Macrame Knots: Half Hitch

by Macrame

 

macrame knot

This is an example of a double half hitch knot

 

 

The Half Hitch Knot is a single wrap of one strand around another strand.  Bring the end of the cord between the working and the anchor strands.

1. Wrap macrame cord around a knitting needle.

2. Cross the short end under the longer length of the cord.

3. Bring the short end of macrame cord over and down through the hole between where the cord crosses and the needle.

4. Push the knot to the needle and pull macrame cord to tighten!

This macrame knot is easy but you will find yourself using quite frequently, so definitely one that you want to take the time to learn to do it evenly.

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Macrame Cord: Cotton

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macrame belt using cotton cord

Cotton fibers are shorter than jute, hemp, or linen and need more of a twist to get them to stay together so that they form a strand.  You can buy cotton cording in most fabric and sewing stores where you live as well as from weaving suppliers.  Single ply cotton is often used for Macrame projects that you’re going to wear, such as a belt.  Cotton cording comes in a wide variety of sizes and is used in many Macrame projects. You can order cotton cord from most of these online macrame supplies stores.

An important consideration when choosing the type of cord for your project is how will the finished item be used? Will it be outside, like a plant hanger? You’d want something fade-proof. Are you making a hammock? You’ll want cord that is soft to the touch. Does it need to hold its shape? Just a few tips for consideration.

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Macrame Patterns: Easy Keychain

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This key chain is another beginner macrame project that will allow you to become more familiar and comfortable with the process of Macrame. This one is great for kids too. If you don’t know how to macrame, this one will be a great first project to try. You can also find other great macrame patterns for beginners if you want to check out more patterns.

Materials:

1.      6 yards of 1mm hemp (choose something colorful)

2.    3 beads

3.    1 key ring

4.    masking tape & project board

Directions:

1.      Cut the 6 yards of hemp into two equal halves, 3 yards each.

2.    Fold each cord in half and use a Half Hitch to secure them to the metal key ring by placing the folded end of the cord down through the key ring and pulling the ends of the cord down through the folded end of the loop.

3.    The key ring will now have two cords attached so that you have 4 working cords.

4.    Secure the key ring to your Macrame board.

5.     Make 4 Square Knots.

6.    Pull the first  bead onto the 2 middle cords.

7.     Place a Square Knot directly below the bead.

8.    Add another bead, creating another Square Knot directly below the bead.

9.    Repeat one more time.

10.   Make 3 more Square Knots under the last bead.

11.  Tie the 4 cords into one large knot.

12.   Trim the knot.

Add your keys and you are ready! For another fun and easy macrame pattern, try the sunflower necklace.

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Macrame Patterns | Macrame Plant Hangers

by Macrame

Just a quick macrame plant hanger pattern for you this lovely fall day. Enjoy!

Materials:

  • 44 yards of either 4mm or 6mm Bonnie Braid Cord
  • One 2″ brass ring
  • Four 22 x 32mm oval wood beads
  • Sixteen 16mm round wood beads

Instructions:

1. Cut 8 cords at 5 yards each, and two cords at 1 yard each.

2. Center the eight 5 yard cords through the 2″ ring. Using one of the 1 yard cords, tie a wrap knot around all cords directly under the ring.

3. Divide the long cords into four groups of four cords each. With each group:

Tie 9″ of Half Square Knots, put all four cords through a 22 x 32mm bead, and using the longest cords for tying, tie another 9″ of Square Knots.

4.  Drop down approximately 5″ and tie on row of Alternating Square Knots. (This joins all 4 sinnets). Drop down 3″ and tie another row of alternating Square Knots. Drop down approximately 3″ and using the last one yard cord, tie a wrap knot around the cords.

5.   Put a 16mm wood bead on each cord end at desired length; tie an overhand knot to secure under each bead. Cut, seal ends with lighter.

6. Mount the plant hanger to a ceiling hook, add a plant and you’re done!

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Macrame’s Colorful Past

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Macrame’s history is as colorfully rich as the cords and beads it uses. Elevated to an art form, macrame essentially creates numerous possibilities in a project. The finished pieces may be seen as works of art because of the complexity of techniques as well as the wellspring creativity that goes into making them.

