DIY Mala Making Kits
Spreading the love…
Nothings makes me more happy than when after a workshop, my guests ask if I have mala making kits to take home so they can make another one for themselves, and more often than not, for someone else as a gift.
Sometimes it’s weeks after a workshop when the inspiration hits; I get messages asking me where do I get my beads? What cord do I use? What length do I cut it? And I’m happy to share what I know and do. These are the most frequently asked questions I receive.
So, to make it easier for everyone, I’ve created a comprehensive list of instructions and links so that you can purchase your own materials and make as many malas as your heart desires, as well as links to the instructional videos.
Where do I get my beads? Etsy
There are sooooo many suppliers of beads on Etsy you can go crazy!
I use the 8mm and 6mm beads with 1mm holes to make the malas, 10mm and 12mm for the guru beads and try to get them with 2mm holes if possible. Each strand of beads has about 48 8mm beads or 62 6mm beads.
What cord do I use? C-lon
You will find malas knotted & strung with different materials such as silk, hemp or cotton cord, but I prefer to use a nylon cord called C-lon bead cord because it is strong and easy to work with. I purchase it from Barrel of Beads mostly in the .5mm thickness but I also use the fine weight. The fine weight is great for smaller beads, but can be used for the 8mm beads as well as it will just create a smaller knot.
However, sometimes the holes in the beads say they are 1mm but often they are a hair bigger and so the small knot with the finer cord slips through the hole.
I use about 180-190” of cord and double it. (use about 160”-170” for malas with the 6mm beads) I cut about 205” for the workshops so everyone has the extra piece for the tassel, and it’s just best to have more than less when first learning.
Note about Silk thread: I love the feel of silk & the way the beads just drape so softly when hand-knotted with this beautiful textile. However, it is definitely trickier to work with if you are not using a tool. (I don’t use tools to make my knots).
Tassels: I simply use DMC embroidery floss purchased from Michael’s or Joann’s. Easy peasy. You can also use hemp cord, make a tassel with additional beads, or leather.
Needles: I like to use Beadalon Collapsible Eye Needles, preferably the heavy.
Video Instructions
Note: These videos are not professionally shot or very fancy. But they’ll do.
I uploaded a handful of short instructional videos that break down each step for creating your mala. Please know I created these videos for people who purchase my ready-to-go take home kits.
How to Knot a Mala
Finish Your Mala & add the Guru Bead
Finish your mala, create and add tassel
Finish your Tassel
Have fun. Enjoy the process. Experience this as an art meditation. Remember, the more wear your mala shows is a reflection of how often you’ve worn and used it. No need for perfection. Your mala is a reflection of you, your intentions, energy and life.
Purchasing a Baja Malas DIY kit
A Baja Malas take home kit includes everything you need: cord with needle, 108 beads, guru bead and tassel. If you would like to purchase a kit already to go, please contact me.
Cost: ranges from $36-$63 depending on the stone and my inventory changes from time to time.
After a Baja Malas Workshop, I always offer kits to purchase and take home.
Receiving your mala making kit: If you’re in Baja Sur when I am, we can meet in person. If you’re in the States or Canada, I can ship out fairly quickly if I am also in California at that time. If I am in Baja when you are requesting your kit, I can sometimes send the package back to the States with someone else but don’t expect it quickly.