Yarn Molas!
- Hope Creek Studios
- May 28
- 1 min read
Yarn Molas: Art Around the World: Panama (Grades 3–6)
This project ended up being one of those happy surprises I already know I’ll teach again. Inspired by the colorful, layered designs of traditional Panamanian molas, students created vibrant mixed-media artworks using yarn and - unexpectedly - self-stick floor tiles. Yes, really!
Our Art Around the World unit wouldn’t feel complete without exploring the vibrant tradition of Panamanian molas - beautiful layered textile designs traditionally created by the Kuna women of Panama. We began with a practice paper mola, giving students time to experiment with layered shapes, bold patterns, and symbolic designs inspired by traditional mola motifs. This practice round helped them better understand how molas are constructed and gave them confidence before moving into the final piece.
For the finished artwork, students worked directly on self-stick floor tiles, using colorful yarn to build layered lines, borders, and patterns. The adhesive surface held the yarn beautifully, making the process surprisingly manageable and allowing students to focus on composition and design rather than fighting with materials. The raised yarn texture gave each piece a rich, dimensional quality that looked almost textile-like when complete.
The final projects were bold, colorful, and incredibly eye-catching - full of texture, movement, and personality.
Why it works: This lesson gives students a hands-on way to explore layering, pattern, and texture through mixed media and unconventional materials. The paper practice piece builds confidence before the final artwork, and the tactile nature of the yarn keeps students highly engaged. Plus, the finished tiles are sturdy, unique, and display beautifully.
©HOPECREEKSTUDIOS2026
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