TRIVIA: Just what is the origin of Macrame? Macrame is an Arabic word that means fringe and is derived from the early practice of knotting a fringe to a solid fabric in a continuation of knotted patterns.

Eventually, entire pieces of knotted fabrics were created with a texture that was perfect for altar cloths, church vestments, and doilies.

The early history of Macrame is a bit vague.  There is some documentation, which indicates that Macrame was done in France and Italy in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.  France has produced a large amount of Macrame, and historical data shows that it was considered to be an established art.

Macrame was then quite popular in the nineteenth century among British and North American sailors, who spent their long hours aboard ships tying square knots and hitch knots.  Sailors made fringes for wheel and bell covers, as well as netting and screens.  Many of these knotted articles were then used for barter in India and China.

TRIVIA: If you want to see some fine examples of sailor’s Macrame, visit the Seamen’s Church Institute in the city of New York. There you will a collection of the finest pieces these men of the sea have created with their masculine hands.

Macrame is thought to have been introduced to Great Britain in the late 1600’s by Queen Mary, who herself learned the craft in Holland.  During the 1780’s Queen Charlotte, wife to George III, was busy knotting Macrame fringes for court adornments.

Macrame continued to make itself known around the world and many cultures already had some form of knot tying in place that they used for their native art.

Korean maedeup master Kim Hee-jin, 74

TRIVIA: The art of knot tying in Korea is called maedeup. In China, they have traditional decorative knots, which is called in Pinyin as Zhōngguó jié. In Japan, there are many types of crafts, such as Kumihimo and Hanamusubi, which tends to focus on individual knots.

 

 

 

 

Through the early twentieth century, many functional objects were the focus of Macrame, such as purses, belts, leashes, lanyards, light and shade pulls, and bell pulls.  At the same time, in Portugal, Ecuador, and Mexico, local artists continued to produce shawls and purses as a native craft.

In North America, through the 1960’s and 1970’s, Macrame became a popular craft among the hippie generation and the children of the ‘70s.  In the 1980’s interest in Macrame dwindled, and soon, faded from memory.  Not so today, as Macrame is making a huge comeback among people of all ages.

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Macrame Basics: How to Keep Your Knots Looking Uniform

by Macrame

As you become more experienced in the art of Macrame you’ll want to focus even more on keeping your work even and uniform.  You’ll want the tension to be even and your line of knots to be straight horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.  You’ll be looking for edges that are firm and loops that are even.

The easiest and most reliable way to achieve this perfection is by using the Macrame board, or other anchoring methods, to secure your work while you’re working.  The Macrame board will help you keep the size of your knots even and the pattern of your project uniform.

A great way to develop the skill of tying uniform knots is to practice. I recommend saving leftover bits of cording that you can later use to practice tying knots on. As you practice, your knots will become more uniform and even with time. This really is the secret to great macrame.

Get into the habit of securing your work before you tie that first knot.  You’ll soon find that your Macrame projects look even  with knots that align and are the same size. And that makes for better looking macrame!

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Macrame Artist of the Month: Sherri Stokey

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Sherri Stokey is one of my favorite macrame artists on Etsy. Her work features delicate and super feminine micro macrame. Sherri often takes her inspiration from nature and vintage clothing. She provides deliciously vivid background on the inspiration behind many of her pieces, for example:

“Undulating waves of seed beads in wonderfully beachy colors including the soft matte turquoise green of sea glass are accented by the soft sandy color cord used to tie them all together to make this great bracelet. Such a pretty piece – you’ll want to wear it every day.”

Delicious! This one reminds me of a summer day. I actually own several of Sherri’s pieces which are very reasonable, and Sherri has graciously contributed many images which are featured here on the Macrame Lovers Blog. Check out her Etsy store:

Sherri’s Etsy Store

You can also find Sherri’s work under the Etsy name ss10001. Sherri is a great example of someone earning a little bit from her hobby, which as we all know can get quite expensive!

I would love to hear from more Etsy artists! Do you have a favorite? Please share with us!

