Diamond Delight Purse

Description:  The Diamond Delight Purse is named for the fact that there are diamond shaped designs on the flap. There are picot loops along the edge as well.  I’m very confident you will be “delighted” with the appearance of this very attractive purse.

This Macrame handbag is approximately 10 x 10 inches in size, and has a wide strap that can long or short.  You can make the clasp as shown, with a Monkey Fist knot, or you can use a pretty button.  This Macrame pattern is rated Moderate, since you need a little experience to understand the steps.

You can click on any of the small images below, and a larger one will come up in a new window.

• 4mm Macrame Cord (168 yards)
• Project Board and Pins
• Shank Style Button (optional)

• Square Knot
• Double Half Hitch
• Alternating Square Knots
• Diamonds
• Larks Head Knot
• Monkey Fist

Cutting Instructions:

Strap:  Cut 4 cords, each 8.5 yards long

Body:  Cut 24 cords, each 5.5 yards long

Button:  Cut 1 cord, 72 inches long (optional)

Prepare all the cords with tape, glue, or wax to prevent unraveling.

Designing the Front Flap

Step 4:  Mentally number the cords 1 thru 12.  Direct cord 6 to the left, and secure it so it’s taut.  Attach cords 5 – 1 to it with DHH. 

Direct cord 7 to the right, and secure it so it’s taut.  Attach cords 8 thru 12 to it with DHH.  You have now completed the top of the first diamond shape for your Diamond Delight Purse.

Step 5:  Mentally re-number the cords, moving left to right. Tie a Square Knot with cords 5 thru 8.

For the next row, tie 2 SK using cords 3 – 6 and 7 – 10.

For the final row, tie 1 SK with cords 5 – 8.

Step 7:  Repeat steps 1 - 3, but add a total of 5 strands onto each holding cord.  You need to end up with 24 cords to work with to make the large diamond in the center (#2).

Mentally number the cords 1 thru 24.  Direct cord 12 to the left, and 13 to the right.  They will be used as the holding cords.  It’s the same as step 4, but you have more strands to work with.

Attach cords 11 thru 1 to holding cord 12 with DHH.  Attach cords 14 thru 24 to holding cord 13. 

Step 9:  Tie SK with cords 9 – 12 and 13 – 16.  Just below, tie 1 SK with cords 11 – 14.

The photo above is also upside-down, since that is the direction you are working.

Step 10:  Tie a SK with cords 3 – 8.  There will be 4 filler cords for this knot, and the “head” should face left.  Do the same with cords 17 – 22, but make sure the knot is a right facing SK (mirror SK). 

Look at the image for step 8. You can see that these two larger knots rest on either side of the buttonhole for the Diamond Delight Purse.

Step 11:  Now it’s time to connect the three designs you just made, to construct the flap for your Diamond Delight Purse. Arrange the two smaller diamonds on your board, so #1 is on the left, and #3 is on the right.  The large diamond fits between them.  Mentally number ALL the cords 1 thru 48.

Step 12: Mentally re-number the cords 1 thru 48.  You will now be making the rows of DHH again to complete the lower half of the three diamond shapes. Follow the steps below to work on the diamond on your left (#1):

12A: Direct cord 1 diagonally, heading right and towards the center of the diamond shape. It should rest along the edge of the SK.  Attach cords 2 – 6 to it with DHH.

12B: Direct cord 2 the same direction, so it rests next to the bar you just made.  Attach cords 3 – 6 to it with DHH.  Attach the previous holding cord (1) to it as well. 

Tip: Pull all these knots tightly so there is little space between the 2 rows of DHH.  The bars look better if they are close together.

12C: Direct cord 12 diagonally, heading left and towards the center of the diamond.  Attach cords 11 thru 7 to it with DHH.

12D: Direct cord 11 in the same direction.  Attach cords 10 – 7, along with the previous holding cord (12).

12E: Tie a Square Knot with the four holding cords, just below the point of diamond #1.

Step 13: Follow the steps below to finish the central area for the Diamond Delight Purse:

13A:  Direct cord 13 diagonally, heading right and towards the center of the diamond shape.  Attach cords 14 – 24 to it with DHH. 

