Supplies
Tools
Materials
- Macrame specific cordage such as jute.
Directions
How to make a macrame larkshead knot
- Use a larkshead knot to attach your cordage to a ring or horizontal bar. Often this will be used at the top edge of a purse or on the metal bars of a chair that is to be macramed.
- Make a loop of cord.
- Pass the loop over top of the bar and back under the horizontal bar or ring.
- Pass the ends of the rope through the loop and pull gently to snug the knot down.
- Finished larkshead knot.
- Gather long ends of cordage.
- Beginning a foot or so from the attached end of the cord, loop the cord around your thumb.
- Loop the cord over your pinkie finger.
- Criss cross your palm, looping first on the thumb and then on the pinkie.
- Continue to the end of the cordage.
- Tie the ends around the butterfly, or use a rubber band to hold the "butterflied" cordage in place.
- Macrame with the knots described below.
Macrame Square Knot
- Place the right hand cord over the left hand cord.
- Lift the bottom cord up, over and through the loop formed by the top cord.
- Snug the knot.
- Place the left hand cord over the right hand cord.
- Lift the bottom cord up, over and through the loop formed by the top cord.
- Snug the knot.
Macrame Granny Knot
- Follow the instructions for a square knot, but do not alternate the side of cordage which lies on top. Always have the same side go "under" and the same side go "over". This will produce a twisting line of knots. See picture for comparisons.
Video
Tips
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Purchase macrame specific cordage for your first projects and move on to other cordage only when you've got the knot tying principles well mastered.
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Choose a simple pattern for your first project.
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Items such as a key chain or bracelet are good beginner level projects, while items such as a plant hanger or owl are intermediate. Purses, hammocks or chairs would be advanced.
Going further