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Macrame Handbag Pattern

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Macrame Handbag

This simple to follow macrame pattern for a handbag or purse uses only 2 knots, the Larks Head Knot and the Square Knot. Choose a fresh summer color for your new handbag. This pattern for a purse calls for purse handles, but you could simply use dowel rods or metal rods to attach the row of knows to. It’s fun to add your own creative spin each project. Another great way to personalize it is by adding a liner. I personally love a bright pop of color in the liner, such as a satin tangerine or turquoise. Paisley prints also make great purse liners.

Finished size: 13″ x 101/2″ (plus handles)

Materials Needed:

  • 110 yds. 6mm polypropylene cord
  • 1 pair of purse handles with 8″ slots

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut 44 cords  2 1/2 yds.  Each.

2. Mount 14 cords on each handle with Lark’s Heads. Tie a row of Square Knots on each handle close under Lark’s Head (There should be 7 Square Knots on each of the handles).

3. Fold 2 more cords in half and then pin the centers side by side on your project board. With the 4 working cords, tie a Square Knot. Bring the knot all the way to pins so no loops are above knot. Set aside.

4. Repeat step 3 seven additional times.

5. Secure a purse handle onto your project board and, on the left side of the Square Knot under handle, then pin 2 of the Square Knot sections tied in step 3. Pin side by side. Do the same on right side. Tie a row of alternating Square Knots across purse, beginning with 4 cords on the far left (there should be a total of 10 knots in all).

6. Repeat step 5 on the other handle. You will have used all the cords now.

7. Place the front and back sides of purse together with the insides facing each other, and hold using your knees. Now tie a Square Knot withthe 2 outside cords from the front and the 2 outside cords from the back of the purse. Now tie the knot tight and up close to the other Square Knots. Repeat on other edge of purse. This will join the front and backs together; the purse will now be worked like a tube.

8. Now tie 16 rows of alternating Square Knots, turning your purse as you knot.

9. Turn your purse inside side out and place between your knees, with bottom side up. Be sure the sides are correctly lined up. Start with the farthest 6 cords, tie 2 Square Knots, using 4 filler cords.

10. Next, use the next 2 cords from each side and tie a tight Square Knot, using 1 cord from each side as a filler cord and 1 cord from each side as the tying cord. Continue this across the bottom until there are 6 cords left. Tie 2 Square Knots, using 4 filler cords.

11. If using polypropylene cord, cut all cords, leaving about 1/2″ left. Fuse the adjacent ends together or glue them together. Your purse is finished, you can add a brightly colored liner if desired.

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Adding Beads to Your Macrame Projects

by Macrame

Beads and other items are often added to Macrame projects to make them interesting, unique, and rich with design.  You can purchase beads of all kinds from beading and craft stores, as well as from many distributors on the Internet.  A past post on macrame supplies will point you in the right direction for where you can purchase everything you need.  All you need to do is make sure that the holes in the beads are large enough for the cording to strand through easily.  To add the beads you simply slide them onto the cording between or in the middle of knots.

When you’re adding beads to a project you’ll want to look for beads that are unique and unusual so that they stand out in the Macrame pattern.  You’ll find beads in a variety of styles, sizes, and shapes that includes flowers, symbols, and charms. This place has wonderful beads with intricate flower designs:

Acajou Beads

Search for beads that will complement the Macrame pattern that you’re working.  You’ll want to choose beads with a color and texture that are going to enhance your project.

macrame beads

Macrame beads as used by macrame artist Sophine Giam

For smaller projects you’ll want to use beads that are soft and delicate while your larger Macrame projects will need large, textured beads.  Take your time looking for the right beads for your project and dare to experiment with new ideas.

The one thing that you need to ensure when you’re purchasing beads for your Macrame projects is that the cording will fit through the bead center.  Keep in mind that many times you’ll be using several strands of cording that will need to fit through the bead so be sure to choose beads that are large enough.

When you’re working the bead into the strands of cording you’ll need to position the bead carefully into the pattern as per the project instructions.  In most cases the bead will be worked into the project following a series of knots, followed by another series of knots to keep the bead secure.

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Macrame Patterns: Guitar Strap

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This Macrame pattern is great for a creating a guitar strap for someone musical in your life.  Not too late to whip this one out for a Christmas present. Might need some help from Santa’s little macrame elves to get all your macrame gifts done in time, so go ahead and get started while you have plenty of time!

