Monthly Archives: September 2009
Take The Center Spotlight With These “Head” Lights
How To Extend (Add On) Macrame Cord Ends
At some point, you will run into this problem. You are happily macraming along and your cord ends BEFORE your project ends.
You are faced with….
WHAT TO DO!!!
Scrap the project, cut new cords and start over. Not your first choice, I am sure. Many hours invested down the drain.
Well, you don’t have to scrap projects any longer due to a mistake in measuring and cutting the cord. I will show you how to add on, extend the cords so you can continue tying knots right where you left off.
There are several ways to do this.
- extend by sewing cord ends together using thread
- extend by sewing cord ends together using your project cord
- fusing cord ends together
I usually prefer method #1 best BUT when there is a chance the patched spot can’t be buried successfully, I use method #2. I have never tried fusing cords since I don’t own a fusing tool. I would probably try it, if I had one.
OK, now let me show you the two ways I use.
Supplies Needed:
- regular sewing needle for method #1
- sewing or embroidery needle with slightly wider opening for method #2
- sewing thread to match your project for method #1
- 10″ length of cord to match your project for method #2
Directions to Extend (Add On) Macrame Cords Ends
Step 1.
Stop tying knots about 3-4 inches from the cord ends. If not already done so, melt tips to keep cord ends from fraying and also to anchor thread.
Step 2.
Cut the additional cord lengths required to complete your project. Melt tips.
Step 3a – Method #1 – Using Regular Sewing Thread.
Pin cord ends tip to tip on macrame board. Using regular thread, begin sewing from one side to the other. Keep going back and forth several times. Should be strong enough to withstand a good yank. Make sure to keep the cords STRAIGHT.
Step 3b – Method #2 – Using Macrame Cord Strands.
Do same as for Step 3a, except you will use a strand of macrame cord from your project instead of regular thread. (See photo)
Here’s how the two look. Method #1 on the right and Method #2 on the left.
And here is how they look once I continue tying knots. Can’t spot the patched areas, can you?
With practice, you will be able to hide (bury) the sewn sections just as well as I can. Experiment to see which method works best for you.
Added 7-14-10. Another way to add on cords. Go here.
http://thisyearsdozen.wordpress.com/2010/07/14/another-way-to-extend-cord-on-your-macrame-project/
23rd Day: Another Headband Update
My headband stack is growing. I am WAY past the one-a-day counting mark. I alternate between easy and complicated so I will have instant gratification about every 12 hours.
I love designing and trying to make the look different. However, there are many “show stoppers” along the way.
Such as:
- Design in my head doesn’t match the design developing on my macrame board.
- Moving on to Plan B since Plan A is just not working.
- Running short on a few of the cords.
- Having to stop and extend the cords. (I’ll show you how to do this in a future tutorial.)
- And then spending time blending those cords into the design.
- Once finished tying knots, deciding on the best way to finish off.
38 finished:
orange 2
black 5
red/black 3
peach 2
burgundy 6
black/white 1
brown 2
white 1
pink 3
pink/black 1
turquoise 1
gold tweed 4
rust tweed 1
lavender 3
lavender/lime 1
red/turquoise 1
Working on these four:
- hot pink/royal eyelash yarn (made a bracelet to match)
- lavender/purple (need to crochet the flowers)
- red/turquoise (need to sew back closure)
- brown (need to sew back closure)
Well, just thought you might be interested in what I am working on.
Back to making headbands. (I am itching to crochet something. 
)
Tuesday’s Tutorial: Twisted Diamond Headband
Today’s tutorial is a simple macrame headband with the same pattern, twisted diamond shape, repeated over and over until you reach the desired head size. I think this is probably the easiest one thus far.
I made several of them with this design. In brown, peach and burgundy.
This one I am making today is black with gray/black Marbella beads. It closes in the back with an elastic ponytail holder.
Supplies/Tools Needed
- 13 yards of 3 1/2mm braided macrame cord
- 32 Marbella beads (3/8″)
- macrame board or covered ceiling tile
- T-pins
- ruler/tape measure/yardstick
- scissors
- elastic ponytail holder (the thicker, stiffer kind)
- sewing needle/black thread
Directions To Make Twisted Diamond Macrame Headband
Step 1.
Cut 3 cords 4 1/4 yards in length.
Step 2.
Find the center of the three 4 1/4 yard cords and mount to macrame board using T-pins.
Using the black elastic ponytail band, reverse lark’s head all 3 cords onto one side. See photo for assistance. Number cords 1-6.
Step 3.
Row 1. Tie a Square Knot (SK) with Cords 1-3 and 4-6. (Only ONE filler cord.)
Row 2. Tie one SK with Cords 2-5. (TWO filler cords.)
Row 3. Repeat same as for Row 1.
Row 4. Repeat same as for Row 2.
Step 4.
Add one bead to Cord 1 and one bead to Cord 6.
Step 5 – Half Knot Sennet.
With Cords 1-3, begin tying a Half Knot Sennet of 6 half knots. One right after the other in a vertical row. (The knots will start to twist. That is OK, it is supposed to do that.) Photo is showing one half knot. Keep tying until you have six (6). Repeat the same for Cords 4-6.
