Macramé basic knots

Macrame items look beautiful, but often rather complicated and hard to do. You won't believe it, but the design of the most macrame works is built up from the different combinations of a few basic knots! There are few of them. Once you become familiar with these knots, you will be able to create absolutely any project you want!
Click any picture to enlarge and see guiding arrows.

1. Square Knot (Step 1)	This knot consists of two Flat knots, tied in different directions. Mount two threads, so it will appear four ends. Work with the two edge ends (working cords), two center ones are base cords. Put the left end above the center threads, and the right end - under them. You have just tied the Flat Knot.
Square Knot (Step 2)	Now repeat the Step 1, but start with the right working cord. Tighten the threads by pulling on the ends. Here you are - the Square Knot! Back to top
2. Hitch (Step 1)	The Hitches can be horizontal or diagonal. It depends on the direction of base thread (if you will place it flat or diagonally, at an angle). Let's start with the horizontal Hitch. Pull the left edge cord to the right above all other cords (it will be a base thread). Make on it the Double Half Hitch with the second cord. Then tie the Double Half Hitch with the third cord, etc. Back to top
Hitch (Step 2)	After you have tied every cord in a line, you will have a horizontal Hitch. Place an edge cord flat above other cords again, like in the Step 1. Make a second row of the Double Half Hitches. You can repeat it as many times, as you want. The Hitch pattern is used in Macrame very often. Back to top
3. The Loop Knot	It is very easy to make the Loop Knot. Just make a loop with one cord on another cord like it is shown on the 1st picture. You can continue tying loops on the same cord, or on both cords by turns (like on the 2nd picture). Take a look at the nice lace you can make with these Loop Knots! Back to top
4. Frivolité	The Frivolité Knot is usually used for garnishing the edges of Macrame pieces. First, fix a base thread (green on the pictures). Next, make a loop with the working cord (orange), then pull the cord under the base thread. Make another loop, pull the cord above the base thread and under the cord's loop. Tighten the knot. You can leave a small loop between two Frivolite knots and fix it with a pin. You will have the Picot Frivolite (on 3rd picture). Back to top
5. Capuchin Knot	The Capuchin Knot often is tied on the ends of tassels. It makes them very neat and trim. Make about 5-10 loops with the end of the cord, as it is shown on 1st picture. Pull the end and make knot tight. Then cut the extra thread under the knot. Back to top
6. Wind Knot	This knot is used for gathering many threads together, mostly at the end of work, and creating a tassel. Place additional thread (green on 1st picture), doubled, above all cords. Then wind the longest cord around the other cords (from bottom to top). Pull the end through the loop of the additional thread. Then draw the thread down and, if necessarily, hide the short end of cord in the tassel.

Back to top

Copyright © 2008 by Olga's Macrame Hobby Site. All rights reserved.