Although the directions may seem a bit complex, the pattern is an easy one to follow!

Materials Needed for this Macrame Project:

1.      100 yards if 3.5mm Polypropylene cording

2.    Cut two pieces of cording 20 yards each.

3.    Cut two pieces of cording 19 yards each.

4.    Cut two pieces of cording 18 yards each.

Directions:

1.      Take one of the 20 yard cords and fold it in half, pinning the center to the Macrame board.  Fold the other 20 yard cord in half and tie a Square Knot Sinnet around the first cord about half ways in from the fold in the first cord.

2.    Tie the Square Knot Sinnet for 1 ½ inches.

3.    Drop down by 1 inch and tie another Square Knot Sinnet, continuing the knots for 3 ½ inches.  This area of the pattern will be the neck of the guitar strap.

4.    Add the two 19 yard cords.  Fold each cord in half and pin it to the Macrame board on either side of the working cords.

5.     Number the cording from 1 – 8, moving from left to right.  You’ll use cords 1 and 4, 5 and 8, as the knotting cords.  Tie a Square Knot with each grouping of cords.

6.    Tie a Square Knot with the 3 and 6 cords as the knotting cords.

7.     Repeat step 5 and step 6 for a series of five times, making sure that you end on a single Square Knot.

8.    Add the 18 yard cords.  Repeat from step 4.  Fold each cord in half and pin it to the Macrame board on either side of the working cords.

9.    Number the cording from 1 – 12, moving from left to right.  Use cords 1 and 4, 5 and 8, 9 and 12, as the knotting cords.  Tie a Square Knot with each grouping of cords.

10.            Tie a Square Knot with cords 3 and 6, 7 and 10, as the knotting cords.

11.  Repeat step 9 and step 10 until you are 1 inch from the center of the guitar strap.

12.When you reach the last set of two Square Knots add one more Square Knot directly under and in the center of the last two knots.  You’ll be making a “V” with the Square Knots.

13.Once again number the cords 1 – 12, moving from left to right.  Take cord 1 and bring it across cords 2 – 6 at an angle of 45 degrees. Double half hitch cords 2 – 6 onto cord 1.

14.Taking cord 12 bring it across cords 11 – 17 at an angle of 45 degrees.  Double half hitch cords 11 – 7 onto cord 12.  Then double half hitch cord 1 onto cord 12 so that the top of the knotting is closed.

15. You’re now ready to make the bottom of the strap.  Number the cords 1 – 12, moving from left to right.  Use cords 6 and 7 as the anchoring cords.  Take cord 6 and bring it across cords 5 – 1 at an angle of 45 degrees.  Double half hitch cords 5 -1 onto cord 6.

16.Take cord 7 and bring it across cords 8 – 12 at an angle of 45 degrees.  Double half hitch cords 8 – 12 onto cord 7.

17. Take the four center cords at the bottom of the “V’ and tie a Square Knot by using the two outside cords as the knotting cords and the two cords in the middle as the filler cords.

18.Repeat step 9 and step 10 for the same number of knots that you created above.  End the pattern on a two-knot grouping. When you reach the last set of two Square Knots add one more Square Knot directly under and in the center of the last two knots.  You’ll be making a “V” with the Square Knots.

19.Repeat step 13 and step 14 two times to make a double row of double half hitches.

20.          Number the cords 1 – 12, moving from left to right.  Take cords 1 and 2, 11 and 12, cut the double half hitch and carefully fuse the ends of the cording.

21.Renumber the remaining cords 1 – 8, moving from left to right.  Tie a Square Knot with cords 1 – 4 and 5 – 8.  This will give you two Square Knots.

22.           Using cords 3 – 6 tie a Square Knot under the grouping of knots that you created in step 21.  Repeat this knotting pattern until you have reached the desired length of the guitar strap.

23.           End the project pattern by decreasing the “V”.  This is done by tying rows of the diagonal double half hitch using step 13 and step 14.  Each time that you begin a new row drop one cord on each side, fusing the ends of the dropped cording.

If you are looking for more macrame patterns that would make good gifts, there are many here. Enjoy!

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