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Description: Alternating
Square Knots (ASK) create a net-like pattern
seen in many Macrame projects, so it's
considered the most
important of all the basic knots.
Practice this knotting technique several
times if you are a beginner.
The basic concept is that you tie the Square
knots in horizontal rows. Every other
row you alternate
the cords used to tie the knots. You
select two cords from two different knots to
make the ASK shift position, creating the
interconnected woven design.
Be sure you know how to tie a
Square
Knot before you get started.
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The Striped
Clutch is a great project
for beginners. Most of the design is
made with Alternating Square Knots.
Click on the link or image if you want to
give it a try.
Make sure you know how to tie SK in both
directions. |
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To practice, you need at least six 36-inch
cords. Fold them in half, so you end up with 12
(or more) cords to work with.
Secure them to your project board, at the fold.
Mentally number the cords, moving left to
right. Each Square Knot is tied with four cords.
Important:
The ASK shown below are made with only 12
cords. In a Macrame project you will
likely have many more cords to work with.
You create each row
moving all
the way across from left to
right. The pattern will tell you what
cords to use and how many rows to tie.
Always mentally number and count the cords, so
you combine the right ones.
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Step 1: Tie the first
row of Square knots with groups of four
cords, so there are two working cords
and two fillers.
In this example, the SK are tied with
cords:
1 -
4 5 -
8 9 - 12
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Step 2: Row
2 is made by combining cords 3 - 4 from
the first knot in row 1, with cords 5 -
6 from the second knot.
The next SK for this row is tied with
cords 7 - 10.
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Most of the
time, you will tighten the Alternating
Square Knots so they rest close together,
like in this image.
In some patterns, you may be asked to
leave space between the knots, as in the
other images shown.
Make sure the spacing between the rows is
the same, unless the pattern tells you
otherwise.
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Step 3: Repeat
step 1, tying the third row of
ASK with cords:
1
- 4 5 -
8 9 - 12
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Step
4: Repeat
steps 2 and 3 at least one more
time. |
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Double
Alternating Square Knots
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I've seen quite a few vintage Macrame projects
that require you to tie rows of Double
ASK, so here are the instructions.
This type of pattern looks better if the rows of
ASK are close
together. |
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Step
1: For the first row, tie 2
ASK with cords:
1
- 4 5 -
8 9 - 12
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Step
2: Alternate the cords by
tying the ASK in row 2 with cords
3 - 6 and 7 - 10.
When you tighten the first knot in each
set, make sure it rests close to the ASK
in the previous row.
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Step
3:
Repeat
step 1, to make a third
row of ASK.
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By
Using text or images on Free Macrame Patterns,
you are agreeing to our Terms
of Use
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Have
comments about Alternating Square Knots? Contact
Me.
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