101: Macramé

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Accessorize your modern toys with this retro craft.

From the column 101

by Sherri Haab

Detailed Knot Descriptions:

Overhand knot -- The overhand knot is a very simple knot to tie. Make a loop with the cord or group of cords, bring the end(s) of the cord(s) through the loop and pull tight.
Lark's head knot -- This knot is used to attach or mount cords to a holding cord or other support. To tie this knot, fold a cord in half; bring the loop (where you folded the cord in half) under the holding cord. Bring the ends of the cord through the loop, pulling it snugly over the holding cord to finish.
Lark's head sennit (vertical lark's head chain) -- A chain of lark's head knots tied vertically over a core cord(s). The knot is tied by tying two separate loops. The first loop passes over the core cord, is looped under the core cord and through to form the first half of the knot. Pull this loop snug against the cord. To tie the second loop, bring the cord under the core cord, looping it over the core and through. As you tie this knot, you will always tie one over, then the next under, following this pattern along the chain (or sennit). It forms a nice woven pattern. If you see a break in the pattern, it's probably because you accidentally tied the same loop twice. Pull out the knots to correct the mistake by following the over-under pattern along the chain. This knot is easiest to learn by practicing a few after looking at the photo illustration.
Half knot -- A half knot is the first half of a square knot, however, it can be tied alone. If you tie a chain of half knots, it will form a spiral or twist. To tie a half knot (shown with 4 cords mounted to a holding cord), bring the left cord over the two center cords, like an L shape. Bring the right cord over the tail of the left cord, then under the two middle cords and up through the left loop as shown. Pull the knot tightly against the middle cords to secure.

Square knot (flat knot) -- The square knot consists of two opposite half knots. It is probably the most popular knot used in macramé. It is also known as the "flat knot" in Chinese knotting. After tying the first half knot, tie a second half knot directly under the first knot, except this knot is tied starting on the right side as a mirror of the first knot. Start with the cord on the right this time, bringing the cord over the 2 center cords with the tail to the left. Bring the left cord over the tail of the right, under the center cords and back up through the loop on the right. It's helpful to practice this knot with 2 colors of cord to visualize the over and under path of the cords.
Alternating square knots form a woven pattern that can be tied close together to make a solid texture, or tied farther apart to make a net-like pattern. To form the pattern, tie a row of square knots using 4 cords for each knot. For the next row, pull the first 2 cords aside. Tie a square knot with the next 4 cords, a knot which consists of 2 cords taken from one square knot and 2 from the one next to it directly above. The finished knot will sit directly in the middle of the 2 knots above it in the previous row. Continue to alternate rows to complete the pattern.

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