How to Make Macrame Jewelry
Macrame is the process of knotting ropes or cords together to make things. What you can make with macrame is limited only by your imagination. Macrame can be used to make useful things like bags or furniture, decorative things like curtains or rugs or even jewelry. From necklaces and bracelets to pins and earrings, all kinds of stylish jewelry can be made with a little rope and a little imagination.
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Things You'll Need
- Hemp cord
- Small plastic beads, of whatever colors you desire
- Six wooden beads
- Glue
- Jewelry craft pins
- A key ring
- Masking tape
Instructions
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Make a Simple Macrame Bracelet
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1
Cut a length of cord long enough to fit around the hand of the intended wearer, plus a little extra.
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2
String beads on the cord.
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3
Tie the two ends of the cord together with a square knot (remember, right over left, left over right).
Make a Macrame Keyring
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4
Cut two lengths of hemp cord, 3 yards each.
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5
Fold each length of rope in half and drape the loop over the keyring. Bring the two ends of the rope through the loop and tighten. This is a half-hitch knot.
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6
Repeat with the other length of cord. You should have four strands of cord hanging from the keyring.
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7
From left to right, label the cords (in your mind) A, B, C and D.
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8
Cross A over B and C, then under D.
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9
Cross D over B and C, then over A. Tighten.
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10
Cross A over B and C again, and under D.
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11
Bring D under B and C and over A. Tighten again. This is your square knot.
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12
Make three more square knots. Then string a wooden bead on strands B and C.
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13
Make a square knot directly under the bead. Then add another wooden bead.
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14
Repeat step 10.
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15
Tie three more square knots.
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16
Tie all the loose ends together into one big overhand knot. Trim the ends, if you like.
Make a Macrame Butterfly Pin
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17
Cut three lengths of hemp cord, 12 inches each.
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18
Fold one length in half, and tape the folded end to your work table.
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19
Slide one wooden bead onto the two strands of the folded cord, within 2 inches of the tape.
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20
Slide the two remaining strands under the tape, between the two folded strands near the bead.
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21
Make a square knot, as indicated in the keyring instructions.
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22
Make another square knot, a half inch or so from the first.
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23
Push the two knots together. Loops should spread out on either side, making wings.
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24
Add two more wooden beads.
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25
Make one final square knot a half inch from the top bead.
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26
Push the knot down to meet the bead.
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27
Remove the tape, and trim at the fold in the cord to make antennae.
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28
Glue jewelry pin to one of the knots.
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1
Tips & Warnings
For the beads, you can use all one color or a variety of different colors. If you want, you can alternate the different colored beads in a pattern--for example, green, blue, red, green, blue, red, orange.
