MACRAMÉ

Macramé is a craft in which threads, cords, strings or ropes are knotted together in a variety of ways to form different designs and patterns and to make an infinite variety of objects. Macramé is an easy and interesting craft, which anyone can learn and enjoy. Infact, if you have ever tied a shoes lace or fastened string around a parcel, you are already making macramé knot! By learning a few more basic knot, you will soon be making up the patterns and in time you may even go on to designing your own patterns.

Example of Macramé Accessory

BASIC TERMS:

ROW: A horizontal series of knot with different groups of cords.

LINE: A vertical series of knot with the group of cords.

ALTERNATE CORDS: Take half of the cords from the right of one group and half of the cords from the left of  the next (usually 2 from each ) to from a new group centred below the original two groups.

WORKING CORDS: The cords that are used to tie the  knots.

FILLER CORDS: The centre cords that the working cords are tied around.

NUMBERING CORDS: The cords are numbered from left to right according according to the position they are in at the time of counting.

Whenever possible try not to join cords in order to get the length required. If, however, it becomes unavoidable, unravel the fibres of the ends of the cords being joined and twist the two pieces together, gluing them if necessary.

LARKS HEAD:

Step 1 : Fold the cord in half and place the centre loop behind the holding cord or stick.

Step 2 : Bring both cords down over the holding cord or stick and through the loop.

Step 3 : Pull both cords tightly together while keeping the holding cord straight.

FLAT KNOT:

Step A : Number the cords from left to right 1_4.

Step B : Bring cord 4 under the 2 centre cords and over cord 1.

Step C : Bring cord 1 over the 2 centre cords and up through the loop made by cord  4. 

Keeping cords 2 and 3 taut, pull tightly on cords 1 and 4 to make the first half of the knot.

Step D : Bring cord 4 under the 2 centre cords and over cord 1.

Step E : Bring cord 1 over the 2centre cords and through the loop made by cord 4.

Pull tightly on cords 1 and 4 to complete the knot.

VESSEL HANGER : Example of Flat Knot

MEASUREMENTS:

36cm (14 ¼ ") in length.

MATERIALS:

10 ½ meter 5 ply jute or 4mm cord.

1 ring of 5cm (2”) in diameter.

CUT:

3 lengths each 2 m (6’6”) – A cords.

3 lengths each 1.30 m (4’3”) – B cords.

2 lengths each 40 cm (15 ¾”) for wrapping cords.

TO WORK:

• Fold the A and B cords in half over the ring.
• Hold all the cords together just below the ring and use a wrapping cords to work a 1 cm (½”) wrap knot over all the cords.
• Divide the cords into 3 groups of 4 cords each, with each group containing 2 A cords for working cords and 2 B cords as fillers. Work a line of 13 flat knots on each group.
• Leave 5cm (2”) of unknotted cord. Take alternate cords (2 cords from one group and 2 cords from the next group) and tie 1 flat knot. Repeat until all the cords have been used.
• Leave 2.5 cm (1”) of unknotted cord.
• Hold all the cords together and work a 1 cm (½”) wrap knot over all the cords.
• Cut the cords to form a fringe.

CLUTCH : Example of Alternating Flat Knot

SINNET OF HALF FLAT KNOTS:
When the half flat knot is repeatedly tied, it forms a twist either to right or left. 

BOWL HANGER : Example of Sinnet Of Half Flat Knots 

                               BASKET HANGER : Example of Sinnet Of Half Flat Knots 

CORDING:

This is a series of double half hitches worked over  holding cord or leader.

MOUNTING WITH CORDING:

Work 1 reverse larks head followed by a single half hitch at either side of the larks head.

WRAP KNOT:

Form a loop with one end of the cord. Wrap the cord around the centre cords (including the loop ) and place end through loop. Pull down on loop base, pulling loop inside. Cut ends.