Elegant Entry

Description:  The Elegant Entry is a door curtain that features long panels of different lengths.  These beaded panels are joined at the top, while the bottom of them moves freely.  This creates a sturdy Macrame design that will hold up for many years.  The long fringe gives this decoration an elegant appearance.  The measurements are for 5 panels of one color and 4 panels of a second color.  You can make changes to the colors or to the lengths of the panels as needed, simply by cutting the cords longer or shorter than recommended.  

Rated easy to moderate, this Macrame pattern is suitable for beginners who have some experience.

• 6mm Braided Nylon cord (Color A:  300 yards, Color B: 200 yards)
• 1 Tension rod that fits your doorway
• 16mm Barrel Beads (optional)
• 12mm Beads for the fringe (optional)

• Larks Head Knot
• Alternating Square Knots
• Overhand Knot
• Barrel Knot

Cutting Instructions:

Since most doors are approximately 30 x 80 inches, you won’t need a special formula for the Elegant Entry.  If your doors are not the standard size, simply add or subtract cords as needed. Each panel requires 6 cords.  Any of the measurements below can be changed as needed if you want to modify the length or arrangement of the panels.

First Color: Cut 12 cords, each 17 yards long (2 panels, each 80 inches long)
First Color: Cut 12 cords, each 5 yards long (2 panels, each 20 inches long)

Either Color: Cut 6 cords, each 4 yards long (1 panel, 15 inches long)

Second Color: Cut 12 cords, each 7 yards long (2 panels, each 30 inches long)
Second Color: Cut 12 cords, each 9 yards long (2 panels, each 40 inches long)

Top Section

Step 1:  Attach all the cords to the tension rod with Larks Head Knots, folding them in half in the process.  If the rod is not completely covered, add Half Hitches until it is.  Place them in the following order:

(6) 17-yard cords – (6) 9-yard cords – (6) 7-yard cords

(6) 5-yard cords – (6) 4-yard cords – (6) 5-yard cords

(6) 7-yard cords – (6) 9-yard cords – (6) 17-yard cords

You can alter the arrangement of the panels for the Elegant Entry if you wish, but try to have the longest cords at the left and right edges.  The shortest cords should be in the center of the rod.

Step 2:  Tie 5 rows of Alternating Square Knots.  Use 2 working cords and 2 fillers per knot.  Make sure the rows are close together.

Designing the Panels

Step 3:  Separate the cords into 9 groups of 12 cords.  They will be referred to as panels, and are numbered left to right.  Mentally number the strands in each group 1 thru 12 as you complete the following steps:

Step 4:  In group 1 on the left (17-yard cords), tie 2 SK with cords 3 thru 6 and 7 thru 10. Tie a second row of  SK with cords 1 thru 4 and 9 thru 12. 

Step 5:  Slide a bead onto cords 6 and 7, if you decided to use them. If not, tie a SK with cords 5 thru 8 instead.

Step 6:  Repeat step 4.

Step 7:  Tie a Square Knot with cords 3 thru 10 (2 working cords and 6 fillers).

Step 8: Continue on, repeating steps 4 thru 7 until the panel measures 78 inches from the rod to the last row of knots.

Step 9:  Tie 2 SK using cords 1 thru 4 and 9 thru 12.  End the first panel of the Elegant Entry curtain with one more row of SK using cords 5 thru 8.

Step 11:  The other panels for the Elegant Entry curtain are to be made in the same manner, but with a few adjustments:

Panels 2, 4, 6, and 8:  Step 5 should be swapped with Step 7, so the beads are lined up with the large Square knots in the other panels, and vice versa.  In other words, tie the large SK in step 5, and add the beads in step 7. 

Panels 3, 5, and 7 are to be made following steps 4 thru 9 (without modifications).

Panels 2 and 8:  Total length should be approximately 40 inches. 

Panels 3 and 7:  Total length should be approximately 30 inches.

Panels 4 and 6:  Total length should be approximately 20 inches.

Panel 5:  This central panel should be approximately 15 inches long.

Creating the Fringe

Step 12:  Trim all the cords so they are even.  For a beaded fringe, apply the small beads along the length of each cord, followed by an Overhand knot.  Add one at the very tip, followed by a Barrel knot.

For a regular fringe without beads, apply glue to the tips of each cord and allow it to dry completely.  Your Elegant Entry Curtain is now ready to adorn any doorway in your home.