Step 6.
Tie one square knot with cords 2-5. (Two filler cords.)
Step 7.
Repeat Steps 4, 5 & 6 until all beads are used up.
Step 8 – Tying the last knots.
Row 1. Tie a Square Knot (SK) with Cords 1-3 and 4-6. (Only ONE filler cord.)
Row 2. Tie one SK with Cords 2-5. (TWO filler cords.)
Row 3. Tie a Square Knot (SK) with Cords 1-3 and 4-6. (Only ONE filler cord.)
Step 9.
This finishes all knot tying and you are ready to sew up the cords to the opposite side of the elastic ponytail holder.
Take the cord ends and loop them through the ponytail holder.
Fit the ends tight around the elastic (on the backside). Hold firmly in place and begin to stitch the ends down. Continue until you have stitched all six cords around the elastic. Trim in the back. Melt cords ends lightly to keep from fraying. Don’t burn or scorch.
All done!! Now you can wear your headband. Congrats.
Note: This headband measures 20″ before adding the elastic holder. Adjust cord lengths to fit the size you wish to make.
Variation: If you don’t have an elastic ponytail holder, you can use a length of cord instead. Make a circle and half hitch to the circled cord. Do the same for the ending. Close the two sides by tying together. Like I did the burgundy one. (See photos)
Go here if you need help tying half knots.
“You May Now Kiss The Bride”
The Bride and the Bridal Party.
Hope you enjoyed my make believe wedding. I just wanted to show you my new headbands and retook pictures of some older ones using my new head forms. Don’t they look great!!!
I made everything you see. Headbands, earrings, necklaces and bracelet. (In some photos, I am using a headband as a necklace.)
I am so enjoying this month of making headbands, I am thinking about a Month of Bracelets, a Month of Necklaces, hats, etc.
Tuesday’s Tutorial: How To Macrame A Headband
Today’s tutorial will show you how to make a headband with two different closures. Back 1 and Back 2.
I am using 3 1/2 mm braided macrame cord since that is what I prefer to work with for headbands, belts and purses.
This is the headband I will make today. Like this one but with different color dice. You will have a choice of closing the back with a slide closure (Back 1) or with an elastic ponytail holder (Back 2). I have labeled the photos as such where necessary.
OK. Ready? Pick a back closure and let’s get started.
Supplies/Tools Needed
- 15 yards of 3 1/2mm braided macrame cord
- beads or other adornments
- macrame board or covered ceiling tile
- T-pins
- ruler/tape measure/yardstick
- scissors
- large hole steel embroidery needle
- ponytail elastic (the thicker, stiffer kind) for Back 2
Directions To Make Macrame Headband (2 closures)
Step 1.
Cut 2 cords 4 yards in length.
Cut 2 cords 3 1/2 yards in length.
Step 2.
Find the center of the two 4 yard cords and mount to macrame board using T-pins.
Row 1. Tie one Square Knot (SK) with these cords.
- Back 1: Leave 1/4″ loops at the top of SK. Don’t pull all the way down.
- Back 2: Pull down tight on the top to eliminate any loops formed.
Step 3.
Working with the two 3 1/2 yard cords, measure down 44″ on one side and mount one cord to the left of the SK created in Step 2. Long side on the end. Repeat for the second cord but mount it to the right side of the SK on the macrame board. Long side on the end.
Row 2. Tie a SK with the 4 cords on the right and a SK with the 4 cords on the left. Number cords 1-8.
For Back 2, place one end of the ponytail holder UNDER Cords 4 & 5. See photo for assistance.
Step 4 – Rows 3 through 22 .
Continue tying square knots, alternating between one SK and two SK’s. Row 3=1 SK. Row 4=2 SK’s. Etc. Until you have 22 rows of Alternating Square Knots.
The last row in this step should have TWO square knots.
Step 5.
Add a dice/bead to Cords 4 & 5.
Tie 3 rows of alternating square knots under the dice/bead.
Repeat until six (6) dice/beads have been added.
Step 6.
Continue alternating rows of square knots, beginning with 2 SK’s under the last dice/bead. Next row, 1 SK, Next row, 2 SK’s. Repeat until you have 22 rows of ASK’s for Back 1 and 21 rows of ASK’s for Back 2.
Step 7 – The Back Closure.
This step shows you two different ways to close up the back. Cords 4 & 5 slide to close for Back 1. Cords 4 & 5 loop around the ponytail holder for Back 2.
Back 1 Closure. Slide Cords 5 & 6 through the loops created at the top in Step 2. Pull on cords to open and close the back.
Back 2 Closure. Flip your work so you are working on the underside. Tie one square knot with Cords 3-6 to secure ponytail holder. See photo for assistance.
Step 8 – Burying Tail Cords.
This completes all knot tying. This next step is the hard part. It probably takes just as long as the knot tying. BUT for a finished look, the extra cords need to be BURIED into the knotwork.
