Made More Macrame Plant Hangers

Friday, May 29

Made more plant hangers in the last couple days.  A light blue one. In the same pattern as the gray one I posted the tutorial for.

Also made a 5 ft lavender plant hanger with square knot buttons. I’ll have to show you how to make the buttons. They are cool, quick and easy to make.

Plus the SK button is perfect for the “cord switch”. Which is necessary to control cord lengths and ensure you don’t end up with yards and yards of leftover filler cords.

I have a dark brown one almost finished. I cut the cord years ago. I don’t even remember what was planned. I just know that 16 cords of 4 yards each were already on a ring tied with a wrap knot. So… I got started making “something”. It is so far turning out nicely. I am making up the design as I go. It will be a short plant hanger since I only have 2 yard cords to work with. Should be good for hanging on the porch or some spot requiring a smaller plant.

Pictures for the brown one coming up soon. Just wanted to tell you what I am working on now.

Square 70 (4th of July)

Thursday, May 28

This square shouts the 4th of July or any occasion requiring R/W/B. I like it and will probably make more. I am thinking a purse would be cute lined with red, white and blue material.

It starts off looking like a wheel from a covered wagon.

Not too many color changes for this square.

And done!! No special stitches. Just the usual.

After making this, I found the “true” blue color usually used with red and white. From Lion Brand. If I make more squares, I’ll use their navy yarn instead of Sugar ‘n Cream’s navy.

Yarn used:
Lily’s Sugar ‘n Cream 100% cotton in Red, Soft Ecru and Bright Navy.

Measures 6 1/2″

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Go here for pattern instructions.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996, ISBN 978-0-88195-715-0.

Square 26

Thursday, May 28

Looking at this square, you would probably think all went well, since it looks OK. Nothing could be further from the truth. THIS square gave me fits!!

I couldn’t figure out how to match up my stitching with the pattern instructions. I know there was a mistake somewhere (on my part or on the instructions part, not sure). I am still a newbie crocheter so it took awhile to figure out where I went wrong and how to correct it. Ripped the offending row out and started over.

Here’s where I got stumped, in case you make this square. You start off with 24 single crochets (in blue) and instructions next say to make a cluster (in white) in the next SC, 12 times. Hey!! That leaves 12 SC, right!! RIP IT. Started over, proceeded with “skip a SC” to complete this row. Somehow, still ended up with no where to put the last cluster. I jammed it in anyway. If you look close, you will see my jammin’.

No photos to show you for the next yellow round. No problems with it.

And here I am, headed to the finish.

I like the pattern and the colors. I used the same colors as the book. I may even make more squares and make up something.

Yarn used:
Lily’s Sugar ‘n Cream 100% cotton in Soft Ecru, Hot Blue and Sunshine (yellow).

Measures 5 1/2″.

Special stitch used: Cluster

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Go here for pattern instructions.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996, ISBN 978-0-88195-715-0.

Square 99 (Bear Face)

Wednesday, May 27

A bear face square?? Cute but…

This will probably be the only square in my 101 Crochet Squares book that I won’t complete. Not that I don’t like it. I LOVE IT!! But unless I make about 49 more, what will I do with it.

So… here’s my solution. Make the bear faces and put them on other things. Like this little girl’s purse I created just to put this on.

I have 2 more faces started. They all need eyes and a mouth.

I have lots of ideas for these bears. Attach a strand of “something” and make into a necklace. Dangle from a key chain. Put on the front of a hat. Add a bunch together to make a garland. Would look cute hanging on the wall in a child’s room.

Yarn used:
Lion Brand 100% cotton in Espresso (dark brown) & Cloves (medium brown).

Measurements:
Bear, 3 1/4″ not including the ears
Purse, 6″ by 6 1/2″
Strap, 29″ (ch 101 to start)

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Go here for pattern instructions.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996, ISBN 978-0-88195-715-0.

Square 11

Wednesday, May 27

I like the outcome of this square. Square 11. Even with all the color changes. Pattern instructions were easy to follow.

I did have one problem though. Trying to get the center on all sides to line up with the other double crochets. They tended to dip. I think an extra chain stitch here would have helped. Or maybe a triple crochet. IF I make another one like this, I will make my own changes. But doubt I will, since it did take a bit longer to make than some of the others.

Yarn used:
Lily’s Sugar ‘n Cream 100% cotton in Rose Pink and Sage Green.
Lion Brand 100% cotton in Espresso (brown) & Natural.

Measures 6″.

Special stitches used: Cluster stitch

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Go here for pattern instructions.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996, ISBN 978-0-88195-715-0.

Square 30

Wednesday, May 27

Ever start something and immediately get the feeling you are going to hate it? You wonder why you started it in the first place. But you keep going anyway just to get to the end. Yep, me too. With this square. Square 30. A love, then hate, then love one.

I was excited to learn a new stitch. The Petal Stitch. Always looking to expand my crochet horizon. After changing colors to start on the petals, 3 stitches in and I knew I was in trouble. Just criss-crosses?? It just seemed weird but I was doing it right after all. Whew!!

