Half Hitch Patterns
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| There are several
different Half Hitch Patterns used in Macrame, to make
various types of decorative chains. You should review the process of
making standard Alternating
Half Hitches, and Double
Half Hitches, before trying the different patterns
described below. These particular designs all use holding cords, also called knot bearers. Holding cords are not used to tie the knots at all. When practicing, it helps to use a different color for these holding cords. |
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Basic 3-strand Design
Obtain 3 cords to work with, and secure them to your work
surface. The center one will be the holding cord for all
the knots.
Tie a Half Hitch onto it, using the left strand.
Then make another Half Hitch, using the right one.
Leave
½ inch of space, and repeat the process.
Continue
to alternate back and forth between the strands as you continue
the chain.
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2-By-2
This sennit starts out with 3 cords, the
middle one holding all the knots.
Use the left strand, and
tie 2 Half Hitches onto the holding cord. This is called a Double Half Hitch (DHH). Then do the same with
the right one.
Repeat the process over and over to form the rest of the
chain.
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Long AHH Chain
You’ll need 3 cords to work with for this Half Hitch pattern.
The center cord will hold all the knots.
Step 1: Make 3 or more Half Hitches
with the right strand. Then do the same with the left one.
Step 2: Alternate back and forth between the two strands to make the sennit longer. |
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Other Patterns |
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| A very interesting design can be made by tying the Alternating Half Hitches in what is called a progressive pattern. |
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Progressive Design
You'll need 4 strands to make this interesting design. The 2 strands in the center are the holding cords. Mentally number the cords 1 - 4.
Step 1: Make a Half Hitch with cord 4, around holding cord 3. Make the next HH with cord 1, tying it onto cord 2.
Step 2: Take cord 4 and make a Half Hitch around both holding cords (2 and 3). Finally, take cord 1 and make a HH around the two holding cords.
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| Step 3: Repeat steps 2 and 3 over and over, until the sennit is complete. |
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Alternating Half Hitch with Picots |
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| Picots are a real favorite of mine. So I worked out a way to make an Alternating Half Hitch pattern that features them. |
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Step 1: Mentally label 4 strands. The strands on the outside (1 and 4) are the working cords. The inner ones (2 and 3) are the holding cords.
Step 2: Tie a Half Hitch with working cord 4 around both holding cords. Just below, do the same with cord 1.
Tighten the knots so they are firmly wrapped around the holding cords. |
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Step 3: Move down 1 to 2 inches and repeat the process you just completed.
Step 4: Before tightening, slide the knots up so they rest just below the first two. The loops that stick out at the edges are the picots. |
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Step 5: To secure the picot loops, you MUST tie 2 Alternating Half Hitches just below. Otherwise, the knots are too loose and will slide around.
So repeat step 2, without leaving space between the knots. |
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Step 6: To continue this Half Hitch Pattern, simply repeat steps 3 - 5, at least 1 more time.
Step 7: To end the sennit, tie some type of finishing knot, or a Square Knot, to hold the picots in place (not shown in image). |
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