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Adding Cords

Adding cords in the body of a project is a Macrame technique seldom described in books devoted to this craft. For someone with experience, increasing the number of cords at any point in the pattern is no problem at all. But a beginner might find these important techniques a challenge, which is why I am addressing the topic

The terms Mount and Hitch mean to attach one cord to another one, or to a ring, dowel, or similar object. The first steps in many Macrame projects will have you mount a certain number of cords that you will use to design the item being made. The term Adding Cords means to attach extra strands somewhere in the overall pattern, after the mounting stage. There are several ways that this is accomplished:

Add Cords to an Object (such as a ring)
Attach Cords to Existing Strands
Add them with a Square Knot (most common method)
Add the New Cords beside other strands
Adding cords without knotting them

All these techniques are described on this page, so be sure to read to the bottom of the page. This is an IMPORTANT part of learning Macrame, so be sure to study and practice these techniques.

You can click on the small images and new photos will show up in a new window.

ADD CORDS TO AN OBJECT

You may be asked to attach the cords to something, such as a ring or a dowel, in the body of the pattern. Adding cords is easy in that case. Mount the extra strands to the object, beside or between the other strands you’ve been working with.

Larks Head knots and Double Half Hitches (DHH) are the most common knots used for this type of addition. Keep in mind the fact that you usually need to tie the knots differently in the body of a Macramé project as compared to the mounting process.

For example: The pattern calls for mounting cords to a ring, somewhere in the middle of the design. The original cords are mounted to that ring with DHH. The new cords to be added will be attached with the DHH Mount. It’s the same knot, but the process is slightly different because the cord you add is not already attached to something.

To finish it off, the tail at the top would be weaved into the overall pattern.

The same thing applies to Larks Head Knots. When using that type of knot to add more strands, you would use the Vertical Larks Head technique, rather than the variation used as a mounting knot.

The holding cord does not need to be vertical; it can be horizontal or diagonal. I recommend you review the slight differences in the two techniques by going to the pages where they are described in more detail.

ATTACH CORDS TO EXISTING STRANDS

Many patterns require you to add more cords to make the design wider. Usually the patterns will tell you exactly where to attach the new strands, and which decorative knot to use. But sometimes the pattern doesn’t give you clear details, so here a few tips:

Tip #1: Try to match the knots used when adding new strands to the other ones in the area. They need to blend in. This is especially important if you are adding more than 2 cords. Every knot you tie changes the design, even if it’s a very small knot.

Tip #2: Symmetry refers to the fact that many Macramé projects have two halves, or two edges that need to be made the same way.

Look carefully at the photo or drawing of the item you are making. More often than not, it will be equal on both sides, or the front and back sections will be the same.

When adding cords, you must take this into account. Be prepared to add cords in more than one area, even if the pattern is not specific.

I can’t tell you how many times I forgot this principal, and ended up with lopsided patterns. Once you are finished, it’s usually too late to remedy a mistake. So take it from me, think about symmetry!

Tip #3: Oops, I’m running out of cord. It does happen, particularly if you suddenly decide to change the pattern halfway through the project. Anytime you make changes, increasing the length or width, you could run out of cord. Luckily, it’s not all that difficult to remedy the problem.

The easiest way of adding cords in this situation is to attach the new ones onto the strands that are too short. Try to use the same type of knot that you’re tying in the immediate area. Once the new ones are attached, continue the pattern using the new strands, and finish off the old ones in some manner.

Obviously, it’s better to cut the cords too long than end up with not enough. If you make a mistake, the following decorative knots can be used to attach the new strands to the old ones:

Sailors Knot – A flat knot, easy to blend into most circular patterns.

Shake Hands Bend – Links 2 cords, small size, easy to tie. See Linked Overhand Knots for more details.

Rosendahl Bend – Very attractive, ends with strands in 4 directions. See Linked Overhand Knots for more details.

True Lovers Knot – An easy knot, but hard to disguise. Described in Linked Overhand Knots.

Square Knot – Easily blended in, most commonly used for adding cords.

ADDING CORDS WITH A SQUARE KNOT

The techniques described above can also deliberately be used to add new strands to make a design wider. Handbag Patterns frequently require you to add additional strands by securing them to existing ones. Follow the steps described to learn how to add a cord using a Square Knot, which is the most common method.

Step 1: Slide the new cord under 1 or 2 of the strands already being used, and center it. In the image, the cord is being added to one ribbon (blue).

Step 2: Use the new strand to tie the first half of the Square Knot. The other strand, in this case, a ribbon, is the filler.

Step 3: Make the second half of the knot. Tighten both parts so there is no slack at all above or behind the knot.

ADD CORDS BESIDE OTHER STRANDS

Another technique I’ve seen used in Macrame patterns is to add cords beside existing knots. Many Purse designs use this technique to create the sides, also called a gusset.

Here’s how it works: Fold the new cord in half, and place it next to one or more knots in the area. Use both ends of the new cord, along with adjacent strands (already in use), and tie whatever knot the pattern calls for. To get rid of the loop, pull on the ends of the new cord.

ADDING CORDS WITHOUT KNOTTING THEM

This final technique is also used quite a bit. And it’s really easy to learn. Basically, you place the additional cord around a different one that is used to tie the knot. This way you can blend the new one in without changing the pattern at all.

For example: You are asked to add cords to a purse strap that has already been partially designed. You can simply center the new strand around one of the cords making up the strap. Tie another knot in the strap, which will secure the new cord.

LEARNING THESE IMPORTANT TECHNIQUES

Here are a few projects that you can make which will help you to master the important technique of adding cords:

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