13B:  Direct cord 14 in the same direction.  Attach cords 15 – 24 to it with DHH.  Be sure to also attach the previous holding cord (13).

13C:  Direct cord 36 towards the center of the diamond shape, heading left.  Attach cords 35 – 25 to it with DHH. 

13D:  Direct cord 35 in the same direction.  Attach cords 34 – 25, along with the previous holding cord (36).

13E:  Tie 2 Square Knots with the four holding cords, just below the point of this diamond.

Step 14:  Follow these steps, to complete the diamond near the right side of the Diamond Delight Purse.

14A:  Direct cord 37 diagonally, towards the center of the diamond shape (right).  Attach cords 38 thru 42 to it with DHH.

14B: Direct cord 38 in the same direction. Attach cords 39 – 42, along with holding cord 37.

14C: Direct cord 48 left and towards the center of the diamond shape.  Attach cords 47 – 43 to it with DHH.

14 D:  Direct cord 47 the same direction. Attach cords 46 – 43, along with holding cord 48.

14 E:  Tie a Square Knot with the four holding cords, just below the point of the diamond.

Step 15: Mentally re-number all the cords.  Tie SK with cords 11 – 14, as well as 35 – 38.

Step 16:  Tie a SK with cords 1 – 4, so it lines up with the one tied in step 12E.

Tie a SK with cords 9 – 12, as well as 13 – 16.  Do the same with cords 33 – 36, along with 37 – 40. 

Tie the final SK in this row with cords 45 – 48, so it lines up with the one tied in step 14E.

Step 17:  Tie a SK with cords 11 – 14, as well as 35 – 38.

Step 18:  The SK you just tied formed another set of diamonds for the Diamond Delight Purse flap.  They now need to be outlined with the DHH as you did in previous steps.  The first one on the left is actually half of a diamond, so is a little different than the others:

Cord 6 is the first diagonal holding cord, heading left (towards the edge of the flap). Attach cords 5 thru 1 to it with DHH. 

Cord 5 is the next holding cord.  Attach cords 4 – 1, as well as holding cord 6, with DHH.

Step 19:  The next design is a full diamond shape.  It's still on the left half of the Diamond Delight Purse, but is a little closer to the center. Here are the instructions:

19A:  Cord 7 is the first holding cord, which heads right, towards the center of the diamond.  Attach cords 8 thru 12 to it with DHH. 

19B: Direct cord 8 in the same direction.  Attach cords 9 thru 12, as well as holding cord 7.

19C:  The next holding cord is 18, and it heads left, also towards the center. Attach cords 17 – 13. 

19D: For the second row, the holding cord is 17.  Attach cords 16 – 13 to it, along with holding cord 18.

Step 20:  The next area is on the right half of the Diamond Delight Purse, and is a full diamond:

20A:  Direct holding cord 31 to the right, towards the center of the diamond shape.  Attach cords 32 – 36 to it with DHH.

20B:  The next holding cord is 32.  Attach cords 33 – 36, along with holding cord 31.

20C: Cord 42 is the next holding cord, heading left.  Attach cords 41 – 37 to it with DHH. 

20D:  Cord 41 runs in the same direction.  Attach cords 40 – 37 as well as holding cord 42.

20E: Tie a Square Knot with the four holding cords.

Step 21: To make another half diamond, near the right edge of the Diamond Delight Purse, follow these steps:

21A:  Cord 43 is the holding cord, and should be directed to the right.  Attach cords 44 thru 48 to it with DHH. 

21B:  Cord 44 is the next holding cord.  Attach cords 45 – 48 and holding cord 43.

Step 22:  Mentally re-number the cords 1 thru 48.  Tie this row of Alternating SK with cords 5 – 8, 17 – 20, 29 – 32, and 41 – 44.

Step 23:  Tie the next row of ASK with 3 – 6, 7 – 10, 15 – 18, 19 – 22,
27 – 30, 31 – 34, and 43 – 46. This completes the flap for the Diamond Delight Purse.

Creating the Back, Bottom, and Front

Step 24: Tie 27 more rows of Alternating Square Knots to make the back of the Diamond Delight Purse.

