Chain Curtain Tieback

Description:  This Chain Curtain Tieback is very easy to make, and will give your curtains a real designer look.  They are placed around the curtains, to gather and hold them to the edges of the windows.  What makes these Curtain Ties unique is the fact that there are four sets of chain-like designs that are joined together. There are nicely finished Buttonholes that are used to hold the Tiebacks to the wall near the window. Tassels can be added to them, along with beads or other decorations. At the bottom of the page, I have placed instructions for making simple Tassels for this Macrame project.

You can click on the small images to see larger ones, which will come up in a new window.

• 4mm Cord Material (16 yards)
• 1mm to 2mm Cord Material (for Tassels – Optional)
• Beads (Optional)
• Project Board and Pins
• Screw Hooks

• Chain Sennit
• Double Buttonhole Stitch
• Barrel Knot
• Square Knot

Step 1:  Cut 4 cords, each 4 yards long.  Prepare the ends to prevent unraveling, using one of the methods described in Cord Preparation.

Step 2:  Match the cords up at one end.  Tie a Barrel Knot approximately 1-inch from the end, using all 4 cords working together.

Step 4:  Make a Chain Sennit with one of the cords.   To do this, you make a clockwise loop, passing under the portion of the cord near the Square knot.  Next, rotate the working end counter-clockwise, forming a figure 8. 

Fold the working end into a small U-shaped loop, and push it into the first loop you just made.  Make sure you pass into it from below.  Pull on the new loop to remove the slack from the first loop. Adjust the size of the new loop by pulling on the end.

Tip: If you keep the working end on your left, you will be less likely to twist the sennit as you progress.  If you wish to add beads to your Chain Curtain Tieback, just slide them over the loop you are working on.   Then continue on, creating more links in the chain.

Step 6:  Tie a Square Knot, using the outside strands as the working cords, and the inner ones as fillers.

Step 7:  Repeat Step 3, but instead of closing the Double Buttonhole with a Square knot, tie a Barrel knot instead.  This is the reverse of the process you followed in steps 2 and 3.

Step 8:  Apply glue to the Barrel Knots located at both ends of the Chain Curtain Tieback.  When the glue is dry, trim the excess cord to ½-inch. 

Place a Screw Hook near the curtains you are decorating. The opening in both Buttonholes is placed on the hook, with the Tieback wrapped around the curtain.

Creating Simple Tassels

To make the Tassels for you Chain Curtain Tieback designs, cut 8 cords of 1mm to 2mm material, each 15 inches long.

Fold the cords in half, and tie a Barrel knot in the center.  The cords will work together in a bundle as you tie this knot.  This will produce the head of the Tassel.  If you wish, you can use another type of decorative knot, such as a Figure 8 knot.  For more ideas, see Creating Tassels, located in the Learn Macrame Section.