate between being inside the squares and outside the squares. (I often have to say the words inside and outside aloud as I work to help maintain focus.)
• Then, turn your tile 90 degrees and put in the next set of lines alternating as you go.
• With the second set of lines, once I figure out where to start the rest of the lines follow the pattern with greater ease.
• You can color in the squares or leave them open. I like to add lines like you see in the model. They remind me of the old woven lawn chairs of the 1970’s.
• I tend to shade at the places where the stripe would be underneath.

Remember to email me a picture of your creation from this week or an earlier week at turningtruestudios@gmail.com so a virtual mosaic can be posted for all to enjoy!

***All tangles and step outs are official Zentangle-original tangles that can be found at zentangle.com as well as through links at tanglepatterns.com