Casserole Carrier

Description:  This Casserole Carrier is simply a modified Macrame handbag pattern.  It is short and sturdy, and can be lined to keep the warmth in the bag.  This design is for a 14-inch casserole dish.  If you need it larger, simply add more cords to make it wider.  Be sure that you end up with an even number of cords, both back and front. 

Supplies Needed:

• 6mm Nylon Cord, (225 yards needed)
• Two ½-inch dowels, each 18 inches long
• 7 Beads, 25mm or larger, with 10 to 12mm holes
• Project Board and Pins

Knots Used:

• Square Knot (SK)
• Larks Head Knot
• Double Half Hitch
• Alternating Square Knots (ASK)
• Mirror Square Knot (MSK)

Cutting and Preparing Cords

Cut the cords as follows:

Body:  40 strands, each 126 inches long (3.5 yards)
            2 strands, each 30 inches long (holding cords)

Sides: 24 strands, each 90 inches long

Straps:  4 cords, each 198 inches long (5.5 yards)

Prepare the ends with glue, tape, or wax.  See Cord Preparation for more details.

Creating the Straps

Step 1:  Find the center of all four of the 5.5 yard cords (for the straps).  Place them on the project board or work surface vertically.  Slide a bead over all 4 strands, so it rests in the center of them. Secure the cords with pins.

Tie a Square Knot on one side of the bead, using 2 working cords and 2 fillers.  Moving from the center towards the ends, continue to tie Square Knots until the sennit is 6 inches long.

Step 2:  Slide another bead on, over all 4 strands. Before you continue, switch cords, so the working cords become the fillers, and vice-versa.  Continue the sennit for another 6 inches.

Designing the Body

Step 4:  Attach 20 of the 126-inch cords to 1 of the dowels with a Larks Head knot.  If you wish, you can use a different mounting technique, such as the Cats Paw Hitch.  The cords should be folded in half as you mount them to the dowel.  Attach beads to each end of the dowel.  You may need to add glue if they are too loose.

Step 5:  Tie the 8 rows of Alternating Square Knots beginning directly under the dowel.  Each knot should consist of 4 strands.  The 5 knots on your right should be standard Square Knots. The other 5 on your left should be Mirror Square Knots.

Tip:  Switching the direction of the knots is important, so the Casserole Carrier design is symmetrical.

Step 6:  Repeat steps 5 and 6, using the remaining 126-inch cords, and the other dowel.

Making the Sides

Step 7:  Mentally number the strands 1 thru 40.  Apply a piece of tape to cords 1, 2, 39, and 40 to mark them. Be sure to do this for both halves.

Step 8: Fold 2 of the 90-inch cords (for the sides) in half.  Secure them at the fold to your project board.  Tie a Square Knot.  Pull on the fillers to eliminate the slack above the knot. We will call these the “side cords”.

Repeat this process 2 more times, for a total of 3 sets of side cords.

Step 9:  Lay the front half of the Casserole Carrier on your project board. Moving left to right, place the 3 sets of side cords down, so the first set is next to 2 of the marked strands near the right edge of the body. Secure the cords. Tie a Square knot using the marked cords along with 2 of the side cords (first set).  

This knot needs to line up with the 8th row of knots in the front section. 

Step 10:  Tie a SK using the remaining 2 strands from the first set of side cords, along with 2 from the second group.

Step 11: Tie a SK using the remaining 2 strands from the second set of side cords, along with 2 from the third group.  When finished, there should be 2 unknotted cords.

Step 12:  Place the strands coming from one end of the strap next to the other cords.  Tie a SK with 2 strands from the strap, and the 2 unused side cords.

Step 13:  Repeat step 8, except tie MSK instead. 

Step 14:  Attach these 3 sets of side cords as you did in steps 9 thru 12.  The difference is that you will tie Mirror Square Knots to link them.  The first set should be placed to the right of the strap.  The third set of cords should be attached to the back half of the Casserole Carrier. 

Step 15:  Tie another row of Alternating Square Knots below the knots you just tied in the side cords.  Remember that the knots on the left are SK, and the ones on the right are MSK.

Step 16:  Repeat steps 8 thru 15 to make the opposite side of the Casserole Carrier.  You may not be able to lay it down flat like you did before.  The best way is to hold it between your knees while you add the cords.

Make sure the strap is not twisted before you attach it to the other strands.

Step 17:  Hang the Casserole Carrier by the dowels, if at all possible.  It will be easier to work on that way.  To complete the row started in step 15, tie ASK using the cords from only the back and front of the carrier.

Next, tie 15 more rows of Alternating Square Knots going around all 4 sides of the design with each row.

Bottom Section

Step 18:  Arrange the Casserole Carrier on your work surface so the front is facing up.  The dowel should be horizontal. 

Take one 30-inch cord and place it on top of the dangling strands.  It should be balanced, so the middle of it rests in the center of the body.  Secure it so it is taut.

Attach all the cords to it with Double Half Hitches.  Make the knots as tight as you can, so the bar rests against the last row of ASK. 

When you are finished, tie an Overhand knot at both ends of the holding cord, close to the DHH.

IMPORTANT:  It will be a tight squeeze, but you need to get them all in.  Do not attach the cords from the sides!  

Step 19:  Do the same with the back portion of the design, using the other 30-inch cord.

 Step 20:  Set the carrier on your work surface, on its side.  You will now be working on the bottom.  Using ONLY the strands from the front of the Casserole Carrier, tie 8 to 10 rows of ASK until you are almost half way across the bottom. 

To be sure you have tied enough rows to close the bottom, push the sides so they line up with the edges of the bottom section.  The 2 portions of the bottom should meet in the center.  If not, tie another row in each half.

Step 22:  Turn the Casserole Carrier inside out.  Arrange it so you have access to the bottom.  Starting near one edge, take 1 strand from each part of the bottom, and make a tight SK (no fillers). 

Repeat this process with all the other strands, closing the bottom.  Apply glue to all the knots, and allow it to dry. 

Do you want a fluffy bottom on the inside of the carrier?  Cut the cords to 1 inch and unravel. Brush to fluff.

Finishing Touches

Step 23: To secure the sides, pass every other strand through a space along the edge of the bottom section.  Take one of these cords, and one of the others, and tie a SK (no fillers).  Make the knots tight.  Apply glue, and allow it to dry.  If you chose the fluffy bottom in step 22, trim the excess to 1 inch, and unravel these strands too.  For a more finished appearance, weave these ends through the bottom section, but don't trim them as short.

Step 24:  Turn the Casserole Carrier back to right side out.  To close it, bend the dowels towards each other, passing 1 over the other. The strap goes between the 2 dowels.

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