Barnyard Pig

Description:  The Barnyard Pig is a great animal pattern to help you learn how to fill rings with Square Knots.  The ears and nose stand out, but the rest of this Macrame design is flat, and is meant to hang on a wall.  This pattern uses only basic Macrame knots, and is rated Moderate, so is suitable for beginners with some experience.

Finished Size: Approximately 21 inches long (head to tail)

• 6mm Macrame Cord (100 yards)
• One 12-inch Ring
• One 9-inch Ring
• One 2.5-inch Ring
• Two 16mm Beads (nose)
• Two 20mm Beads or Animal Eyes
• Wire

• Larks Head Knot (regular and reverse)
• Double Half Hitch
• Overhand Knot
• Alternating Square Knots

Cutting Instructions

• Cut 18 cords, each 4 yards long
• Cut 6 cords, 2 yards long
• Cut 16 cords, each 1 yard long

Designing the Snout

Step 1:  Take one of the 4-yard cords and fold it in half.  Mount it to the small 2.5-inch ring with a reverse Larks Head knot.

Step 2:  Next, make a Double Half Hitch, so the knot rests beside the Larks Head.  Do this with both ends.

Slide one 16mm bead onto each strand.  Direct the cords across the ring, and attach them with Double Half Hitches.  As you complete the next step, try to keep the beads in the center of the ring, since they form the nostrils for the nose of the Barnyard Pig.

Step 3:  Mount 5 more 4-yard cords to the ring with Reverse Larks Head knots.  Next, direct each one across the ring, and attach it with a Double Half Hitch (DHH).  The cords will crisscross to fill in the ring. 

Step 4:  Select one strand to be used as a holding cord.  Attach all the other cords to it with DHH, forming a circular design that follows the curve of the ring. 

Creating the Head

Step 5: Lay the snout design on your work surface, and secure it.  The 12 cords should be spread out, so it lies flat. The beads should be side by side, rather than up and down.

Tie 2 rows of Alternating Square Knots, making sure they are tight and resting close to the snout. Each knot should be made using 2 working cords and 2 fillers, for a total of 3 ASK. 

Step 6:  Add 6 of the 4-yard cords to the strands already in use.  The best way is to center each one under one working cord and one filler of the ASK previously made.  So each knot will have 2 new cords added to it. Use the two ends of the new strand to tie a Square Knot, with the existing cords as fillers. When finished, you will have 24 strands to make the face of the Barnyard Pig.

Step 7: Tie one row of Alternating Square Knots, moving in a circle around the nose.  You should end up with 6 knots.

Step 8: Place the 9-inch ring over the design, which is used to form the head of the Barnyard Pig.  The bottom curve of it should rest next to the last row of Square Knots beneath the nose, so more is above the nose than below it.

Select 12 strands that rest below the nose. Attach them to the bottom of the ring with DHH, which is the "chin" area of the Barnyard Pig.  If necessary, you can tie an additional ASK to fill in any spaces below and to the sides of the nose, before you attach them to the ring.

Step 9: Mentally number the remaining cords 1 thru 12. Slide a 20mm bead (for eyes) onto cords 3 and 4.  Do the same onto cord 9 and 10.  If you used animal eyes instead of beads, attach them between the strands with the washers. 

Step 10: Add 6 more 4-yard cords to the remaining strands, as you did in step 6. You will add them to only the cords making up the middle and upper parts of the face, since the lower ones are no longer available.

Step 11:  Tie several rows of ASK to completely fill in the ring, making sure the design lies flat.  The only portions of the Barnyard Pig that stand out are the snout and ears.

Step 12:  Attach the cords to the ring with DHH. If it is not completely covered, add extra Half Hitches as needed.

Trim 12 cords on the right half of the face, to approximately 2 inches. Direct each one to the back of the Barnyard Pig, and pass it through the back of one or more knots to hold it.  If you wish, you can weave them between the knots instead.  Apply glue as needed to secure the cords.  Another option is to trim them to 1-inch and unravel them to form a fringe.

Making the Body

Step 13:  Place the 12-inch ring below and to the left of the head.   The right edge of it should line up with the center of the nose.  There should be two crossing points, one near the top and the other at the bottom, along the right “cheek” area of the Barnyard Pig.  The 12 remaining cords should all rest inside the large ring.  If not, make adjustments as necessary.

