DIY Macrame Placemats

Macrame zigzag design placemats with twine or cording.

The same uncomplicated zigzag design used in a macramé friendship bracelet can be replicated in thicker cording for a set of macramé placemats for the dinner table. The zigzag design is sophisticated when using just one color of cording and festive when a series of differently colored cords are implemented. Once the technique of creating forward and backwards knots has been mastered, the macramé zigzag pattern can be used for bracelets, belts, wall hangings and more.

Things You'll Need

• 600 yards 4 mm macramé cording
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Heavy books

Instructions

1. Cut the cording into 1-yard lengths with the scissors. Lay the ends of 30 lengths of cording on a flat surface like a table in an even vertical row. Cover 3 inches of the ends of the cordings with heavy books to stabilize them.

2. Hold the first cord on the left edge if the row in your hand. Bend the cord over the next cord to the right in an “L” shape. Insert the end of the “L” shaped cord under the next cord to create one forward knot. Repeat with the same two cords.

3. Create a series of forward knots across the row of cords, using the first cord in each knot. Repeat the row 29 times.

4. Create a series of backward knots in the next row by the same method, reversing the “L” shape and moving from left to right. Repeat 29 times.

5. Continue the series of forward and backward knot rows until the completed placemat is 14-inches long. Cut the end cords to 3-inches long. Repeat all steps for additional placemats.

References

• “Better Homes and Gardens Gifts to Make Yourself”; Meridith Corp.; 1972
• “The New Macrame”; Katie DuMont; 2001