Macramé Group 1

BFA-3B
Borromeo, Bernadette
Dela cruz, Harp Cris
Enguero, Tiffany
Javison, Hyacinth
Tizon, Shayra Katrina Mari

Technological University of the Philippines

 Macramé
It is a form of textile-making using knotting
rather than weaving or knitting. Its primary
knots are the square knot (a variant of the
reef knot) and forms of "hitching": full hitch
and double half hitches.
Macramé History
Macramé comes from a 13th-century Arabic
weavers’ word migramah meaning “fringe”. This
refers to the decorative fringes on camels and
horses which help, amongst other things, to
keep the flies off the animal in the hot desert
regions of northern Africa.
 Spiral Stitch
The Spiral Stitch is also called the Half Knot
Spiral. This historical knot is frequently seen in
both modern and vintage Macrame patterns.

To practice, you need either two cords folded in

half, or 4 separate cords (two working cords,
two fillers). Secure them to your work surface.

The working cords should be to the right and

left of the fillers, which need to be in the center.
Secret River Bar
The Secret River Bar is a combination knot,
featuring the Square Knot and a variation of Endless
Falls.
The instructions below include a loop, which can be
used as part of a clasp for Macrame bracelets or
belts. You will need two cords folded in half for this
option.

You could also use four cords and start the Square
Knots at the center, without folding the cords.
Portuguese Sennit
The Portuguese Sennit is a chain of Square knots
tied around a loop. It's often called the Solomon
Bar.

When the sennit is completed, the loop is pulled

firmly, so the ends are secured.

This technique could be used when you need a

strong stable loop, followed by knots, such as in a
plant hanger. It also makes a great bracelet or key
ring.
Caged Solomon Bar
The Caged Solomon Bar features the Square Knot, but
something unique is done with the filler cords. This
decorative knot design looks best with two colors, so
the loops are highlighted.

Both the front and back look nice, so this knot could
be used to make a Macrame belt that's reversible. The
image above shows the front of the knot. The images
below show the back.
 Alternating Half
Hitch
The Alternating Half Hitch is tied to form a chain, also
called a sennit (or sinnet).
In the example shown here, one cord holds the knot and
the other one is used to tie the Half Hitch. Then you
alternate.
In some vintage patterns, the name of this knot is the
Chain Stitch. In more modern texts, this design is
sometimes called the Zigzag Braid.
Cockscomb Knot
The Cockscomb knot, also know as Ringbolt Hitching,
is an interesting decorative knot seldom used in
Macrame.

Since it has to be tied to something, you could use it to

decorate bottles, to cover a handle, or to wrap a thick
bundle of cords together. I've seen this technique used
to cover portions of chairs and other furniture.

The primary knots used are Half Hitches, but they are
arranged in a unique way. The front of the knot will
stand up above the surface of the dowel.
Square Knots
The Square Knot (SK) is the most
important decorative knot you will learn to
tie. Most Macrame patterns use it in one
form or another, so it's essential that you
learn to tie it easily in both directions.
Alternating Square
Knots
Alternating Square Knots (ASK) create a net-like
pattern seen in many Macrame projects.

This is one of the most important knotting

techniques you will need to know as you learn
Macrame, so practice this several times.

The basic concept is that you tie Square knots

in horizontal rows. In every other row you
alternate the cords used to tie the knots.
Footprint Bar
The Footprint Bar is a Square Knot pattern
featuring the addition of an extra cord.

The knots are tied in such a way that the second

cord forms a series of loops resembling footprints.
 Fish Bone Designs
Fish Bone Designs are Square knot patterns with
picots, and can be made any size. When using this
decorative knot in a Macrame project, you must have
at least two colors to really show the details.
Standard Fish Bone

On this page are the Standard Fish Bone and the

Beaded variation.

Beaded Fish Bone

 Picot Designs
Picot Designs are vintage Macrame techniques
frequently seen in patterns written in the early
1900's.

Picots are small loops along the edges of sennits,

which are chains of knots. They are often used to add
decoration and make the edges of craft items look like
flower petals.
Snowflake Design
The Snowflake Design is made with
Square knots (SK) that face opposite
directions. They surround a slightly
thicker knot in the center.