Step 14:  Use two pieces of scrap cord to tie the rings together at the crossing points, using Square Knots without fillers. Make sure the ends are in the back of the design when you are finished.

Step 15: Mentally number the cords. Take cord 1, near the top of the face, and use it as a holding cord.  Attach cords 2 thru 12 to it with DHH. The knots should follow the right outer curve of the 9-inch ring (“cheek”).

Step 16:  Turn the entire Barnyard Pig so the head is at the top and the body below.  As you tie the knots, you will be moving from the area where the two parts join, to the back of the body, where the tail will be located.

Tie two rows of ASK, following the curve of the head. Each of the knots should be made with 4 strands. 

Step 17:  Add 6 of the 2-yard cords to the existing strands, as you did in steps 6 and 10.  You should end up with 24 strands.

Tie 2 rows of ASK.  Attach cords 1, 2, 23 and 24 to the ring with DHH.

Step 18: Continue tying rows of ASK as needed to fill in the ring.  Make sure the design lies flat and does not bulge.  Attach two strands to the ring after 2 rows are tied, as you did in the previous step.  When you are finished filling in the body, attach all the remaining cords to the ring with DHH.

Step 19: Turn the Barnyard Pig around so the head is on the right and the body on your left (just like the images).

Creating the Legs

Step 20:  Separate the 12 cords into two groups of 6.  Mentally number the cords in one group 1 thru 6.

Step 21: Direct cords 1 and 6 towards each other, forming a V shape. They are holding cords, so make sure they are taut and secured.  Attach cords 2 and 3 to holding cord 1, with DHH.

Do the same with cords 5 and 4, attaching them to holding cord 6.  To finish the design, attach holding cord 1 to holding cord 6.

Step 22:  Mentally re-number the cords, and repeat step 21.

Step 23:  Repeat step 22 two more times, for a total of 4 rows. 

Step 24:  Repeat steps 21 thru 23 using the other group of cords, to make the other leg.

Step 25: To finish the legs of your Barnyard Pig, direct each strand to the back of the leg.  Use tweezers to work the ends into the back of the knots, to hold them in place. Apply glue and let it dry before cutting off the excess material.

Designing the Ears

Step 26:  Take one of the 1-yard cords and tie an Overhand Knot in the center of it.  Secure it to a project board or work surface.  Direct each end diagonally to the right and left and secure them, since this is a holding cord. The ends of this strand should be mentally numbered 1 and 18.

Step 27:  Attach 4 of the 1-yard cords to the right portion, and four to the left, with Larks Head Knots (total of 8).  These do not need to be reversed. Mentally number these strands 2 thru 17.

Step 28:  Crisscross cords 9 and 10. They will be the next set of holding cords, so direct them in the same direction as cords 1 and 18.  Secure them so they are taut.  Attach cords 8 thru 2 to holding cord 10 (on the left), with DHH.  Attach cords 11 thru 17 to holding cord 9, which is the one on the right.

Step 29:  Use cords 2, 3, 16, and 17 as the working cords, and the others as fillers.  Tie a thick Square Knot, so it lines up with the last DHH at the bottom of the ear.  This will cause the ear to curve and become more rounded.

Step 30:  Repeat steps 26 thru 29 to make the second ear for your Barnyard Pig.

Step 31: Place the ears on the head, directing the ends of the cords through spaces, to the back of the design.  Tie Square Knots to hold the ears in place.  Apply glue as needed.  Fold the ears so the points are forward over the face.

Making the Curly Tail

Step 32: Use a piece of scrap cord at least 1-yard long to make the tail.  Direct one ends of it through a space in the body, where you want it to rest.  Tie an Overhand knot to hold it in place, making sure it’s in the back of the Barnyard Pig where it can’t be seen. 

Take a 12-inch piece of wire and secure it to the design, next to the cord. 

Step 33: Use the cord to tie Half Hitches onto the wire, forming a spiral design.  Tie enough knots to cover approximately 10 inches.  Fold the end of the wire over the cord to secure it, burying it in the fibers.  Tie a tight Barrel Knot at the tip of the tail.  Apply glue to it as well as the Overhand knot in the back.  When it is dry, cut off the excess material.  Curl the tail into a corkscrew shape.

Use scrap cord to make a hanger, passing it through two spaces in the body, near where it joins with the head.  Tie a tight Barrel knot to make the loop.