Knotting Tips

Essential Supplies

The use of a Project Board is absolutely essential. If you don’t know where to purchase one, make one yourself. You cannot hope to control the tiny, thread-like cords, without using tape and pins. You can use a bulletin board made of cork, or cardboard, or even a firm, flat pillow.

Make sure you have cellophane tape, T-pins, and/or straight pins; you will use them often. Bulletin Board Pins, shown in the photo above, are especially useful, so have some handy. See Macrame Supplies for more details.

Cutting and Preparing Cords

When cutting the cords to the proper length, measure each one separately. Do not be tempted to use one cord to measure out a new one. They get tangled too easily.

Prepare the cords immediately after you cut them, by applying wax or glue to the ends. Leather cord is the exception to this; it does not unravel. If you are using beads, the glue preparation is the best technique to use. See Cord Preparation for more details.

Keep the cords bundled together when not in use. I like to use little plastic bags if there are a large number of cords.

Controlling Fine Cords

Another important Knotting Tip to remember when working with fine cords is to “secure as you go”.

If you get in the habit of securing every loop and fold with tape or pins, control will not become a problem for you.

If you use tape, put it on in the same direction the cord is lying. The strand won’t slip out of the tape as easily.

One of the most important Knotting Tips I have for you is:

Do not put pins through leather, Satin or Silk cord. They will damage the fibers. It's better to use tape to secure these materials.

Here’s a great alternative:

Cross-Pin Technique

Lay a piece of cord horizontally in front of you. Use leather if you have some. Put a pin in front of the cord, leaning backwards. Put the second one behind the strand, leaning forward. The two pins should cross, with the cord between them.

Know Your Knots

Prior to starting any project, make sure you know how to tie ALL the knots called for in the pattern. Most Micro-macrame projects usually standard knots, such as the Double Half Hitch and the Square Knot. I always practice unusual knots before I start a project, just to be sure I know what to expect.

Micro-Macrame literally means "small", so it is important that you make the knots in your design as small as you can, but still be able to see the detail. This is the trickiest part of knot tying to master. Before I would even consider trying the knots with small, dainty threads, I practiced ALL the knots in Learn Macrame with thicker cord. I would highly recommend you practice each of the knots so you can tie them easily, alone and in combinations. Then practice making them very, very small.

Applying Beads

Here's another important Knotting Tip: Don't overdo the beads!

They work out great in Micro-macrame because the cords are so small, but you can easily put in too many. I’ve followed some patterns using beads that looked good on paper, but the reality was very different. There were just too many of them, and as a result, the item was not appealing.

Also, make sure the beads themselves are not too large for the overall design. A Pendant, for example, can easily deform the knots if it is too heavy. So try to find beads, charms, and pendants that are light weight and small, while still having the size holes you need. See Macrame Beads for specific details about the different types and shapes you can choose.

Choosing Cord

The final Knotting Tip I have for you is : Choose your Cord Materials Wisely.

Needless to say, the type of cord you use will make a huge difference. Many people like to rely on the standard Nylon cord, but you can use Silk, Satin cord, Round Leather, Flax, or even Cotton Embroidery cord. For more information about these and other types of materials, see Macrame Cord.