Turn a plain linen cushion into a statement piece with this beautiful macraweave panel. Incorporating half knot and square knot sections, it is a great way to refresh your macramé skills, while trying your hand at small sections of weaving patterns. Finished off with long fringing, this accessory will add a touch of class to your home.
1. Secure the ends of one of the 1.2m (4ft) lengths of rope to the vertical rails of a clothes rack so that it lies horizontally; alternatively, secure to a project board or to a flat surface (see Mounting Techniques). This becomes your holding cord (see Essential Terminology).
2. Mount the thirty-six 2m (61⁄2ft) lengths of rope onto the holding cord using horizontal double half hitches, leaving cord ends 10cm (4in) above the holding cord. Cords should be mounted to the centre of the holding cord, with the width of the mounted rope being approximately 30cm (12in).
3. Directly beneath the row of double half hitches, tie a row of nine half knots.
4. Alternate cords (see Essential Terminology) and tie a row of eight half knots.
5. Alternate cords and tie a row of nine half knots.
6. Continue an alternating half knot pattern for a further four rows.
7. Place a 1.2m (4ft) length of rope horizontally directly beneath the last row of knots. This is now the holding cord.
8. Tie horizontal double half hitches with all thirty-six cords along the holding cord.
9. Drop down 2.5cm (1in) and place another 1.2m (4ft) length of rope horizontally to become a holding cord.
10. Tie horizontal double half hitches with all thirty-six cords along the holding cord. This creates negative space 1 that will be used as the warp for your weave in step 22.
11. Drop down 2cm (3⁄4in) and tie a row of six 6-cord square knots using one working cord on either side and four filler cords in the middle.
12. Alternate cords, drop down 2cm (3⁄4in) and tie a row of five 6-cord square knots.
13. Alternate cords, drop down 2cm (3⁄4in) and tie a row of six 6-cord square knots
14. Drop down 2cm (3⁄4in) and place a 1.2m (4ft) length of rope horizontally. This is now the holding cord.
15. Tie horizontal double half hitches with all thirty-six cords along the holding cord and weave in holding cord ends.
16. Drop down 2.5cm (1in) and place a 1.2m (4ft) length of rope horizontally to become a holding cord.
17. Tie horizontal double half hitches with all thirty-six cords along the holding cord. This creates negative space 2 that will be used as the warp for your weave in step 24.
18. Place another 1.2m (4ft) length of rope horizontally to become a holding cord directly beneath the last row of double half hitches.
19. Tie horizontal double half hitches with all thirty-six cords along the holding cord.
20. Repeat steps 18 and 19.
21. Trim the working cord ends to 25cm (10in) and tie each off with an overhand knot.
22. Using the 4m (131⁄4ft) length of 5mm (3⁄16in) colour 1 rope as your weft thread, soumak weave through negative space 1 for two rows.
23. Bring the leftover cord ends around to the back of the weave and use a weaving finishing technique to secure.
24. Using the 4m (131⁄4ft) length of 5mm (3⁄16in) colour 2 rope as your weft thread, tabby weave through negative space 2 for three rows.
25. Bring the leftover cord end around to the back of the weave. Secure the cord ends on the back of the weave using a weaving finishing technique.
26. Secure the ends of all holding cords through the back of the design with a weaving finishing technique.
27. Trim the 10cm (4in) cord ends at the top of the panel to 5cm (2in) and secure with a weaving finishing technique to the back of the design; alternatively, use a hot glue gun to secure the cord ends in place.
28. Whip stitch the finished panel onto the front of your cushion cover.
