Galaxy Ring

Description:  The Galaxy Ring is a custom pattern I came up with one day. I needed a way to make a setting for a zodiac bead, and the Spiral Design seemed the best option.  When it was finished I realized it looked like the shape of a galaxy.  Since the bead had stars and a zodiac symbol, the name fit perfectly.  This is a moderate pattern, since you will be working with fine cord to make this Micro-Macrame ring design.

Supplies Needed:

• 1mm Hemp or Cotton Cord
• Project Board and Pins or Tape
• 1 Focal Bead (any shape, 12mm to 15mm in size)

• Spiral Design
• Double Half Hitch (DHH)
• Reverse Larks Head knot
• Half Hitch Spiral
• Square Knot (SK)

Cutting Instructions:

• Cut 8 cords, each 50 inches long. 
• Cut 3 cords, 60 inches long.

Creating the Spiral Design

Step 1:  Take one 60-inch cord and secure it to the project board horizontally.

To start the Spiral Design, attach one of the 45-inch strands to the holding cord, with a reverse Larks Head knot. The ends should be vertical and heading downward. 

Important: Place this first cord 20 inches from the left end of the holding cord.

Attach a second 45-inch cord in the same manner, so the ends of it are upward.  Place it to the right of the first one.

Step 2:  Take the right half of the holding cord and fold it towards the left, passing over the upward strands.  Attach both upward strands to it with Double Half Hitches.

Tip 1:  I found that if I wrapped the end of the holding cord around a T-pin and taped it in place, I could then move it around the board as needed.  This really helped me secure it so it was taut.

Tip 2: Unless you are comfortable making knots upside down, you should arrange the Galaxy Ring on the board so you can rotate the board rather than the knot.

Step 3:  Direct the right half of the holding cord down, passing under the left portion of the same cord.  Attach the right half to the left with a Double Half Hitch. 

This is the most IMPORTANT step, so if you don't understand, go to the page for the Spiral Design located in the Learn Macrame section. There are images that will help you.

Step 4:  The first row of the Galaxy Ring is finished.  Take one of the strands (not the holding cord), and pass it through the hole in the bead.  Bring it down into the center of the design you just made, through the space.  You may need to use tweezers. Secure the bead to the board with either a pin or a piece of tape.

Important:  Make sure you pull on the cord that’s running through the bead very tight when you use it to make the next row of the Spiral Design.  Otherwise, the bead will move around too much, and you will end up needing to apply glue. 

Step 5:  Rotate the right end of the holding cord towards the right. Attach the downward strands to it with DHH.

Step 6:  Add a new 45-inch strand to the holding cord with a reverse Larks Head Knot.  The ends should head downward, and the knot should rest next to the DHH you tied in the previous step.

Step 7:  Rotate the holding cord upward, slightly to the left.  Attach the upward strands to it with DHH.

Step 8:  Repeat step 6, adding another new strand.  The ends should head upward.

Step 9:  Repeat step 3.

Step 10:  Repeat steps 5 thru 9 to make the remaining rows.  Add 2 new cords each time, so the setting for the Galaxy Ring gets wider.  Stop when you have added all the 45-inch cords. 

Step 11:  Tie one more row in the Spiral Design, without adding any more cords.  Apply glue to the knots in the last row, and allow it to dry completely.

Making the Band

Step 12:  Take a 60-inch cord and make a loose Overhand knot in the center of it. Pass one of the strands you pushed aside through the knot, then tighten it.

Take the left half of the 60-inch cord and use it to tie a Half Hitch Spiral onto the other two strands.  That's the opposite half of the same cord, plus the strand coming from the Spiral Design. Make a total of 12 knots. 

Switch cords, using the right half as the new working cord.  Tie 12 or more knots, depending on the size you need the band.  The Spiral Band you are making is half of your ring size, since you will be repeating the process on the opposite side of the Galaxy Ring.  You will have to measure and judge for yourself how many knots are needed.

Step 13:  Repeat step 12, adding a 60-inch cord to the other strand you saved.  Try to make it exactly the same size as the first Half Hitch Spiral design you made.

Step 14:  Take one cord from each half of the band, and tie a very tight Square Knot (no fillers).  Do the same with the other four ends, tying two more SK.  Apply glue to the knots and allow it to dry before cutting off the excess.