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, mountat least 3 cords to a dowel or holding cord, using Larks
Head Knots. |
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Step 2:
The vertical, dangling strands are your working cords. Secure
a separate strand horizontally to your work surface, resting on
top of the other strands.
Moving from left to
right, direct the first cord up and over the holding cord, so the end rests to the left of the knot. |
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Step 3: Bring
the same cord around again exactly the same way. The remaining
length of cord should come out between the
two Half Hitches. |
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Step 4: Use the
next cord and repeat steps 2 and 3. The more individual cords
you knot in this fashion, the longer the bar will become. |
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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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| The Diagonal Double Half Hitch can be used to form a variety of designs, especially V shapes, and this X shape shown above. It's vital that you know how to tie this variation, since it is used often in Macrame patterns. |
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| Step 1: 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 2: 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. This is the holding cord, which all the knots will be attached to. |
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Step 3: Moving
from left to right, make a Double Half Hitch with each cord.
Bring them up and around the holding cord, two separate times.
Remember that you are progressing left to right, so the working end comes out of the Half Hitches on the left, each time. |
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Step 4: Tie the next Double Half Hitch with the cord to the right of the one you just used.
Most patterns will tell you which strand holds the knots, and the first working cord is usually next to it. So you can often guess which direction you progress.
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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. Attach the cords to it in reverse order, too. |
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Reverse Double Half Hitch |
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This image shows a standard DHH. Note that the working cord starts off by passing under the holding as you begin the first Half Hitch. Then it goes under and over once to create the knot itself.
Click on the images to see larger photos. |
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A Reverse DHH is made by passing over the holding cord, under it, and through the loop, 2 separate times. The secured, or standing end, is the opposite direction. 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. |
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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 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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Free Macrame Patterns has an online store. It's called Acajou Crafts, and to go there, all you need to do is click on any of the banners like the one below.
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