Merry-Go-Round

• 6mm Twisted Style cord (65 yards)
• One 2-inch ring
• Two 9-inch rings
• 4 Ceramic or Porcelain Animal Beads (with 12mm or larger holes)
• 16 Round Beads, 25mm or larger (optional)

• Double Half Hitch
• Wrapped Knot
• Spiral Stitch
• Reverse Larks Head knot
• Square Knot

Cutting Instructions:

• Cut 10 cords, each 36 inches long
• Cut 16 cords, each 3 yards long
• Cut at least 8 extra cords, each 12 inches long

Prepare the ends of the 3-yard and 36-inch cords with tape, glue, or wax to prevent unraveling.  See Cord Preparation for more details.

Top Section

Step 1:  Take a 36-inch cord and use it to wrap the 2-inch ring.  The easiest way to do this is to start in the middle of the cord to start the wrapping.  Use each end to complete the covering.  If you prefer, you can use Half Hitches to wrap the small ring for the Merry-Go-Round. Tie a Square Knot (no fillers) with the ends to secure.  Trim the ends close to the knot.

Step 2:  Fold 8 of the 36-inch cords in half and place them on top of the Square Knot as you pass them through the ring. Center the cords so they are even. 

Use the last 36-inch cord to tie a Wrapped Knot around the strands.  It should rest directly below the ring.  Wrap for at least 1 to 2 inches.  Cut off any excess when you are finished tightening the knot.

Tip: The best way to balance the Merry-Go-Round is to hang the cords up by the ring at the top.  Measure each strand from the bottom of the Wrapped Knot to the spot 6 inches below.  You can apply tape to mark the area.  When you attach each strand to the ring, the DHH should rest at the marked spot.

Step 4:  Fold the remaining cords in half as you add them to the ring.  Attach the cords with reverse Larks Head knots. The heads of the knots need to face towards the inside of the Merry-Go-Round. Arrange the cords as follows:

a. Next to a cord already attached, mount two 3-yard cords.

b. Attach one 12-inch cord. Add a Half Hitch with each end, so they rest beside the Larks Head knot.

c. Go to the next cord already attached to the ring, and move it so it rests beside the others.

d. Repeat steps a thru c, all the way around the ring. If the ring is not completely covered, you can add more Half Hitches as needed, using any of the strands. Just be sure you add them in different areas of the ring, so the Merry-Go-Round is symmetrical.

Step 5:  Trim all the short cords to 2 inches, taking care not to cut the 32 long strands (3-yard cords). 

Middle and Bottom Sections

Step 6:  To make the poles of the Merry-Go-Round, you will use 4 of the 3-yard cords at a time. Two will be working cords and the others will be fillers. So arrange the strands into 8 separate groups. Bring each set behind the short cords before you get started. 

Tie a Spiral Stitch sennit with one group, measuring 8 inches.  Measure from the ring to the last knot tied.

Step 7:  Skip the next 4 cords and repeat step 6 with the following set.  Do this all the way around, so the sennits are made with every other group (total of 4).

Step 8:  For the remaining four groups, tie a Spiral Stitch sennit measuring 5 inches.  Apply the large animal beads over all four strands.  Once the bead is in place, continue on to make the rest of the sennit, for another 3 inches.

Step 10:  Notice that the filler cords are longer than the others.  Cut off the last 12 inches of those strands to be used as extras.  Fold each one in half and attach it to the bottom ring with a reverse Larks Head knot.  Add one Half Hitch with each end. If the ring is not completely covered, you can add more cords as needed. Place these extra cords between each group already in place. The cords coming from the sennits should be together.

Step 11:  Trim all the cords to 2 inches.  Unravel each end and brush until soft and smooth. 

Step 12:  Do the same with the short cords at the top of the Merry-Go-Round.