You want to be careful to always go up through a knot to “catch” the cord. You don’t want to undo your knotwork and pull the knot out. Refer to photos for assistance. Work each cord upwards of the knotwork. One cord at a time. You can decide how far to go up. The further up, the better secure the back will be.
Flip your work. You will be working on the backside.
Step 9. Back 2 Closure.
All 8 cords need to be buried. I always start with Cord 5 (not sure why, I just do). Pull Cord 5 through opening of large-hole embroidery needle.
Burying Cord 5.
Burying Cord 4.
5 cords buried.
All 8 cords buried.
Pull up tight to smooth out. Trim cords close to the knots.
Step 10. Back 1 Closure.
Bury only Cords 1-3 and 6-8. Cords 4 & 5 are used to slide close the back.
Basically you will follow the same steps as for Back 2, just have two fewer cords to bury.
Burying Cord 7.
Burying Cord 1.
6 cords buried.
Pull up tight to smooth out. Trim cords close to the knots.
Tie overhand knots in Cords 4 & 5, trim ends. Slide to open and close.
ALL DONE!! Enjoy.
Here’s a photo of both headbands. Completed length for both is 20″.
Update: Headband Tracker
Headbands completed: 21
- wine 6
- black 3
- lavender 3
- brown 1
- rust tweed 1
- orange 2
- red/turquoise 1
- lavender/olive 1
- lavender/purple 1 (working on)
- pink 1
- gold tweed 2
- turquoise 1 (working on)
More photos….
Southwest Beauty
Lucky Gold Dice
Going to Mardi Gras
Three Times A Charm
And working on these two….
Just need to finish the back on this one. Bury the cords. And crochet the flowers to add to the top loops.
Loop-D-Loop
This next one has a LOT of work left. It is a works in progress. Only half is done. Another couple hours, probably 3. I am designing it as I go. I have a picture of the finished headband in my head. As long as the knots cooperate, it should turn out the way I want it to.
The Twister
I am going to make a bunch of these plain ones in all different colors just to have on hand for my upcoming craft shows.
I am WAY ahead of my 30 day One-A-Day Challenge. Plenty of time to design more macrame ones and to get started on some crochet headbands. I have been perusing my pattern books looking for some ideas.
Daisies and Dice Add Spice
Sunday, Sept 13
While taking a break from making headbands, I made these macrame cuff bracelets.
Tuesday’s Tutorial: “Cross-Over” Macrame Belt
Today’s tutorial teaches you a technique for closing the open holes along the outer edges. This one is EASY!! You will be able to take this design and create your own belts.
AND you aren’t limited to just belts. The crossover can be worked into any macrame project for a different look. I am using this method for some of my headbands.
I also used it when creating the black belt I made. It is just wider. I used more cords.
Supplies/Tools Needed
- 28 yards of 3 1/2mm braided macrame cord
- 1″ – 1 1/4″ round button
- 8 small beads for tail cords (optional)
- macrame board or covered ceiling tile
- T-Pins
- tape measure/ruler/yardstick
- scissors
- needle/thread to sew on button
Directions to Make Cross-Over Macrame Belt
Step 1.
Cut 2 cords 6 1/2 yards long.
Cut 2 cords 7 1/2 yards long.
Step 2.
Find the centers of the two 6 1/2 yard cords and pin side by side to macrame board.
Tie one Square Knot (SK). Push knot up close to the top. Pull down on the filler (center) cords to eliminate any loops formed at the top.
Step 3.
Find the centers of the 7 1/2 yard cords and pin one cord to the left side of SK created in Step 2 and one cord to the right side.
Tie a SK with the 4 left cords and one SK with the 4 right cords. Number cords 1-8.
Step 4. Tie SK with cords 3-6.
Step 5. The Cross-Over Step.
Take Cord 1 and CROSSOVER cord 2. Using Cords 2, 1, 3 & 4–tie a SK.
Take Cord 8 and CROSSOVER cord 7. Using Cords 5,6, 8 and 7–tie a SK.
Step 6.
Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until you reach the desired waist length. The last row, before starting the buttonhole, should have ONE square knot.
Step 7. Buttonhole.
Divide cords into two groups of four. Tie 5 SK sennet (tie one SK right after the other in a vertical row) with Cords 1-4. Repeat for Cords 5-8. Tie one SK with Cords 3-6.
Step 8. Tie one large SK using Cords 1-2 as left tying cords, Cords 3-6 as filler (the middle) and Cords 7-8 as right tying cords.
Step 9. Tails.
Decide the length desired for the tail cords. Cut cords, string a small bead to each cord or every other cord. Tie an overhand knot in the tail ends. Trim cord close to the tip. Melt cord to keep from fraying with matches or lighter. Hold fire to tip a nanosecond so you don’t burn or scorch the cord.
Step 10.
Line up buttonhole to the front end of belt. Determine placement of button. Sew on button.
All done. Finished!! Ready to wear your belt. You could also wear this around your neck as a necklace. Two for one. Pretty neat, huh!!
Note: Cord length used for this belt yielded 34″ BEFORE the buttonhole. Total belt length with tails is 45″. Cut cord shorter or longer to obtain the desired waist length.
(Sorry pictures are a bit fuzzy.)
