This week’s String is shared by tangler Nancy Eaton for your creative enjoyment. Nancy has contributed several strings to our community resource and you can locate them by typing her name in the search box at the top of any page.
Bear in mind that Zentangle® strings are guidelines, and there is no right side up. Strings are always drawn freehand in pencil so they magically disappear into your completed Zentangle.
You can use a string exactly as it is or adapt it to suit as your Zentangle grows. Start with the string as it’s shown then, as you go, combine sections if your tangles want to, or divide a section into smaller ones. Go with the flow and enjoy.
You can help our community’s String resource grow by sending me yours to share. Remember to keep them simple, Zentangle strings are not elaborate or complicated. For your convenience, below there’s a link to a template to use if you’d like. The template helps keep the Strings consistent in size.
If you’d like to share your completed Zentangles for others to see, look for the blue ADD YOUR LINK button below. “How to” instructions are there too.
Right click and SAVE to your computer; then print. Pinning of any content from this site is not permitted. Thank you for respecting these rights.
Lightly pencil the string on your tile and you’re good to go tangling. Enjoy!
Reminders:
- Important: Strings are always drawn freehand in pencil so they magically disappear into your completed Zentangle.
- Use any string over and over again with different tangles.
- There are so many tangles available that your Zentangles will always be different even using the same string.
- Or use it with only one tangle — a monotangle.
- Usually each string will have many options.
- The Border (if one is given) is also a suggestion — use it, change it, or ignore it. It’s your art.
- As Bijou says, “Sometimes I even leave a section blank; which is occasionally my best choice!” Bijouism #12 – Choose your tangles
- And remember, in Zentangle there’s no right-side-up!
Related Links
- The Importance of Strings – and String 001
- Template to submit your Strings for sharing – right click link to save this PDF (or click link to open PDF), an instruction page is included with the template. The template helps keep all the Strings consistent in size for the site.
- TanglePatterns Strings group on flickr – another way to share your finished art using these Strings for all to enjoy
- Click on the link “STRINGS” on the alphabetic menu bar above for more Strings
- Linda’s List of Official Zentangle® Patterns – the complete list of official patterns (i.e., created by Zentangle® founders Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas), including those not published online
eBooks available from TanglePatterns.com
TanglePatterns.com STRING GUIDES, Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Sure you can download the strings from the site but this saves you tons of time and as always your purchase helps keep TanglePatterns going and growing. Each STRING GUIDE begins by describing the importance of Strings in Zentangle® and then presents 50 strings from the site’s resource. Strings are given in two formats to jump-start your Zentangle creativity: three pages contain “at-a-glance” size images of all 50 strings, followed by 13 pages of full-size traceable images. Additional String suggestions by several CZTs are also provided. As an added bonus, beginning with Volume 2 each guide also contains blank String Organizers for you to record and organize your own favorite Strings.|
TanglePatterns.com STRING GUIDE, Volume 1 (Strings 1-50) |
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VOLUME 1 - STRINGS 001-050. A 22-page PDF eBook. |
| TanglePatterns.com STRING GUIDE, Volume 2 (Strings 51-100) | |
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VOLUME 2 - STRINGS 051-100. A 24-page PDF eBook includes bonus blank String Organizers to organize your own Strings. |
| TanglePatterns.com STRING GUIDE, Volume 3 (Strings 101-150) | |
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VOLUME 3 - STRINGS 101-150. A 24-page PDF eBook includes bonus blank String Organizers to organize your own Strings. |
| TanglePatterns.com STRING GUIDE, Volume 4 (Strings 151-200) | |
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VOLUME 4 - STRINGS 151-200. A 24-page PDF eBook includes bonus blank String Organizers to organize your own Strings. |
| TanglePatterns.com STRING GUIDE, Volume 5 (Strings 201-250) | |
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VOLUME 5 - STRINGS 201-250. A 24-page PDF eBook includes bonus blank String Organizers to organize your own Strings. |
| Visit the STORE > E-BOOKS page for more information and support TanglePatterns.com by getting your copies now! | |
January 16, 2016 | 
I SO realise that making ‘strings’ first is part of ‘Zentangle’, but it just doesn’t work for me. I have tried many times to work that way, but even when I do a lovely looking string, I then sit there vacantly staring at it,finding myself trying to make a ‘decision’ on what pattern to use in which area and nothing comes. I feel like the string is made of barbed wire instead of elastic ! What does work for me is closing my eyes and then putting my pencil down in “a spot” somewhere on the tile. Then I do the random number chooser on your site and whatever comes up, I start on, which then in itself morphs into other patterns as I go. I only mention this because I am sure I can’t be the ONLY tangler out there who finds starting with a string almost impossible???
I SO admire people who use strings so easily, but I TRY to be thankful that I can’t do it !!
Thanks Sue, I really appreciate you sharing how you go about it. I hadn’t thought of the strings as “barbed wire”, they are meant in part to eliminate the whole “blank page” syndrome and get people going. But I can certainly understand what you’re saying and I think your suggestion is very helpful. I hope other tanglers will chime in …
I use strings. I also don’t use strings. It just depends. When I do my step-outs for new patterns, I use Linda’s long form, and I pick a string off this site that I think will provide a challenge for drawing that pattern. With a blank tile or sketch book page, I may draw a string. Or I may have a pattern in mind to start with, and I let that pattern guide what follows. A string is a tool. I view it as a challenge, the kind of mental challenge that I find stimulating.