Grace Catcher

Description:  The Grace Catcher is a great Macrame project if your Easter holiday decorations are inspirational.  It features a cross inside a ring, with a long, attractive fringe.   Any size ring can be used, but the measurements are for one that is 8 - 12 inches in diameter.  The instructions for changing the size are below. This is an easy pattern, suitable for beginners.

The credit for this project goes to Sheri Dohner, who requested this custom pattern. She made an extra-large Grace Catcher to help her church members learn about God's Grace in their lives.

• 4mm Macrame Cord (50 yards)
• Project board and pins
• Measuring Tape
• One Ring, 8 to 12 inches diameter
  

• Alternating Square Knots (ASK)
• Double Half Hitch (DHH)

To change the size of the Grace Catcher, cut the cords at least 6 times the diameter of the ring.

Use 2mm cord for rings less than 8 inches in size. Use 6mm cord for rings over 15 inches.

Creating the Cross Design

Step 1:  Cut 25 cords, each at least 2 yards long. Prepare all the cords with one of the methods described in Cord Preparation (tape, glue, or wax). 

Step 2: Place 12 cords on your project board vertically.  Secure them near the center.  Work from the center towards one end. Each knot should be tied using two working cords and two fillers, with row 1 at the center of the cords. Mentally number the cords 1 thru 12. Tie the rows as follows:

• Row 1: Use cords 1 - 4, 5 - 8, and 9 - 12 to make 3 ASK
• Row 2: Use cords 3 - 6 and 7 - 10 to make 2 ASK
• Row 3: Use cords 1 - 4, 5 - 8, and 9 - 12 to make 3 ASK
• Row 4: Use cords 3 - 6 and 7 - 10 to make 2 ASK
• Row 5: Use cords 1 - 4, 5 - 8, and 9 - 12 to make 3 ASK
• Row 6:  Use cords 3 - 6 and 7 - 10 to make 2 ASK.

Note: This is the time to make adjustments, especially if you changed the size of the Grace Catcher. Simply remove or add rows as needed. The band you just made is the top half of the vertical portion. You haven't made the bottom half yet. So if you line up the last row of knots you tied with the middle of the ring, the portion you just made should end below the top of the ring. The band should not actually touch the ring itself. There should be at least an inch of space between the band and the ring. You can have as much space as you want, but the minimum is 1 inch.

• The final knot should now be tied, using cords 5 - 8.

Step 3:  Turn the board around, and repeat step 1, on the other side of the knots made in the center (row 1).  Start with Row 2. You will need to reverse the direction of the Square knots, so they match the ones you already tied.

Do the same on the right, attaching an additional 6 cords.  

Step 5:  You should now have 12 strands to work with, on both sides of the vertical beam.  Mentally number each group 1 thru 12, and repeat step 2, creating both arms. Make sure you check the size of the arms as you did the vertical portion. Remove or add knots as needed, prior to tying the last knot.

Preparing the Hoop

Step 6:  Take one cord and fold it in half.  Attach it to the ring with a Double Half Hitch.  The best approach is to slide the middle of the cord under the ring and use the lower half to make the knot.  The place where the cord is attached is considered the top.

Wrap the cord around the ring to cover it completely.   One half should go one way, and the other will head the opposite direction.  Where the two ends meet is considered the bottom.  Attach both ends to the ring at the bottom, with DHH.

Attaching the Cross

Tip:  When tying Half Hitches, you should pass the cord under whatever is holding the knots, in this case the ring. Otherwise, the knot will be too loose.

Finishing Touches

Step 8:  Trim the ends in all four areas of the Grace Catcher, to neaten them. At the top, you can weave the ends through the cross rather than make a fringe in that area. At the bottom and sides, unravel each strand to produce a wavy fringe.  Make sure you include the ends of the cord used to wrap the Hoop.  If you prefer a beaded fringe, attach beads to the ends followed by Barrel Knots.