The macraweave technique is ideal for lampshades of all sizes, softly filtering light through the design, so who could resist making this large-scale pendant as an eye-catching focal point for any room? A central band of sisal soumak weave naturally complements the square knot macramé sections worked with hemp for results that are stunningly beautiful.
*Note: Choose the appropriate fitting type in accordance with your country’s standard
1. Secure the powder-coated ring with light holder fitting to a horizontal rail so the ring is sitting straight and vertical. This ring will now be used as the holding cord.
2. Attach the fifty-six 3m (10ft) lengths of hemp to the ring with double reverse lark’s head knots.
3. Secure the hemp cords to the ring by tying a row of twenty-eight square knots directly beneath the ring.
4. Alternate cords (see Essential Terminology), drop down 1.5cm (5⁄8in) and tie another row of twenty-eight square knots.
5. Continue an alternating square knot pattern for another two rows dropping down 1.5cm (5⁄8in) between each row.
6. Take one of the 40cm (153⁄4in) metal rings and place all cords inside. This metal ring sitting horizontally is now to be used as the holding cord. Tie all cords onto the metal ring using double half hitches.
7. Drop down 9.5cm (33⁄4in) and place all cords inside a second 40cm (153⁄4in) metal ring. Tie all cords onto the metal ring using double half hitches, making sure each cord is dropped down 9.5cm (33⁄4in) before tying it to the ring to ensure the second ring is parallel to the one above it. This creates a negative space that will be used as the warp for your weave in steps 14–18.
8. Directly beneath the last row of double half hitches, tie a row of twenty-eight square knots.
9. Continue with an alternating square knot pattern for another three rows dropping down 1.5cm (5⁄8in) between each row.
10. Place all cords inside a third 40cm (153⁄4in) metal ring. This metal ring sitting horizontally is now to be used as the holding cord. Tie all cords onto the metal ring using double half hitches.
11. Place all cords inside the last of the 40cm (153⁄4in) metal rings (the powder-coated one that came with the drum lampshade metal ring set). This metal ring sitting horizontally is now to be used as the holding cord. Tie all cords onto the metal ring using double half hitches, directly beneath the last row of double half hitches.
12. Trim cords to 7cm (23⁄4in) and fray.
13. Returning to the negative space, number the cords 1 to 112 and get ready to start weaving from the bottom to the top.
14. Join together five 5m (161⁄2ft) lengths of sisal (to be used as your weft thread). Beginning at the left of cords 1 and 2, leave an end of 20cm (8in) on the inside of the ring and soumak weave using a two over two under pattern. Weave from left to right completing a full row.
15. Join together five 5m (161⁄2ft) lengths of sisal. Beginning at the right of cords 57 and 58, leave an end of 20cm (8in) on the inside of the ring and soumak weave using a two over two under pattern. Weave from right to left completing a full row.
16. Join together five 5m (161⁄2ft) lengths of sisal. Beginning at the left of cords 29 and 30, leave an end of 20cm (8in) on the inside of the ring and soumak weave using a two over two under pattern. Weave from left to right completing a full row.
17. Join together five 5m (161⁄2ft) lengths of sisal. Beginning at the right of cords 85 and 86, leave an end of 20cm (8in) on the inside of the ring and soumak weave using a two over two under pattern. Weave from right to left, completing a full row.
18. Join together five 5m (161⁄2ft) lengths of sisal twine. Beginning at the left of cords 15 and 16, leave an end of 20cm (8in) on the inside of the ring and soumak weave using a two over two under pattern. Weave from left to right completing a full row.
19. Use a weaving finishing technique to weave in cord ends through the back of the design on the inside of the lampshade.
