Threading moments of rest and renewal

This quiet, two-part workshop offers space to slow down and work with the hands in a calm and steady rhythm. It can suit a wide range of participants and works well in settings where unhurried focus and gentle conversation are welcome, such as community spaces, retreat environments, or wellbeing programmes. The session invites participants to move gradually from reflective thought into a simple tactile activity, creating a relaxed atmosphere that encourages presence and ease.

I wrap myself in calm while bright colours gather.

Drawing inward

The workshop takes its cue from the image of a caterpillar preparing for its cocoon — gathering nourishment and then pausing to rest. This idea is gently introduced through a short guided meditation, followed by journalling on times when participants have felt safe, calm, or wrapped up in care. The theme of cocooning serves as a thread throughout the session, framing the making process as a way to settle, recharge, and store quiet energy for what lies ahead.

Tracing and threading

Participants begin by sketching their caterpillar design on a printed template sheet. Once they are satisfied with their design, it is transferred onto a small wooden plank. The plank is painted white before small nails are tapped along the design’s outline. In the second session, coloured string is wound between the nails to form the shape. All materials are provided, including templates, coloured threads, and shared tools. No prior experience is needed, and the process is broken down into clear steps while leaving room for individual choices in colour and pattern.

A pause made visible

Each participant completes a small string art piece that reflects their own pace and presence during the workshop. The finished work carries subtle traces of the time and care invested in its making, offering a personal reminder of moments set aside for rest and renewal. It can be kept as a quiet marker of this pause before turning outward again.

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