Teardrop Purse

Description: The Teardrop Purse design is a great Macrame pattern to help you learn important skills such as adding cords and creating symmetry. The name comes from the fact that the straps form a teardrop shape. Important: This project is challenging, so is not suitable for beginners. The finished size is approximately 12 inches wide x 18 inches tall, which includes the handle.

Supplies Needed:

6mm Macram cord in 2 different colors, 100 yards of each Project Board and Pins Cellophane or Masking Tape

Knots Used:

Square Knot (SK) Mirror Square Knot (MSK) Square Knot Button

Note: All of the Square Knots in the Teardrop Purse will have 2 fillers, and 2 working cords. Further down on the page are the instructions for the Right Facing (Mirror) Square Knots. You will also tie the standard Left Facing SK in some areas. Make sure you know how to tie both variations, or this project will be difficult for you to complete. Youll be cutting cords as you progress through the pattern, rather than all at the beginning.

Here's a diagram that shows you the parts you are working on as you progress. The Teardrop Purse is NOT easy, so be sure to click on each small image below to see the details.

Creating the Straps

Cut 4 cords, 6 yards long (Color A) Cut 4 cords, 4 yards long (Color A)

Put tape on the ends, for easy identification later on, and to prevent unraveling.

Step 1: Use 4 strands for this step. Secure the center of each cord to your Macram board, with pins. Move left to right, placing them as follows:

#1 6 yard #2 4 yard #3 4 yard #4 6 yard

Step 2: Tie a tight Square Knot in the center of the cords, where the pins are located. Secure the knot to your board. Step 3: Tie 20 Square Knots with the 4 strands. Use the long cords to tie each knot, and the short ones as fillers. These knots should all face left. Step 4: Turn the design around, and repeat step 3. Repeat Steps 1 thru 4, using the remaining strands, to make the second strap. Use Mirror Square Knots instead (Right Facing). The instructions are shown below. In this image, the first strap is on the right, and the second one you just made is on the left. Note how the knots are facing opposite directions.

Mirror Square Knot Instructions You will be tying Mirror Square Knots (right facing) for some portions of the Teardrop Purse design. So here is a review of the steps.

Use four strands so there are two working cords and two fillers. Take the right working cord (RW) and direct it towards the left. The left working cord (LW) should pass over it on the left.

Take the left working cord and bring it under the right one, and under the fillers. The left end should pass over the right working cord, as you bring it out on the right side of the knot. Tighten the first half by pulling on both ends.

Use the working cord that is now on the left, and bring it towards the right. The working cord now on the right should pass over the left end.

Direct the end on the right under the left, and under the fillers. Bring it over the right segment as you bring it out on the left side of the knot.

This is what the right facing SK should look like when you are finished tightening it.

Adding Cords for the Body

Cut 36 cords, (color B), each 95 inches long.

Prepare the ends with glue, wax, or tape, especially if you are using twisted style cord. These strands will be called the body cords, since they are used to form the main portion of the Teardrop Purse. You should sit facing one end of the straps for these next steps. Refer to the images as necessary. Step 5: Move the right strap off to one side. You will use only the left one for now.

Add one body cord to the 4th strap cord, which is furthest to the right. To do this, center the new strand underneath, and secure it with a pin.

Step 6: Tie a MSK, using the four strap cords ONLY (color A). This will hold the new body cord in place, since it's between the two knots. Design Tip: Mark this knot with tape or a pin, so you can easily find it later. In the images, I colored the knot yellow so you can see it better. Step 7: Add another body cord, by folding it in half, and placing it to the right of the one previously added. Secure it with a pin.

Step 8: Tie a MSK, using both halves of the new strand as well as the two from the first body cord added in step 5. The knot will be made up of only color B, and will rest beside the strap. Tug on the filler cords to remove any slack above the knot.

Step 9: Add a body cord to the same STRAP cord used in step 5 (cord 4). Center it, and secure it with a pin. Tie a MSK with the 4 strap cords only (all color A), just as you did in step 6.

Step 10: Tie a MSK using the new body cord just added in step 9, along with 2 of the adjacent strands, which will be from the first knot you made in step 8.

Step 11: Add 6 more body cords, just as you did in steps 9 and 10. This completes the addition of the body cords onto the left strap of the Teardrop Purse.

The following steps mimic the ones you just completed, but the knots are tied in reverse. The "heads" of the knots will point in the opposite direction (left). Step 12: Move the design just made off to the side. You will now use the right strap of the Teardrop Purse. Add one body cord to the strap cord furthest to the left (cord 1) Center the strand underneath, and secure it with a pin. Step 13: Tie a left facing SK, using only the strap cords. This process is the same as in step 6. Mark this knot in some way, so you can find it easily. Step 14: Add another body cord, by folding it in half, securing it to the left of the one added in the previous step. Step 15: Tie a SK, using both portions of this new strand as well as the body cord added in step 12. Tug on the filler cords to remove any slack.

Step 16: Add a body cord to the same strap cord you used in step 12. Center it, and secure it with a pin. Tie a SK with the strap cords to hold it in place. This is the same process as in step 6. Step 17: Tie a SK using the new body cord just added, along with 2 of the adjacent strands, which are from the knot you made in step 15.