This pattern is a vintage technique, seen

in older patterns written in the early to
mid-1900's. It can be used in plant
hangers, purses, belts, and more.
Ashoka
Chakra
design features the Slipknot. It is
similar to the Barnacle Knot, described
on a separate page.
There is a loop at the top of this knot
design, so it is great for making
earrings, pendants, and frames for
stones or focal beads.
 Pitcher Knot
The Pitcher Knot is an interesting
historical knot that is not very well
known.
It is sometimes called the Jury Mast
Knot, as well as the Bottle Sling. The
name comes from the fact it was used
to make handles for earthen pitchers
and bottles.
Trilobite Knot
The Trilobite Knot is a very unique
decoration you can use for key chains,
necklaces, ornaments, and similar
types of Macrame projects.
This knot has the three ribbed lobes
typical of Trilobite fossils. There is a
loop at the top, which can be used to
hang the design.
 Spanish
Hitching
Spanish Hitching is a unique way to cover
dowels and other tube shaped objects,
such as wine bottles and drinking glasses.
This Macrame design features the Clove
Hitch, which is the same as the back of a
Double Half Hitch.
 Emperor
Snake Knot
The Emperor Snake knot is a combination
of the technique used to make
the Chinese Snake Knot with extra
loops.
You should tie several of these decorative
knots to get the full serpentine effect.
Each knot is separate from the others, so
this design can be easily stretched to
show the individual knots. Beads can be
applied between the knots, too.
Noise Bridge Bar
The Noise Bridge Bar is a unique
decorative knot with a tying technique
that features horizontal, vertical and
crossed elements.

It can be used in Macrame Projects to

make belts, purse straps, chokers,
bracelets, and more.
Switchback Path Bar
The Switchback Path Bar is a unique decorative knot
featuring a zigzag pattern with one cord (yellow). It's held
together with a path of loops (purple).
The key to success is making sure the cords are flat and
arranged neatly.
Basic Larks head knot
The Larks Head Knot is one of the
most frequently used decorative
knots in Macramé. Another name
for this decorative knot is the Cow
Hitch.
Reverse Larks Head
The Reverse variation takes
advantage of the back of the Larks
Head knot, rather than the front. So
the head is facing backwards.
Nestled Mount
• Here's a variation of the Larks Head that is not
very well known. It is used when different colors
are required to form the alternating design.
• One knot rests inside the other, which causes a
color shift.
• When you tie a Square Knot with the ends, the
two cords furthest to the right and left are the
working cords, and they will be the same color.
Vertical Larks Head
The Vertical Larks Head knot is a variation of
the standard Larks Head. In some vintage
Macrame patterns, it is called the Buttonhole
Stitch.
This decorative knot is often used to form a
sennit (chain) that can be used to make clasps
in jewelry project, or for decorating an edge of
a Macrame design.
Right Larks Head
The head of the knot is the vertical
segment shown on this image.
When a Macramé pattern asks for
a right Larks Head knot, it means the
head is on the right. It also means the
working cord is to the right of the
holding cord.
Left Larks Head
For a Left Vertical Larks Head,
the working cord is placed to the left of
the holding cord.

When the knot is tightened the head

will be on the left.
Larks Head Sennits
Larks Head Sennits (chains) can be made
in several ways, but the most common
are called alternating designs.

They can be used as purse handles, belts,

or jewelry.
Basket Stitch
The Basket Stitch is a vintage knot I found in
a book written in the early 1900's. This
Macrame technique is considered a variation
of similar Half Hitch Patterns that require a
holding cord.
What makes this knot unique is that you use
several holding cords, which makes the
alternating pattern much wider than other
sennits.
You could use this decorative knot in any
project that needs a wide chain of knots,
such as a belt, purse strap, or a plant
hanger.
Vertical Half Hitch
The Vertical Half Hitch (VHH) is different than
other variations of the Double Half Hitch.
The two knots are arranged vertically, with the
second Half Hitch resting below the first.
One working cord is used to attach the knots
to several holding cords.
With the regular Double Half Hitch, it's the
opposite: There are several working cords and
usually one holding cord.
These knots are usually tied in horizontal
rows, as shown above. But they can be tied
diagonally, too.
Double Half HItch
The Double Half Hitch (DHH) is the
primary knot used in Macrame. Most of
the Macrame patterns in existence use this
decorative knot in one form or another.
So this is an important decorative knot,
and you must know how to tie it, or many
patterns won't make sense to you.
Guitar Bar
The Guitar Bar is a very unique way to use
Half Hitches. They are arranged in horizontal
rows, and are attached to vertical holding
cords.
You flip over the sennit every other row, so
raised areas form. The design will resemble
the frets of a guitar.
This interesting Macrame design can be
used for bracelets, belts, key chains, and
other similar projects where you need a
thick sturdy band of decorative knots.
Shell Knot
The Shell Knot is actually a diamond, but
is formed in such a way that it ends up
round.
In vintage patterns, it is often referred to
as a Berry Knot. It's rare to find this
Macrame design used anymore.
You could add this decoration to decorate
handbags, plant hangers, wall hangings, or
in curtain patterns.
Empty Diamond
The Empty Diamond is a very unique diamond
design. I found this vintage decorative knot in a
book written in the late 1800's. It's not used
very often in modern Macrame projects.
The reason this diamond is
considered empty is due to the fact that the
ends do not pass through the center in any
way. They are isolated to the top and bottom of
the diamond, creating an open space in the
center.
You can also eliminate the cords on
the outside edges of the diamond, which means
this design can be used as a pendant.