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A very useful design element in macramé is the use of a diamond shape made out of double half hitches, with a filler pattern inside of the diamond. There are many variations that can be used as fillers. The two patterns shown here are based on weaving your cords. These samplers are made using 16 cords (8 doubled cords).

I know that these instructions might be clearer with more "in progress" visuals, but due to time constraints I am not scanning the work in progress. I figure it's better to put it up for you the best I can without the additional scans than to not get around to doing it at all!

To make the pattern on the left:

(1)Make the top half of a diamond shape. A second row of double half hitches is optional (shown here).

Think of your cords as numbered 1 - 16 from left to right.

(2)Move the two cords furthest to the left (cords 1 and 2) and the two furthest to the right (cords 15 and 16) out of your way.

(3) Take the remaining 6 cords from the right side (cords 9 - 14) and lie them at an angle going from right to left //////.

(4)Using the remaining 6 cords from the left side (cords 3 - 8), start with the one closest to the center (cord 8). Bring it over cord 9, under cord 10, over cord 11, under cord 12, over 13 and under 14.

(5)Then take cord 7 and bring it under what was cord 9 from step 6, over what was cord 10, etc.

(6) Continue this pattern using cords 6, 5, 4, and 3. Always alternate your under/over pattern so that if you started your last row with the cord going over, you start the next row with the cord going under.

Hint to help you work: You may have to regularly pull gently on your cords to straighten them out and keep them facing in the proper direction.

(7)Using cords 1 and 16 as knot bearers, close your diamond. Repeat with the cords that are now your two outermost cords as knot bearers if you are making a second row.

To make the pattern on the right:

Follow steps 1 - 3 above.

Now weave your cords as done in the above description but group your cords in groups of two, so that you are using cords 3 and 4 together, 5 and 6 together, 7 and 8, 9 and 10, 11 and 12, 13 and 14.

[Bring cord 7/8 over cord 9/10, under cord 11/12, and over cord 13/14, etc.]

Close your diamond.

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