BOTTLE HOLDER

Perfect for storing a special bottle of wine, this beautiful holder could also be used to showcase your favourite glass vase, and it could even double up as a plant hanger. It has rustic plaited hanging straps and a sturdy wrapped handle. Made with jute, this piece perfectly complements an interior design scheme inspired by natural, earthy colours.

MATERIALS:

• 44.3m (146¹⁄₄ft) length of 2mm (³⁄₃₂in) jute
• Glass jar measuring 26cm (10¹⁄₄in) high with an 8cm (3¹⁄₈in) diameter base

KNOTS & TECHNIQUES:

• Chinese Crown Knot
• Square Knot
• Overhand Knot
• Wrapped Knot
• Plaiting

PREPARATION:

• Cut sixteen 2.5m (8¹⁄₄ft) lengths of 2mm (³⁄₃₂in) jute
• Cut one 4m (13¹⁄₄ft) length of 2mm (³⁄₃₂in) jute
• Cut one 30cm (1ft) length of 2mm (³⁄₃₂in) jute

Method

1. Divide the sixteen 2.5m (8¹⁄₄ft) lengths of jute into two groups of eight cords and lay each group down on a flat surface so that they cross over at the centre.
2. Tie a Chinese crown knot to secure the two groups of cord together (see Chinese Crown Knot). You now have four bundles of cord radiating out from the Chinese crown knot centre – this is the start of the base of the bottle holder.
3. Bring four cords from one bundle together with four cords from its adjacent bundle so you have a group of eight cords. Drop down 3cm (1¹⁄₈in) from the middle of the Chinese crown knot and tie an 8-cord square knot (see Square Knot) using four filler cords and two working cords (see Knotting Terminology) on either side.
4. Repeat step 3 until you have a total of four 8-cord square knots around the centre point.
5. Alternate cords as in step 3, leave a gap of 3cm (1¹⁄₈in) and tie another row of four 8-cord square knots.
6. Continuing to alternate cords and leaving 3cm (1¹⁄₈in) gaps in between each row, create six more rows of 8-cord square knots. (Once a cup-like shape begins to form, which should happen by about the third row, you can turn your glass jar upside down, place your cords over it and continue tying.)
7. Bring eight cords from one 8-cord square knot together with eight cords from the one adjacent to it. Drop down 3cm (1¹⁄₈in) and tie a 16-cord square knot using eight filler cords and four working cords on either side.
8. Repeat step 7 on the remaining two 8-cord square knots.
9. You now have two 16-cord square knots, one on either side of the design and these are the starting points for making the hanging straps. Working on one of the 16-cord square knots, separate the sixteen cords into groups of five, five and six cords and work a tight plait 30cm (1ft) long (see Plaiting). Plait the cords from the second 16-cord square knot in the same way.
10. To start to make the handle, overlap the ends of the plaited straps by 5cm (2in), making sure that one sits flat on top of the other. Gather together all cords and use the 30cm (1ft) length of jute to firmly tie a double overhand knot (see Overhand Knot) at the centre of the overlapping straps.
11. Using the remaining 4m (13¹⁄₄ft) length of jute, tie a wrapped knot 14cm (5¹⁄₂in) long (see Wrapped Knot) to cover the double overhand knot, which should be at the centre of the wrapped knot. Trim off all excess cords.