How to Macrame Cat Furniture
Macrameing cat furniture is one way to extend the longevity of your furniture. The macrame, which can be made from a wide variety of materials such as yarn or cord, serves the dual function of protecting and beautifying table and chair legs, cat trees and towers, and scratchers. Since cats tend to do extensive damage with their claws, using cord is preferable to yarn. Macrame knots are tied in several different styles. You may begin with the most basic styles, such as the square knot, before moving on to more advanced patterns.
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Instructions
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When choosing a macrame stitch for your cat furniture, keep the function of the furniture in mind. If you are macrameing a table leg or post that your cat will most likely damage with its claws, choose a stitch that will lie flat, like the square knot, to minimize risk of injury.
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Use your tape measure and wrap it around the cat furniture you intend to macrame. Multiply that number by four. Cut four lengths of cord, each measuring that amount.
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Place the right-hand cord over the two core cords in the center, and under the left-hand cord. Bring the left-hand cord under the two core cords and up through the loop formed by the core cord and the right-hand cord.
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Bring the left-hand cord, now on the right side, behind the two core cords, and over the right-hand cord, now on the left side. Place the right-hand cord, now on the left side, into the right-hand loop by going over the core cords and under the left-hand cord on the right side.
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Pull on the cords to tighten the knot, and repeat until you run out of cord.
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Wrap the finished macrame stitch tightly around your cat furniture, making sure there are no gaps between the cords to prevent loosening over time, especially if you know that your cat will use the furniture as a scratching post.
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While wrapping cylindrical posts and flat surfaces is simple, some types of cat furniture, like pet staircases, are trickier to handle. Use a staple gun to secure cords at the corners of cat steps.
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Some cat furniture, such as kitty condos, feature openings that you won't want to wrap over. Instead, wrap cord around the furniture until you reach the opening, then turn it inward and secure the end with a staple gun from the inside. Staple a new end of finished cord on the other side of the opening and begin wrapping again.
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Secure the loose ends of the cords underneath the tightly wound coils. If you have enough length remaining after the cat furniture is completely covered, you may work the cord ends far enough underneath the coils to tie them together for extra security.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are more interested in the decorative, rather than the protective function of macrame, you may try raised knots such as the half-square knot.
If you pull too tightly on the cords, you might find yourself with a stuck knot that is particularly difficult to undo if you make a mistake. Perfect the stitch you are working on before you get started on your project.
References
- Photo Credit cat paws image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
Comments
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okay lets macramae some cat furniture.
