Free-Macrame-Patterns.com Logo
Free Macrame' Patterns Home Page
Macrame' Essentials
Learn Macrame' Knots
Micro-Macrame': Jewelry
Free Macrame' Patterns
Macrame' for Kids
Advanced Macrame'
Macrame' Dictionary
Contact Free-Macrame-Patterns.com
Etsy Shop
 
Free-Macrame-Patterns.com Left Side Background Image
 
Custom Search

Natural Wreath


Natural Wreath

 
Description:  The Natural Wreath features a tree shape with unique leaf shaped designs made with Double Half Hitches.  

It's attached to a grape wreath frame, but a different type of large ring can be used as a substitute.

The material used in the example was Cotton Cable Cord, a natural material.


This Macrame pattern is rated moderate, so be sure to practice the knots before starting. 

You must know how to tie Double Half Hitches
without a project board.  The leaves are easier to make if you can move the holding cord as you progress, and controlling it in your hand really helps.


When cutting the cords, choose the appropriate cord length for the ring you are using (see chart).  The total amount of material needed is based on these cord lengths, so use the chart for that as well.

This Macrame design was suggested by Cindy K.
 


Supplies Needed:
  • Cord Material (see chart below).
  • One Ring or Wreath frame
  • Fabric Glue
  • Tape or Clips


Knots Used:



Preparation



Cut the primary cords to the lengths shown in the chart below. 

For rings larger than 18 inches, multiply the diameter of the ring by 8, and divide by 36 to get the yards.  Cut each cord to that length. 
 


Ring Diameter
Length of Each Cord
Material Size x Number of Cords

Total Yards to Purchase







Under 12 inches
2 yards
2mm x 40 cords
80 yards
12 - 13 inches
3 yards
3mm x 40 cords
120 yards
14 - 16 inches
3.5 yards
3mm x 40 cords
140 yards
17 - 18 inches
4 yards
4mm x 40 cords
160 yards



Prepare all the cords to prevent unraveling. 

For twist style material use masking tape or Overhand knots.



Grape Vine Wreath

When using a Grape Vine Wreath, make sure you use only a small portion of it. 

The top and lower areas, where the cords will be attached, should have only two to four rows and be as thin as possible.

Weave the ends into the overall shape to keep it stable.



Reverse Larks Head

Step 1:  Determine which portion will be the top, and begin mounting the cords.

Fold one cord in half and place it on the front of the ring.  Bring the ends behind the ring, and pull them toward you, passing over the folded area. 

This is a REVERSE Larks Head knot.




Half Hitch

Step 2:  Add a Half Hitch by passing one of the ends over - under the ring, and over the cord as you pull it down to tighten.

Do the same with the other end.  The resulting knot will look like the one on the right.



Step 3:  Repeat steps 1 - 2 until all the cords are mounted to the top of the ring.

Organize the cords into groups of 10, keeping them bundled when not in use.




divider

Leaf Designs -- Row 1


The top area of the Natural Wreath is made with leaf shaped designs.  The following steps show you how to make the leaves for the first row, just below the mounting knots.

To create the curves you must be able to move the holding cord

For that reason, it's easier to make this design WITHOUT securing the holding cords to a project board.  Control the holding cord in one hand as you tie the knots with the other.



Step 4:  Mentally number the first group of 10 cords on the left. 

The cord furthest to the left is the holding cord (1), and the others are tied to it with Double Half Hitches (DHH).

The Half Hitches in this area of the Natural Wreath are tied rotating in a counter-clockwise direction, since you are moving left to right.


Holding Cord 1

Step 5:  The holding cord should be horizontal when attaching cords 2 - 4.

Reposition it so it's slightly curved, and then attach cords 5 - 7.  

Move it again, so it's diagonal.  Attach cords 8 - 10



Curve



This is what the top edge of each leaf should look like after working cords 2 - 10 are attached to the holding cord.

Push the knots close together before moving on.





Holding Cord 2

Step 6:  For the lower portion of the leaf design, use the cord furthest to the left (cord 2), as the holding cord.

This image shows the angle the holding cord should rest as the first 4 cords are attached (see below).
 


Angles

Step 7:  Attach Cords 3 - 6 to the holding cord which should be positioned diagonally.

Move the holding cord so it rests horizontally and then attach cords 7 and 8.



Slant

Step 8:  Move the holding cord on an upward diagonal slant.   

This is necessary so you don't cause the cords in the center of the leaf to curve; they should remain straight.

Attach cords 8 and 9, as well as holding cord 1, to holding cord 2.



Repeat


Step 9:  Repeat steps 5 - 8 with the next three groups: 
  • Cords 11 - 20
  • Cords 21 - 30
  • Cords 31 - 40


Mentally re-number the cords 1 - 10 as you start each leaf, so the instructions are the same. 

Cord 1 is always the holding cord for the top of each leaf, and Cord 2 is for the bottom.



Step 10:  To keep the Natural Wreath is as symmetrical as possible, the leaves on the right half of the design are made right to left.

Organize the remaining cords in groups of ten. Cords 41 - 50 are shown in the next image. 

Make sure the Half Hitches are tied rotating clockwise.



Opposite Direction

Step 11:  Mentally number the cords 1 - 10 each time you use a new group.

The holding cord for the top of the leaves is cord 10.
For the lower row, use cord 9 as the holding cord.

The curves are made as in steps 5 - 8, but in the opposite direction.



Center Detail

This image for the first row of the Natural Wreath  shows the two leaves closest to the center. 

You can clearly see they are arranged in opposite directions, and slant downward.





divider

Leaf Designs -- Rows 2 - 4



For the second row of leaves for the Natural Wreath, you will alternate the cords and reverse the direction of the leaves.

