Double Half Hitch
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Horizontal DHH |
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| Description:
The Double Half Hitch (DHH) is vital to the craft of Macrame.
Most of the patterns in existence use this decorative knot
in some form or another. If you tie a series of knots, one
right next to the other, a raised bar will form. You can make
them in any direction, and even form elaborate shapes.
Variations: Diagonal and Reverse DHH are shown below. On separate pages, you’ll find patterns
where the direction of the bar varies to form a particular
design, such as diamonds or stair-step patterns.
Double Half Hitches need to be
attached to another cord, which is called a holding
cord.You can also attach them to rings, dowels,
etc. In an actual pattern, you may be asked to use a separate
piece of cord, or one of the working cords from a previous
step. |
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Step 1:
To practice, mount two or more cords to a ring using Larks
Head Knots. The dangling strands are your working cords. Secure
a separate cord horizontally to your work surface, on
top of the other strands. Moving from left to
right, direct the end up, over and through the resulting loop.
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Step 2: Bring
the same cord around again exactly the same way. The remaining
length of cord should appear to originate from between the
two loops. |
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Step 3: Use the
next cord to repeat steps 2 and 3. The more individual cords
you knot in this fashion, the longer the bar will be. |
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| Tip:
Most DHH need to be snug. Tighten the first part of the knot,
before you make the second. If you make the original loop
too loose, the entire knot won’t be as tight. If for
some reason you need to remove the knots, pull the holding
cord out. |
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Diagonal DHH |
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| To practice tying
the diagonal variation of the Double Half Hitch you will need
at least 5 cords mounted in some way. You will work with the
dangling strands. |
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Step 1: Secure
the mounted cords to a work surface. Take the cord furthest to the
left, and run it diagonally, so it rests on top of the other strands.
Secure it to the table. |
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Step 2: Moving
from left to right, make a Double Half Hitch with each cord.
Bring them up, over, and through the loop, two separate times.
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Step 3: As
you move towards the right, there will be more and more
space above the bar that you’re forming. That is the
way it’s supposed to look.
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| Tip: Since this technique is used so often in Macrame patterns,
practice it repeatedly. To make the bar in the opposite
direction, use the strand furthest to the right as your
holding cord. |
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Reverse Double Half Hitch |
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This image shows a standard DHH. Note that the working cord passes under the holding at the left.
Click on the images to see larger photos. |
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A Reverse DHH (blue) is made by passing over the holding cord, under it, and through the loop, 2 separate times. If you were to turn it over, it would look the same as the standard DHH. So the purpose of this variation is to turn the knot around so the front of it faces backwards. |
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| A Macrame Pattern that uses the Reverse DHH is the Honey Pot Table. The knots are tied in this manner at the top lower ring so that the table top can rest on it. Many table and plant hanger patterns use this variation, so be sure to practice it as you are learning Macrame. |
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