Step 25:  Take one of the strap cords (8.5 yards) and fold it in half.  Secure it in the center, placing it to just to the right of the purse.  Direct it across the strands, heading right to left, so it rests just below the last row of ASK. It will be used as a holding cord, so make sure it’s taut.

Attach all 48 cords to this new holding cord, with DHH. Look closely at the image at the top of the page. You can see the bar that is formed at the bottom of the handbag. That's where you are now.

Just below the bar, tie 3 rows of Alternating SK. Make sure these knots are pulled tightly and are close together. These knots form the bottom of the Diamond Delight Purse, and need to be very sturdy.

Take the other end of the holding cord and direct it to the left.  Attach all the strands to it with DHH.  When finished, both ends of the holding cord should be on the left side of the Diamond Delight Purse.

Step 26:  Tie 21 rows of Alternating Square Knots to make the front of the purse. Make sure you do not use the holding cords for this step.

Step 27:  Direct cord 1 towards the right, across all the other strands.  It will be a holding cord, so make sure it’s taut.   Attach the remaining 47 cords to it with DHH. 

Step 28: Trim the ends of the 47 strands to 2 inches long. If you plan to use a liner, sew it onto the purse now, before the sides are made.  You can use fabric glue to attach the lining as well.  If you do not use a liner, simply weave the ends into the overall design.  Make sure they are on the inside of the Diamond Delight Purse. Apply glue as needed to hold the ends in place. 

Creating the Sides and Strap

Step 29:  Go back to the bottom of the Diamond Delight Purse and identify the two ends of the holding cord used in step 25.   Between them are the three rows of ASK.  There are spaces along the edges of the Square Knots.  Mount the remaining 3 cords for the strap through these spaces. They should all be on the left side.  Mount the cords with Larks Head knots.

As you make this area of the purse, you will create the left side panel first, moving from the bottom towards the top.  Then you will continue on, making the rest of the strap.  Finally, you will make the right side of the purse, from top to bottom.

Step 30:  Mentally number the cords 1 thru 8.  Hold the purse between your knees or on the table so you have access to the left side.  It helps if you fold the Diamond Delight Purse the way it’s supposed to be when it’s finished.

Row 1: Tie a SK with cords 3 thru 6. 

Row 2: Pass cords 1 and 2 through a space in the front, near the edge.  Do the same with cords 7 and 8, but pass them through a space in the back of the purse.  You are essentially "lacing" the two halves together, as you do with shoes. Tie a SK with cords 1 – 4 as well as 5 – 8.

Row 3: Tie a SK with cords 3 – 6.

Row 4: Repeat Row 2, but only cords 1 and 8 should be passed through the spaces in the body of the purse.

Rows 5 and up:  Repeat rows 3 and 4 over and over, all the way up the side of the purse.  Stop when you reach the DHH you made in step 27 (top edge of front).

Step 31:  Continue making rows of ASK for the strap of your Diamond Delight Purse.  The only difference is that you will not be attaching the cords to the purse.  Stop when the strap is the size you want.

Step 32:  Now it’s time to make the right side of the Diamond Delight Purse.   This process is a repeat of what you did in step 30, but in reverse order:

Row 1:  Tie the ASK with cords 3 – 6.

Row 2:  Pass cords 1 and 8 through spaces along the edge of the back and front.  Tie 2 ASK with cords 1 – 4, and 5 – 8.

Rows 3 and onward:  Repeat rows 1 and 2, all the way down the side.

In the final 2 rows, pass 4 cords through the spaces (1, 2, 7, and 8) before tying the 2 ASK.  A final SK should be tied with cords 3 – 6.

Finishing Touches

Step 33:  Turn the Diamond Delight Purse inside out.  Make sure all the ends are resting on the inside.  Take 2 strands at a time and tie Square Knots without fillers.  Apply glue and cut off the excess material when it is dry.

Another option is to trim the ends to 2 inches and weave them into the overall design. 

Step 34:  Make a Monkey Fist Knot with the 72-inch cord.  When you are finished tightening it, attach it to the front of the purse where the buttonhole will rest when it’s closed.  You will need to fold the flap to figure out where to secure it.

If you prefer, you can use a regular plastic shank type button or a large bead.  Pass a piece of 2mm cord through the shank and attach it to the front of the handbag, lined up with the buttonhole in the flap.