Bell Ornament

Description:  This Bell Ornament is very easy to make, and requires you to know only 4 types of decorative knots.  When finished it is approximately 5 inches tall, so it can be used on a Christmas tree or to decorate other holiday decorations.  Try making this Macrame ornament as part of a door hanging or wreath. 

Supplies Needed:

• 4mm Cord Material (38 yards)
• One 1-inch ring
• One 2-inch ring
• One 4-inch ring

Knots Used:

• Reverse Larks Head Knot
• Alternating Square Knots (ASK)
• Double Half Hitch (DHH)
• Square Knot (SK)

Step 1:  Cut 18 cords, each 2 yards long (72 inches).

Step 2:  Take 6 of the cords and pass them through the 1-inch ring, folding them in half as you do so.  You will now have 12 strands to work with.  Secure the ring to your work surface temporarily. 

Use two strands as the working cords, and tie a Square Knot around all the others, which are the fillers.  It should rest just below the bottom of the ring.

Step 3:  Hang the design up by the ring, so the cords dangle. Attach each one to the 2-inch ring with a Double Half Hitch.  Pass each strand into the center of the ring before tying the DHH. The cords should have equal amounts of space between them when you are finished. 

IMPORTANT: Check to make sure the ring is balanced before moving on.

Step 4: Fold the remaining 12 cords in half.  Mount them to the 2-inch ring with reverse Larks Head Knots. Place them between the ones already present.  When finished, you will have 36 strands to make the rest of the Bell Ornament.

Step 5:  Mentally number the cords 1 - 36.  The Square Knots are tied using the two outside strands as the working cords and the inner two as fillers. Tie 2 SK with cords 1 - 4, 5 - 8, 9 - 12, 13 - 16, 17 - 20, 21 - 24, 25 - 28, 29 - 32, and 33 - 36.

Step 6:  Tie 5 rows of Alternating Square Knots as follows:

Row 1: Use cords 3 - 6, 7 - 10, 11 - 14, 15 - 18, 19 - 22, 23 - 26, 27 - 30, and 31 - 34. Combine cords 35 - 36 along with 1 - 2 to make the 9th knot.

Row 2: Use cords 1 - 4, 5 - 8, 9 - 12, 13 - 16, 17 - 20, 21 - 24, 25 - 28, 29 - 32, and 33 - 36.

Row 3: Same as Row 1.

Row 4: Same as Row 2.

Row 5: Repeat Row 1.

Step 7:  Direct all the strands into the 4-inch ring.  Attach each one to it with DHH. 

Adjust the Bell Ornament so there is equal space between the knots in the last row of ASK, and make sure the ring is balanced.

Step 8:  Cut 18 cords, each 4 inches long.  Attach each to the 4-inch ring with reverse Larks Head knots, folding them in half in the process.  Place these short strands between the others, covering the ring completely.  You can add more if the ring is not completely covered.

Step 9:  Trim the ends to 2 inches.  Unravel and brush to form a soft fringe along the bottom of your Bell Ornament.