Sunday, July 6
I made these two macrame mini bags for one of my buddies.
She LOVES green so I knew just what color she would want. She surprised me by also asking for one in beige.
Just need to get the linings made and sewn in so I can mail them off to her.
Hope she likes them!!
These macrame mini bags are really fast to make. The colors are royal blue, brown, black and lime. I want to make one in many more colors.
4 down.
46 to go. 
Each bag took 50 yards of 3 1/2mm braided cord. All except the lime one which is larger. It took 100 yards.
I added decorative buttons and cardboard tags for a different look.
I have been busy!! I made two more macrame purses. A large white one and a hot pink one for a little girl.
The fringe on the pink one takes me back. “Back In The Day” as my hubby likes to say. It has a drawstring closing. I found the pattern in one of my macrame books from years ago and decided to make it. I think it is cute.
Another macrame purse finished. Started it yesterday and completed it this morning.
Cord color is peach. The design is similar to the lavender one only larger. It looks good with this peach, navy and light blue scarf. And my button bracelet adds the finishing touch.
Used 127 yds of 6mm braided cord.
Measurements:
Tuesday, June 10
I know, I know.. it took me awhile to circle back around to work on these macrame purses. I bet you thought I had forgotten.
On 5-21 I posted, More Macrame Purses Coming. And true to my word, here they are.
BEFORE
AFTER
Used 113 yards of 6mm braided macrame cord.
Measurements:
BEFORE
AFTER
Used 98 yds of 6mm braided macrame cord.
Measurements:
I have made many macrame purses over the years but had never tried either of these designs before. Both purses were really easy. Only had to consult the instructions twice. Once for the brown one, when creating and attaching the flap and another time for the lavender one, when creating the “V” shape in the front and back. Anyway you slice it, a square knot is a square knot. I can usually look at the picture and figure it out. Like cooking your favorite dish. You don’t need to look any longer at the recipe.
I am hoping the brown purse is a hit with a chat buddy of mine. She asked me to make her a macrame purse several months ago. She knew I was just getting back into macraming so said there was no rush. Not really sure what she would like, I searched through my macrame purse books and selected this one. I changed up a bit from the original instructions. I added the beads on differently and made it wider and longer. So after looking at the directions to add on the flap, it was just me and the knots, going to town.
The lavender purse was fun to make. So much fun, I have already started another one in peach and will probably make several more in summer colors. No added cost for a purse handle. It is all cord. And quite easy to make. I don’t think I will sew buttons on any of the others. I only added buttons to the lavender one since, # 1, it is Button Month, and # 2, I had a lot of lavender and purple buttons to use up.
There are so many other things you can make with macrame cord. Not sure if you have ever seen or heard of the Chinese Crown Knot. It is really a cool knot. Very easy to make. You only need two hands and a pair of knees. This knot can be used in so many ways. I have used it in plant hangers, candles, corn stalks, animal noses, snakes and bracelets. Once I get over my obsession with purses, I will show you how to create things using it.
Macrame Cord Suppliers
Wednesday, May 21
These are the colors I am using for the next macrame purses I will make. I have a pair of purse handles I recently found at JoAnn’s that I want to use and LOTS of buttons to use up.
So.. the handles will go with the brown cord. I am thinking of putting a foldover front flap on this one.
And the buttons will go on the lavender purse. I have some tiny lavender satin flowers I may also use to jazz it up. I am making this one similar to the white purse in the picture.
The knotting for both will be about the same, mostly Square Knots. I don’t usually stray far from basic macrame knots. I have tried some patterns with fancy knots like the Berry Knot but they make my hands ache after awhile.
I will cut the cords for these tomorrow and get started. More details and photos to follow.
Macrame Cord Suppliers
My Related Article (purses are done)
http://thisyearsdozen.wordpress.com/2008/06/10/macrame-purses-before-after/
Wow!! Is this HUGE or what!! I wanted to make a big purse but didn’t think it would make up this large. There are 1520 macrame knots in this purse. I counted them. Well, actually I counted two rows to double check the count and multiplied by the number of rows.
And the purse used 258 yards of cords. It will hold a lot of stuff. I bet it will hold a laptop. Maybe TWO laptops!!
It took several days working on and off to complete. My hands, fingers and arms ached and got tired so I worked about five rows at a time.
I took frequent breaks to rest them and once pulled out my smelly and stinky Jointritis to rub gently on my right arm. Whenever I use it, I am REALLY in pain. It smells so awful and lingers until my next shower.
This is how much I had knotted after a day and a half.
Purse was made similar to the other cream one I blogged about, just larger and with only one row of wooden beads.
It was tied with the beginning Square Knot Sections, 18 rows of Alternating Square Knots, one beaded section and then 12 more rows of Alternating Square Knots. I could have used an extra pair of knees when closing up the bottom.
Not sure what I will do with it. For now, I am just enjoying looking at it.
Measurements: Length 19 1/2″, Height without straps 14″ and width 2″ at its widest, the bottom. Straps measure 26 1/2″.
Macrame Cord: 6mm Braided in cream
258 Yards Used:
Macrame Cord Suppliers
Friday, May 16
I cut the cords for this macrame purse this morning and started making it. I have the top section connected to the straps. The sides have been connected to the front and back and I am at the point of adding the wooden beads.
There is plenty of cord so I am going to add a second row of beads. 10 beads front and 10 beads back. Not sure why pattern called for such long cords. The next purse I make like this one, I will adjust the yardage. And it didn’t make up as wide as I wanted, so that’s another thing I am going to adjust. I will increase the knot sections on the front and back. The strap seems to be ok, maybe add a few more Square Knots to make it a bit longer. But so far, I am liking the result.
I called my hubby into my craft room twice for a consult. He gave me some suggestions on bead placement and which color fabric he thought would work best for the lining. I am going to go with his suggestions and hope for the best.
More pictures to follow and a tutorial so you can make one.
Thursday, May 15
This purse will be my next macrame project. The one at the bottom. I have made many purses but not this pattern. I looked over the instructions and it looks easy enough.
I have LOTS of macrame cord in a pretty cream shade. I fell in love with the color so I overbought. I also purchased some beads, in light beige and rust, with this cord in mind. I think they will be perfect together. The cord is a 6mm braid. For purses I prefer braided cord instead of twisted since I don’t have to tape the ends as I cut or worry about it untwisting as I work.
This purse makes up big, about 13″ by 10″. It takes approximately 117 yards of cord. I will be tying Square Knots, Alternating Square Knots, Square Knot Sinnets, Half Knots and Half Knot Sinnets.
For the lining, my plan is to use either a solid color fabric or a tiny print fabric. Probably in brown or a color to match the beads. Once I get to that stage I will search through my fabric stash.
But first… I have to cut the cords. No problem. That is the easy part of macraming.
Macrame Cord Suppliers
