Pumpkin Decoration |
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Description: This Pumpkin Decoration will add a unique touch to your autumn centerpiece displays. It's designed with a fringe at the bottom, so you can easily add artificial flowers and leaves. Rust colored material looks the best, but orange can be used as well. The stem and top area should be dark green or brown.
The instructions for this Macrame pumpkin is for a 5 inch size, but can be modified to make it larger. I recommend you try to obtain a wire ball frame, but you can use three rings instead.
I've rated this Macrame project as moderate, since you need to be able to tie the knots without securing the cords. So make sure you practice all the knots until you are completely familiar with them. |
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| Supplies Needed: |
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- 6mm cord material (2 colors)
- One 4-inch ring
- One 2-inch ring
- One 1.5-inch ring
- One 5-inch Wire Ball (or three 5-inch rings)
- Flowers, leaves and other small decorations
- Needle Nose pliers
- Fabric or All-Purpose Glue
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| Knots Used: |
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Cutting Instructions for 5-inch Size
- Pumpkin: Cut 20 cords, each 2 yards long (rust or orange)
- Top: Cut 12 cords, each 50 inches long (brown or green)
- Stem: Cut 2 cords, each 36 inches long (brown or green)
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Instructions for a pumpkin decoration over 5 inches in size:
Size of ball x 4 = Minimum number of cords to cut (you can cut more) -- make sure the final number is a mutliple of four (24, 28, 32, etc.). This applies to the orange or rust cords for the pumpkin.
For the top and stem, increase the length to 60 inches or more. |
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Preparation
If you don't have a wire ball, use three 5-inch rings. Place them inside each other, bending them slightly as needed. Wrap the top and bottom areas with wire, right where the three rings meet.
If you are using a ball for the Pumpkin Decoration, push down on the top of it until it's the shape you want. |
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The Stem |
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| Step 1: You will be making a Lanyard knot sennit for the stem of the Pumpkin Decoration. Place the two 36-inch cords on your work surface, and cross them. If you can, secure them at the center. Mentally number the ends A - D, as shown in the images. |
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<< Move segment A to the right, over segment B. There should be a slight curve.
Move segment B upward, passing over segment C. >> |
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<< Move segment C to the left, over segment D.
Move segment D downward, passing through curved area of segment A. > > |
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Step 2: Place the first Lanyard knot under the wires at the top of the frame, where they connect.
Hold it in place, while you tie the next Lanyard knot. Another option is to apply glue to hold the knot in place. |
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This is what the second Lanyard knot looks like when it's finished. Tighten it as much as you can, so it holds to the frame firmly. |
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Step 3: Tie additional Lanyard knots until the stem measures 2 to 3 inches.
You need at least 4 inches to finish the stem at the top of the Pumpkin Decoration. |
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Mentally number the four ends 1 - 4. Tie cords 1 and 2 together with a Square knot (no fillers). Tie cords 3 and 4 together as well.
Add glue before you tighten the knots, placing it on the edge of the stem, so it's on the inside of the knots. |
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Tie cords 1 and 4 together. Do the same with cords 2 and 3. Apply glue to these knots as well.
After the glue is dry, cut off the remaining material, as close to the knots as possible. You can add a little extra glue to the outside if you wish. |
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The Pumpkin |
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Step 4: Mount the 20 cords for the pumpkin to the 2-inch ring with Larks Head knots. It's a tight squeeze, so push the knots closely together.
Slide the ring over the stem so it rests at the top of the wire ball. Arrange the cords into groups of four (2 working cords, 2 fillers). Select a group where the four cords rest over the wire. |
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Step 5: Tie the first half of the Square Knot around the filler cords and the wire. This will anchor the ring to the ball.
Tie the second half of the SK around the filler cords ONLY. |
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Step 6: On the opposite side of the frame, repeat step 5. Make sure the ring is balanced. Then complete the first row of ASK with the remaining cords. |
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Step 7: Continue on, tying more rows of Alternating Square Knots, until you reach the bottom of the Pumpkin Decoration. Tie the knots as you would normally, around the filler cords only (not the metal).
Push up on the knots as you progress, and tighten the knots firmly so there is little space between the rows.
IMPORTANT: Whenever you reach spots where the four cords are over the wires, the metal will easily be seen in the space between the knots. So here's what you do to hide the metal: |
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Wrap one or both of the FILLER cords around the wire at least once.
Then tie the Square Knot. When you tighten it, push upward slightly. |
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Step 8: Pass all the cords through the 4-inch ring. Attach the cords to the ring with either single or double Half Hitches:
The working cords for the last row of SK must be attached with a double Half Hitch. The fillers should be attached with a single Half Hitch. |
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The Leaf Design (Top) |
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The top of the Pumpkin Decoration is supposed to resemble leaves. So you will be making Picots. Each of the 6 leaf designs for the top fit in the areas BETWEEN the metal rings.
Step 9: Start by mounting the 50-inch cords (12) to the 1.5-inch ring with Larks Head knots. Divide the cords into 6 groups of four (2 working cords, 2 fillers).
Design Tip: It's best to make the following design with the cords secured to your work surface. |
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Step 10: Tie 3 Square Knots, placing them 2 inches apart.
Slide the knots upward, so the first one is next to the ring, and the others just below. |
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Step 11: Switch the cords, so the working cords you just used become the fillers, and vice-versa.
Tie a tight Square Knot with the switched cords. It should rest close to the one above it. |
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Step 12: Flip the Picot design over. Use the two working cords from the knot tied in step 11, and tie them together (SK no fillers). Apply glue just below the SK from step 11, so when you tighten this new knot, it's on the inside. You can add more glue to the outside if you wish. |
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Step 13: Repeat steps 10 - 12 with the remaining 5 sets of cords (total of 6 picot designs).
Place the ring over the stem, so it fits inside the 2-inch ring at the top of the Pumpkin decoration. Make sure these designs rest between each metal segment, before completing the following step. |
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Step 14: Trim the ends so they are approximately 2 inches long.
Poke the ends through a space between the ASK, using needle nose pliers. You can add glue to hold them in place if you wish. |
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Finishing Touches |
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Trim the cords at the bottom of the Pumpkin decoration to 2 inches. Unravel and brush the fibers. If you prefer, you can omit the fringe and push all the cords to the inside of the frame. |
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Decorate the bottom area with artificial leaves, flowers, pine cones, and other small items.
By making a fringe, you can apply glue to the fibers, to hold the decorations in place. |
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DIY Gift Package
Create Fun Shaped Gift Boxes and other Arts and Crafts with these UNIQUE templates and patterns.
Excellent Craft Activities for Kids of All Ages |
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