Step 18: Add 6 more body cords, just as you did in steps 16 and 17. When finished, half the cords for the body of the purse will have been added to the straps of the Teardrop Purse.

Repeat steps 5 through 18, at the other end of the straps.

Designing the Sides To begin the first side of the handbag, re-secure the design, so the straps are resting vertically, approximately 2 inches apart. The added cords will rest between them, similar to the image above, but closer together.

Cut 2 cords of color A, each 90 inches long.

Well call these strands side cords. Tie an Overhand knot at the ends of these cords, to make it easy to identify them later on.

Step 19: Fold one side cord in half, and secure it with a pin, between the two strap designs. It should rest in line with the marked knot and the SK you tied in step 8. Tie a SK with these two new strands, along with the 2 strands to the left (body cords). Design Tip: This new knot will be made up of both colors. Tug on the fillers to remove the slack, to remove the loops above the knot. Step 20: Fold the other side cord in half, and secure it to right of the first side cord. Tie a MSK with the two halves along with 2 from the body cords to the right.

Step 21: Using both body and side cords, tie 6 rows of Alternating Square Knots as described below. You should be moving left to right.

Design Tip: In each new row you will use two additional body cords that you added to each half of the strap. This will cause the side section of the Teardrop Purse to widen, since you are tying more knots as you progress. Remember that MSK = Right Facing knots, and SK = Left Facing knots.

Row 1: Row 2: Row 3: Row 4: Row 5: Row 6:

MSK x 1 (color B), SK x 1 (color A), SK x 1 (color B) MSK x 1, SK x 1, MSK x 1, SK x 1 MSK x 2, SK x 3 MSK x 2, SK x 1, MSK x 1, SK x 2 MSK x 3, SK x 4 MSK x 3, SK x 1, MSK x 1, SK x 3

Note: If you get confused, remember that Alternating Square Knots are made by using 2 strands from two different knots in the previous row. Step 22: Repeat step 21 to create the second side, at the other end of the straps.

Creating the Body of the Teardrop Purse

Step 23: Fold the design so the straps are at the top of your work surface, directly in front of you. The loose ends should be heading vertically (downward). The side designs you just made should be to the right and left. One strap will be lying on top of the other. In other words, the cords should be organized to look like the general shape of Teardrop Purse.

Bring the remaining portion of the strap cords to the center, forming a teardrop shaped design. These strands are color A, and there is tape on the ends of them. The 8 strands for the front half (on top) should be from the same

strap. Ignore the 8 strands for the back half (bottom) for now. The Square Knot Button is an OPTIONAL feature for the Teardrop Purse. If you wish, you can skip past this next step. Step 24: Use the 8 strap cords only (color A). Number them 1 thru 8. Use strands 3 thru 6 to tie one Square Knot. Move down -inch and tie a short sennit of 4 Square Knots. Pass the ends through the space from front to back to form the Square Knot Button. Tie a SK with strands 1 - 4, and a MSK with strands 5 - 8, just below it. Step 25: Flip the design over to work on the back half of the Teardrop Purse. Number the strap cords in the center, 1 thru 8. Tie a tight Square Knot with cords 3 thru 6. Just below, tie a SK with cords 1 thru 4, and a MSK with cords 5 thru 8. This is the same as the front, but you won't make a Button Knot.

Step 26: Organize all the cords into 2 groups, the front and the back. This is easier if you can hang the purse up by the straps, so the cords dangle freely. Make sure the sides of the Teardrop Purse are to the right and left.The knots you tied in steps 24 and 25 are in the center of the design. Step 27: Tie the first row of Alternating Square Knots, in the front section. Tie left facing Square Knots (SK) to the left of the center, and right facing (mirror) Square Knots on the right. The knot that rests in line with the button should be a left facing Square Knot. Repeat this process for the back half of the Teardrop Purse. Make sure the new knots match up to the ones above them (SK versus MSK).

Step 28: Join the front and back by tying 1 SK with the side cords, on both the left and right portions of the design. The strands will all be the same color (A).

Step 29: For the next row, continue to make the Alternating pattern, for both halves of the Teardrop purse. When you get to the sides, one knot should be a SK and the other should be a MSK. Design Tip: Note that in the sides one row will have only one SK, which should face left. The next row has two knots, and they should face opposite directions. This is repeated as you complete the body of this Macrame purse.

Step 30: Continue on with the ASK pattern on both halves of the handbag. You should have enough cord to tie a total of 14 rows. Step 31: The last row will be a little different from the others. Omit the 4 strands (color B) that are closest to the side cords (color A), at both sides of the purse (total of 8). Omit the same strands on the back half as well. Just push them to the inside of the purse. Tie a final row of Alternating Square Knots. Make sure you don't use the omitted cords. Just tie the row of ASK as if they were not there.

Bottom Section

Step 32: To close the bottom, turn the Teardrop Purse inside out. Hold the design between your knees. Tie tight Square Knots using groups of 4 cords. Make sure you select 2 strands from one half of the purse, and 2 from the opposite half, to tie the knots. Use all the strands, including the ones you omitted in step 31.

Finishing Touches Step 33: Apply glue to all the knots in the bottom section. When dry, trim all the strands to inches in length and unravel them. This makes a fluffy fringe on the inside of the Teardrop Purse. Turn the handbag right side out, and its ready to use.