All of my work is based on my own original designs and I never worked from books or patterns.
I usually design my pieces as I work and do not sell patterns for them.
And even though I teach macramé, I do not sell macramé supplies.
Here is some additional instructional information on several topics that I have been asked about frequently.
This is the best that I can explain these without illustrations or in-person instruction.
STARTING A NECKLACE, BRACELET, CHOKER, ETC.
STARTING AND ENDING A WALL HANGING
FINISHING A NECKLACE, BRACELET, ETC. AT THE CLASP
ADDING CORDS
DECREASING CORDS
PLANT HANGER TIPS
HOW DO I START A NECKLACE, BRACLET, CHOKER, ETC?
If you are going to close a choker by tying it you can just start with square or half knots
leaving enough extra cord at the end of your core cords for tying.
(You can pin or tape the cords to your board to hold them in place to start).
Another alternative would be to tie them together in one overhand knot to start.
If you are mounting it onto a clasp you can use two doubled cords and loop them around your clasp
to get started. Then use your 4 cords to make square knots.
HOW CAN I START/END MY WALL HANGING?
The easiest way to start a wall hanging is to mount cords on a dowel using either
the lark's head or double half hitches.
There are many different ways to end a wall hanging. A few of the options are:
End with a row of double half hitches and let a fringe hang down.
End with overhand knots.
You can tie overhand knots in each cord, every two cords, or larger groups of cords.
HOW CAN I FINISH A NECKLACE, BRACELET, ETC. AT THE CLASP?
When you are down to 4 cords, working up toward your clasp, you can make a square knot sennit.
Bring the core cords around a jump ring or the loop in your clasp, leaving at least a half inch
between the end of your sennit and the ring. Using 4 core cords
(the original ones and the same cords looped back behind your piece),
tie some more square knots until you are near the clasp.
Tie the ends of your cords behind the square knots and glue.
HOW CAN I ADD MORE CORDS TO MY WORK?
One method of adding cords would be to separate 4 cords into two groups.
Take a new cord (folded in half) and use it as your knotting cords to make
a square knot with two of the old cords as core cords.
Then repeat the same thing with the other two original cords as core cords
for another added pair of cords - this brings you to 8 cords where you originally had 4 cords.
Another method of adding would be to take a new cord and, starting at the center,
use that cord as a knot bearer and double half hitch the other cords to the new cord.
This will give you two new cords.
HOW CAN I DECREASE THE NUMBER OF CORDS I AM WORKING WITH?
The easiest method to explain for decreasing cords would be to use several core cords
in a square knot sennit and "lose" some of them by cutting them off while continuing
to make square knots around the remaining cords. Make sure that your square knots are
tight and make enough of them so that your ends won't slip out (you can also add a dab of glue).
PLANT HANGER TIPS
I have never used instructions to make plant hangers since I design all of my work,
but I will attempt to provide a few tips.
The length of your cords will depend on the type and density of knotting that
you are using and how much open area you will have.
See MACRAME CORD LENGTH TIPS for additional information.
I usually start plant hangers from the top. For a simple plant hanger
you can knot some of the cords into a loop and add additional cords in a circular pattern
around the hanger using double half hitches.
I usually use 16 cords (8 doubled cords) separated in to groups of 4 cords
which will be brought together at the bottom of the plant hanger.
Each plant hanger that I make is different. There is no requirement as to what knots to use.
It's where you put the knots that counts. I often use square knots with lots of open sections
for the longer, hanging part of a plant hanger, going back and forth as to which cords I am using.
There is no right or wrong on how a plant hanger looks. The important thing is to make sure
that the plant won't slip out.
Copyright © 2002 by Elaine Lieberman
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THESE INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS-INTRODUCTION
MACRAME CORD LENGTH TIPS
HALF KNOT & SQUARE KNOT
DOUBLE HALF HITCH
OVERHAND KNOT
LARK'S HEAD (TO MOUNT CORDS)
MOUNTING CORDS USING A DOUBLE HALF HITCH
VARIATIONS 1 - HALF AND SQUARE KNOT
VARIATIONS 2 - ALTERNATING SQUARE KNOTS
VARIATIONS 3 - SQUARE KNOT USING PICOTS
VARIATIONS 4 - SQUARE KNOTS VARYING YOUR CORE AND KNOTTING CORDS
VARIATIONS 5 - DOUBLE HALF HITCH DIAMOND
VARIATIONS 6 - DIAMOND FILLERS 1
VARIATIONS 7 - DIAMOND FILLERS 2
VARIATIONS 8 - USING COLOR WITH SQUARE KNOTS
VARIATIONS 9 - SQUARE KNOTS WITH BEADS
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FAQ
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FAQ
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