Princess Owl

• 6mm Twist style Macramé cord  (108 yards total)
• Two Round Beads for Eyes (36mm or larger)
• Two 2-inch rings
• 2 Driftwood pieces or dowels
• 12mm Beads for tail (optional)

• Larks Head Knot
• Square Knot + Mirror SK
• Double Half Hitch (DHH)
• Alternating Square Knots (ASK)
• Square Knot Button
• Picot Designs
• Alternating V Patterns
• Wrapped Knot

Cutting and Mounting Process

Cut the cords as follows:

• 12 cords, each 7 yards long
• 1 cord, 3 yards long
• 2 cords, 10 yards long
• 1 cord, 1 yard long
   

Designing the Face

Step 2:  Tie a row of Square Knots, using 4 cords per knot.  There should be 6 of them.  Place them directly under the wood.

Step 3:  For the next row, head right to left and skip past the first 6 strands.  Tie 3 SK.  Don’t use the remaining 6 cords, either.

Step 4:  For the third row, skip past the first 8 cords.  Tie 2 SK. 

Step 5:  For the final row, tie one SK with the 4 cords in the center.

Step 6:  Mentally number the cords 1 thru 24, heading left to right.  Use cord 6 as the diagonal holding cord, directing it towards the center, along the left edge of the Square Knots. Secure it so it’s taut. Attach cords 7 thru 12 to it with DHH. 

Step 7: Use cord 19 as the right holding cord, directing it towards the center, along the right part of the V Pattern.  Attach cords 18 thru 13 to it with DHH (in that order).

Step 9:  Use cords 5 and 20 as the holding cords next, and repeat the process to make the next rows of diagonal DHH.  They should rest right beside the first ones.  Don’t forget to attach one holding cord to the other to complete the V shape. To make the remaining rows:

• Use cords 4 and 21 as holding cords next.  Repeat the DHH.
• The holding cords will now be 3 and 22.  Make the row of DHH as previously described.
• Use cords 2 and 23 to hold the next row of DHH.
• The final row of DHH will be attached to cords 1 and 24.

Step 10:  Make a Square Knot Button consisting of 6 knots (Nose).  Use the 4 strands closest to the center of the design.

Step 11:  Use cords 1 thru 4 and tie a series of Square Knots, forming picots along the left outside edge of the "face". The best way to do this is to make the knot loosely, then pull the left cord sideways and pin it to your board.  Pull on it in the area where the first half of the knot is tied. As you tighten the knot, make sure the loop stays on the board. Try to make sure the picots are about an inch in size, and are uniform.  Stop when the sennit is approximately 6 inches from the first to the last knot.

Step 12:  Use cords 21 thru 24 and repeat step 11, making Mirror Square Knots instead (right facing).  Make the picots the same way, but heading towards the right.  Stop when the sennit is 6 inches long.

Step 13:  Slide the beads onto cords 6 and 7, as well as 18 and 19. These are the eyes of the Princess Owl.

Step 14:  Take cord 12 and use it as a diagonal holding cord, heading left.  Attach cords 11 thru 1 to it with DHH.  The area with the picots will curve to form the head of the Princess Owl.

Step 15:  Use cord 13 as the right diagonal holding cord, and attach cords 14 thru 24 to it with DHH.  This will complete the inverted V pattern and cause the head to curve further.

Locate the two short strands, which should be resting next to the ones on the outside edge.  Tie a Barrel knot in them so the knots rest next to the DHH.  Apply glue and trim off the excess.

Creating the Body of the Princess Owl

Step 16:  Take the 3-yard cord and find the center.  Secure it just below the point of the V design you just made.  This will be a holding cord for now.  Direct it diagonally, to the right and left, forming an inverted V shape. Attach the cords to it with DHH.  This row of knots should rest just below the ones from the previous step.

Step 17:  Push cords 1, 2, 23 and 24 aside for later.  Be sure not to use them until step 24.

Step 18:  Tie one SK with the 4 cords nearest the center of the Princess Owl design. 

Step 19:  Use 2 additional cords to either side of the ones you just used (total of 4), and tie the second row of ASK.  There should be 2 knots.

Do this 2 more times, adding 4 strands with each new row.  The third row will have 3 knots, and the fourth row will have 4 knots.

Make a final row of ASK, using 4 more strands, for a total of 5 knots.

Step 20:  Now decrease the knots in the same manner, but omit 4 cords with each new row.  The final row will be made up of one knot, in the center of the design.

Step 21:  Use the cord furthest to the left (#3) as a diagonal holding cord.  Direct it towards the center.  Attach cords 4 thru 12 to it with DHH. The bar that forms should follow the angle of the Square Knots.

Do the same with the cord furthest to the right (#22).  Attach cords 21 thru 13 to it with DHH.

Attach one holding cord to the other to complete the V shape.

Step 22: Tie a row of Alternating Square Knots so they follow the diagonal shape.  The best way to do this is to start at the upper edge and make the first knot with 4 strands.   Do the same on the opposite side. Work towards the center, using 2 cords from the previous knot along with 2 new ones to make each SK. 

When you reach the point, you will be using 2 cords from 2 different knots (one from each half).

Step 23:  Repeat steps 21 and 22 three more times. You’ll end with the row of Square Knots. If you want the Princess Owl to be shorter, repeat only twice.

Making the Wings of the Princess Owl

Step 24:  Bring cords 1, 2, 23 and 24 back into position. Add a 10-yard cord to 1 and 2 by folding it in half and tying the first half of a SK.  The new strand is the working cord and cords 1 and 2 are the fillers. 

Add the second 10-yard cord to strands 23 and 24, using the same technique.

Step 25:  Leave a 3-inch space.  Tie the first half of the SK, 2 times.  Slide the knot up to the first one made in step 24.  This forms the picots. 

Repeat this process over and over until you have 9 inches of knots. 

Do this on the other side of the Princess Owl as well, forming the second wing.

Creating the Bottom, Feet, and Tail

Step 26:  Use the strand from the left wing, resting nearest the left edge of the body, as the holding cord.  Direct it diagonally, next to the last row of SK.  Attach cords 5 thru 14 to it with DHH.

Step 27:  Use the strand from the right wing nearest the right edge of the body.  Direct it diagonally, as in the previous step.  Attach cords 24 thru 15 to it with DHH.

Step 28:  Connect the 2 holding cords with a DHH.

Step 29:  Repeat steps 26 and 27 three more times, using the cords from the wings as the holding cords.  The rows should be pulled tight so the bars are next to each other.

Step 30:  Attach cords 6 thru 8 and 21 thru 23 to the second dowel or driftwood with DHH. Separating them slightly will appear as if the Princess Owl has feet.

Step 31:  Gather all the strands together just below the wood.  Make a Wrapped Knot around them, using a 1-yard cord.  The knot should be about 2 inches long.  Apply glue to the knot, and allow it to dry.  Trim off the excess from the 1-yard cord only.

Step 32:  To make a beaded fringe for the tail of the Princess Owl, start by trimming the ends so they are even.  Apply beads in different spots along the strands, followed by Overhand knots.  You can also apply them just to the tips.  The last knot should be a Barrel Knot.

Finishing Touches

Cut scrap cords into 8-inch sections.  Attach them to the rings with Larks Head Knots.  Fill in the rings completely, so there are no spaces showing.  Trim the cords so they are even.  Unravel and brush until the design is soft and fluffy.