Macrame Handbag Pattern

by Macrame

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

by Macrame

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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Vibrant Artist Community: Handmade Artist Forum

by Macrame

We all know about Etsy as THE place for handmade items and artisan wares. The other day, I came across another brilliant resource for artists called:

Handmade Artists Forum It’s a very active artist community with contests, forums, articles, inspiration and a marketplace for artists to sell their crafts. If you are already selling your macrame pieces on Etsy, why not offer your macrame handiwork in a second marketplace as well? It can’t hurt, and its a great way to build even more connections and network within the community.If you are looking to expand your circle of knowledge, reaching out to other artists is a great way to go. You can trade macrame patterns, share photos and keep one another inspired. In fact, that is what this blog is all about. I started macrame lovers blog with the idea of sharing ideas, resources and just developing a community around macrame.

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Macrame Patterns: Elegant Stone Bracelet with Toggle Clasp

by Macrame

 

Materials:

1.      1 piece of 6 foot cording, in natural color

2.    1 piece of 4 foot cording, in a soft contrasting color

3.    3 large beads

4.    1 toggle clasp (available in craft stores)

5.     scissors

6.    glue

7.     T-pins

8.    Macrame board

Directions:

1.      Thread both pieces of cording through the loop of one part of the toggle clasp.

2.    Pull the cording so that the toggle clasp is in the center of both of the cords.  Make sure that the shorter length of cording is in the middle and the longer lengths of cording are on the outside.

3.    Tie an Overhand Knot.  Push down the knot so that it’s up tight against the toggle loop.

4.    Position the cords on the Macrame board so that the longer cords are once again on the outside and the shorter cords are on the inside.

5.     Make the first Square Knot, starting with a Half Knot.  Bring the right cord over the two center cords.  Pull the right strand under the left cord.

6.    Bring the left cord under the two center cords and then pull it up through the loop that has been created by the right cord in the previous step.

7.     Pull the knot tightly up against the Overhand Knot.

8.    Bring the right cord under the two center cords and then pull it over the left cord.  (this step is the opposite of step 5)

9.    Complete the Square Knot by bringing the cord on the left up through the loop and pulling the knot tightly.  The completed Square Knot should look like a small “V”.

10.  Continue making Square Knots, repeating steps 5 to 9, until you have 2 inches of Square Knots.

11.  Place the first bead onto the two center cords and push the bead up tight against the Square Knots.

12.  Bring the two outside cords down and pull them around the bead.  Tie 2 Square Knots.

13.  Place the second bead onto the pattern and tie 2 more Square Knots.

14.  Place the third bead onto the pattern and tie 2 inches of Square Knots

15.  Thread the opposite side of the toggle clasp through the 4 pieces of cord and tie an Overhand Knot (just as you did in step 3).

16.  Trim off any excess cording.  Apply glue to the Overhand Knot.

17.  Let the glue dry thoroughly before wearing your new Macrame bracelet!

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Korean Art of Macrame: Maedeup

by Macrame

In researching a blog post on the “History of Macrame”, I came across this wonderful article in the Korea Times that talks about the ancient Korean art of maedeup, the art of tying knots. For those of you that love these little history bits, enjoy!

Korean Macrame: Maedeup

Macrame and the art of tying knots is something enjoyed by many cultures around the world. It’s fun to learn about how other cultures have developed their own version of macrame, and the types of patterns they have. Plus you can discover new knots, which is always fun.

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Macrame Artist of the Month: MacraMe

by Macrame


MacraMe is an artist team of two sisters from Argentina named Mariana and Paula. They focus on one item really: macrame owls.  What really caught my eye is the interesting way they photograph their pieces. It really makes those little owls come to life!

These little macrame owls seem to be having adventures all over the world! It’s really a simple, yet ingenious concept-they photograph their owls strategically placed over photographs (magazine images, perhaps?) and the models appear to be wearing the owls or interacting with them.

This sister duo have been very successful on Etsy, selling well over a 1,000 pieces to date. And who can resist a cute little macrame owl for only $10? Super cute, and a great example of a macrame artist making an income from doing what they love. Check out their store on Etsy right here: MacraMe

Enjoy!

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Macrame Patterns: Beaded Bracelet

by Macrame

This beaded macrame bracelet is simple to make yet still very elegant to wear.  The bracelet is a favorite among teens. For Cassandra in Brisbane, this would be an excellent project for your girls to learn macrame. It’s very simple!

Materials:

1.      2 yards of 1mm hemp

2.    opaque beads, 6 different colors, and 5 beads of each color.

Directions:

1.      Cut one length of cord to 12 inches for the center cord.

2.    Fold the remaining hemp cord in half.

3.    Place the center cord between the fold.

4.    Hold all 3 cords together and tie and Overhand Knot (make a circle and pull all the cords through).  Pull the knot tightly so that you end up with a loop of 3/8 inches at the top.

5.     Create a Square Knot by pulling the left cord in front of the center cord.  Pull the right cord over the left cord and then around the back of the center cord.  Pull it through the loop and pull tight.

6.    Reverse the Square Knot:  pull the right cord in from of the center cord.  Pull the left cord and around the back of the center cord.  Pull it through the loop and pull tight.

7.     Make 5 more knots.

8.    Tie the first half of the Square Knot and then thread on black bead onto the center cord.  Tie the second half of the Square Knot.

9.    Thread a black bead onto each outside cord and tie the first half of the Square Knot.

10.            Thread 2 black beads onto the center cord and tie the second half of the Square Knot.

11.  Repeat this process for each color of bead.

12.Tie 5 Square Knots.

13.Tie all 3 of the cords in an Overhand Knot.  This ending Overhand Knot will slip through the loop on the other end of the bracelet to secure it around your wrist.

14. Trim the cording to a desired length, such as 1 inch or longer.

Enjoy!

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Macrame Patterns: Macrame Belt Made with Leather Lacing

by Macrame

Created by Charlie Emery

This gorgeous macrame belt is made with leather cords.

Materials:

– 28 yards of leather lacing 3/16″ wide

– Two 2″ brass rings

Instructions:

1. Cut four 7yd. long pieces of leather. 

2. Fold each length of lacing in half, and attach to both rings with a Lark head knot. You now have 8 working cords.

3. Divide the working cords into 2 groups of 4 cords each.

4. Start the belt by tying a square knot with each group of cords. (Alternating Square Knot)

5. Take the four-center cords tie another square knot directly below the last two knots.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for five sets of knots.

7. End on the fifth set of double square knots. Using the two outside cords on each side. On the right tie one lark’s head knots on the outside cord. Repeat for left side.

8. Now weave the four center cords.

9. Tie a square knot with the right four cords, and another with the left four cords.

10. Repeat steps 4-9 until you reach the length you want. End on a set of double square knots.

11. Trim lacing for fringe.

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Macrame Supplies for International Customers

by Macrame

I have gotten a lot of emails from readers looking to get macrame cord and supplies from a company that will ship internationally. I came upon this macrame supplies store today and just wanted to put this out there for everyone, the site is European but appears to handle international shipping no problem. Here’s the link: Macrame Supplies for International customers. Do you know of other suppliers for South Africa, Peru, Israel, etc.?

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