How to Make Macrame Curtains
Macrame is the art of creating decorative items by knotting. Use macrame to create plant hangers, bags and clothing items of various designs. For a larger project, create curtains either for a doorway or as a window covering. Artists can choose from a wide variety of materials and designs to create an exotic look. Although a larger project, a curtain requires a knowledge of the same basic macrame knots as a smaller item. For a 12 X 36-inch curtain for the top third of a small window, choose hemp, jute or braided cord.
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Things You'll Need
- 4 mm cord, 216 yards
- Scissors
- 36 inch tension curtain rod
- Beads (optional)
Instructions
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Cut 72 cords 9 feet long. Fold the cords in half and mount with a lark's head knot over the tension rod. Place the loop of the cord over the rod, then draw the ends of the cord up and through the loop, fastening the cord to the rod. You should have 144 strands of cord when finished.
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Begin knotting close to the rod using groups of four cords. Create a square knot by taking the right hand cord and placing it over the two center cords and under the left cord. Bring the left cord under the center two and up through the loop made by the right cord. Now bring the cord now on the left and place it over the center cords and under the right cord. Move the right cord under the center cords and up through the loop made by the left. Continue making a row of square knots with each group of four cords across
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Leave the two outer cords loose for the next row, pairing two cords from each of the previous groupings. Knot square knots across, leaving the two cords at each end free.
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Alternate these two rows of square knots, creating a lattice fabric. When the work reaches about 12 inches, knot last row the like the first row. Finish the work by leaving 8 inches of cord, slipping a bead onto the end of each cord, and tying an overhand knot to hold the beads in place.
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Tips & Warnings
The closer and tighter you make your square knots, the more cord it will take.
Place the knots further apart for an airy, lacy look, or tight against each other for a fabric look.
An alternative way to finish the ends includes tying an overhand knot close to the body of the curtain, then unraveling and fluffing out the cord.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
