How to Tie a Carrick Bend in Macrame

A Carrick Bend is known as the Josephine Knot in macrame and is also very commonly used in sailing. In macrame, it is used for tying two separate lengths of rope together but is not seized or pulled tight. The following steps will show how to tie a Carrick Bend in macrame.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Form a loop with the first rope where the working end is underneath the standing end. Lay this loop over the straight end of the second rope and bring the end of the second rope over the standing end of the first rope.

2. Bring the working end of the second rope back towards itself under the working end of the first rope. The second rope should now form a simple bend called a bight.

3. Push the working end of the second rope through the loop of the first rope from above. Now weave the working end of the second rope underneath its standing end and pull it over the loop of the first rope.

4. Ensure that the ropes in the Carrick Bend are symmetrical about the center. Tighten the knot by pulling on both standing ends first and then pulling on both working ends.

5. Keep the working ends of the ropes diagonal to each other to prevent an intermittent pull by working the knot towards the working ends of the rope and untying the knot. The attractive appearance of this knot disappears when it is placed under strain. This may be prevented by using seizing to fasten each working end to its standing end.

Resources

• Information on tying knots