Refer to steps 5 - 8 if you need more help forming the curved shape.



Alternate the Cords


Step 12: Mentally re-number the cords. Do not use cords 1 - 5. 

Locate cords 6 - 10 and 11 - 15.  These are combined to make the first leaf design in row 2

The knots are tied right to left (opposite of row 1).



Holding Cord 15

The holding cord for the upper portion of the leaf is cord 15 (furthest to the right). 

Start with the holding cord horizontal, and then change to a diagonal slant to form the curve. 

The holding cord for the lower portion is cord 14



Two Leaves

Step 13:  Tie two more leaf designs with cords 16 - 25 and 26 - 35.  

Do not use cords 36 - 45, which are at the center of the Natural Wreath design.



Right Side

Step 14:  For the right half of the Natural Wreath, do not use cords 76 - 80. 

Create 3 leaves with the remaining cords, moving left to right.  The image shows cords 66 - 75. 

The holding cord is furthest to the left (cord 66 for the top and 67 for the bottom).



Step 15:   For Row 3 of the Natural Wreath, you skip past 5 more cords (total of 10), on both sides.

Do not use cords  31 - 50, at the center of the design. 



Row 3


Tie 2 leaves in the same direction as row 1.

On the left you use cords 11 - 20 and 21 - 30. 

On the right, you start with cords 61 - 70, and tie the next leaf with 51 - 60.
 



Final Row

Step 16:  For row 4, you make one leaf on each half of the Natural Wreath design.

Use cords 16 - 25 on the left. Use cords 56 - 65 on the right.

Create the leaves the same direction as row 2.



Center

Step 17:  Create one more leaf in the center of the Natural Wreath design, using cords 36 - 45.

It should be made left to right.




divider

Branches and Trunk


The branches for the Natural Wreath are made with a simple wrapping process.

You can use other techniques if you wish, such as a Half Hitch Spiral


 
Select Cords

Step 18:  Select 2 - 4 cords from each leaf to form the branches. 

Do not select cords from the first and last leaves in rows 1 and 2. 




Move the other cords to the back of the design and hold them out of the way with clips or tape.  

Make a written plan as to how you want the branches arranged.  You will intertwine them as you progress with the wrapping, so decide now which cords are best for your design.

The goal is to have all the branches meet together in the center to form the trunk.


Once you are certain which cords you will use for the branches of the Natural Wreath, you can cut and finish off the other cords. 

Finishing:  Move each cord to the back of the leaf it comes from and adhere it to the back with glue. 

You can also work the ends through the back of the knots to hold them in place.  

Save any scraps over 36 inches in length.



Wrap Details

Step 19:  Make the first branch with one set of two cords. 

Wrap the right cord around the left, to the length you need to reach the area where the branches will begin to join together.

Secure the wrapped portion with a Half Hitch after you are finished (when not in use).



Step 19, continued:  Create a branch with each set of two cords.

You will be able to change the size of the wrapped area as needed, so just focus on wrapping them ALL right now.   



Intertwine Branches

Step 20:  Follow your written plan and intertwine the branches before joining two together. 

When you connect the branches, remove the Half Hitches.

Wrap 3 cords with one that was previously used to wrap.  This will make the joint neater. 




Gather in Center

Step 21:  Link all the single branches following your design.  Progressively connect them with other groups, moving towards the center, eventually gathering the cords into one bundle. 

Make sure ALL the branches curve.

Wrap one cord around the entire bundle a few times and secure it with a Half Hitch.



Step 22:  Place a 3-yard cord under the bundle and secure it. 

To make the trunk for the Natural Wreath, tie the Spiral Stitch as described below.



New Cord

<<< Move the left end over the bundle and under the right end.

Move the right end under the bundle and over the left end, as you pull it out on the left.  >>>

Half Knot



Tie at least 9 more knots as shown above, and then twist the design so the ends switch places (1/2 turn).   

Count the number of cords in the bundle.  Cut off any that are shorter than the others. 

Make sure you end up with an even number
(10, 12, 14, etc.). 


Then continue on, repeating the Spiral Stitch so it twists at least one more time. 

Stop when the trunk for the Natural Wreath is the length you want.





divider

Lower Area and Fringe



Step 23:  The lower area is made with short runs of Alternating Half Hitches. 

You can change this to a Half Hitch Spiral if you wish.



Half Hitch 1
Divide the cords into sets of two.

<<  Tie a Half Hitch with the right cord onto the left.

Tie another Half Hitch with the left cord onto the right.  >>
Half Hitch 2



Alternate back and forth between the two cords to continue.   

Stop when the sennit reaches the bottom of the wreath frame, when it's stretched. 

Be careful not to make it too long, or it won't fit properly!

Repeat this process with all the remaining cords.



Attach to Ring

Step 24:  Slide each sennit under the lower edge of the wreath. 

While pulling it taut, attach each cord to the ring with a Double Half Hitch (or a Triple Half Hitch). 

Attach pieces of scrap cord to the spaces between those already on the ring, with reverse Larks Head knots.



Overhand Knot

Step 25:  Divide the cords into small groups

Use the cords in each group working together to tie Overhand knots. 

Make sure they rest close to the lower edge of the Natural Wreath.



Step 25, continued:  Trim and unravel each cord into separate fibers to form a soft wavy fringe. 

This represents the "roots" of the tree.

 


divider


By using any text or images on Free Macrame Patterns, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use


                          

Have any comments about the Natural Wreath? Contact Me.



 
Macrame Cord Divider
 
 

 




Free-Macrame-Patterns.com Footer