When making this square, be patient. The beauty develops slowly. And then a light bulb flashes on. It is a flower surrounded by lots and lots of petals!! I only saw criss-crosses at first but I LOVE THIS square and see so many possibilities.

Wouldn’t this be beautiful as a huge table runner at Christmas time? Or pretty potholders. Color combinations are endless.

Yarn used:
Lily’s Sugar ‘n Cream 100% cotton in Red and Soft Ecru.

Measures 5 3/4″.

Special stitches used: Cluster and Petal Stitch

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Go here for pattern instructions.

101 Crochet Squares is by Jean Leinhauser, American School of Needlework, published 1996, ISBN 978-0-88195-715-0.

How to Tie a Macrame Crown Knot

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Crown Knot Steps

Figure #1:  Hold all cords upside down. Divide cords into 4 equal groups. Put one group behind thumb. This is group 1. Number other groups 2, 3 and 4, counter clockwise.

Figure #2:  Pick up group 1 and lay over group 2. Drop group 1 as you pick up group 2.

Figure #3:  Lay group 2 over group 3. Drop group 2 and pick up group 3.

Figure #4:  Lay group 3 over group 4. Drop group 3 and pick up group 4. Take group 4 over the top and put down directly through the hole where your thumb is. Remove your thumb and tighten each group separately.

Figure #5:  This is how one finished knot should look.

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Here’s how my crown knot looks.

1st Crown Knot

Multiple Crown Knots

How to Macrame a Plant Hanger

FINISHED LENGTH: approx 4 1/2 ft, from top of ring to bottom tail.  Will hold up to a 9″ diameter basket, container or bowl.

MATERIALS USED:

• 50 yards gray 6mm braided macrame cord
• 1 –  2″ welded ring (treated, not raw metal)
• 4 large hole gray marbella beads
• 16 smaller gray marbella beads for tail cords

You can find these materials for wallet-friendly prices if you click here!

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DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Cut 8 cords 6 yards each and 2 cords 1 yard each.

Step 2: Use a 1 yard cord to completely cover the 2″ welded ring with continuous Larkshead Knots (or half hitches).

Step 3: Fold the 6 yard cords in half through the covered ring and use a 1 yard cord to tie a 1 1/2″ Wrap Knot over all cords, hiding the ends from Step 2. (I use a push tool to hide the cut cord ends after tying the wrap knot. See photo.)

Step 4: Divide the cords into 4 groups of 4 cords each and tie 2″ of Crown Knots. Pull each cord tight and smooth. (Tip: Put your work between your knees.) Go here for additional instructions on how to make crown knots. https://thisyearsdozen.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/how-to-tie-a-crown-knot/

Step 5: Using the same groups of 4 cords, complete the following with each group:

• Tie 9″ of square knots.



• Tie 3″ of half knot twists.



• Add a large hole bead over ALL cords in each group of 4 cords. Tie 3″ of half knot twists, using the 2 longest cords as tie cords.



• Tie 5″ of square knots.

Step 6: Drop down 4″ and connect all sinnets with a row of alternating square knots.

Step 7: Drop down 3 1/2″ and tie 2 rows of alternating square knots. Use the 2 longest cords to tie 1 square knot over all cords. (Note: I ended mine with a wrap knot since I had extra cord. If you purchased just 50 yards, you won’t.)

Step 8: Add one smaller bead to each cord end. Tie an overhand knot in each cord and trim all cords just below the overhand knot.

Finish off: Burn cord ends slightly to keep cord from fraying. Hold fire to cord a nanosecond to melt cord, not scorch it.

Enjoy!!

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If you would like a longer macrame plant hanger with more detail, go here for the pattern. Thanks!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69800943/pattern-for-macrame-plant-hanger

Macrame For Baby

Though I wish I could be working on my crochet squares project right now, I am excited just thinking about getting back to macraming.

I was just looking at some pictures of projects made last year when I spent several months macraming around the clock.

Here are a few photos of two baby items I made.

A plant hanger and a matching basket. I used pink 6mm braided cord, pink marbella beads and 2 1/2″ pink ceramic bears.

Selecting Macrame Cord

Which macrame cord to use is pretty much up to you and the pattern you are making. You can make the item bigger or smaller but the end result will be different.

There are lots of different types of macrame cord available.

• different sizes (millimeters)
• braided or twisted
• polyprophylene, nylon, silk, satin
• jute, string, thread
• variety of colors

After working with a few of these, you will learn which works best for you. Which cord is easier on your hands. Which cord holds knots better. Which look you like best.

My favorites are polyprophylene in the following sizes:

• 2mm braided for jewelry, key chains, coin purses
• 3 1/2 mm braided for smaller purses, belts
• 5-6 mm braided for just about everything else

Braided cord tends to hold its shape when making knots over the twisted cord. I don’t have to tape the ends or burn them at the tips to keep the cord from unraveling as I work. Twisted cord does have its uses though, for example, when the project calls for a brushed tail or fluffed section. Twisted is excellent for this.

You can search the net for macrame cord for the best deals. You might find what you want from one of these suppliers.

http://www.kingskountry.com

http://www.macramecords.com

http://www.munrocrafts.com/