Ribbon Cradle

Description:  I made this Ribbon Cradle back in the 1980’s and am very happy I kept this excellent Macrame pattern.  It features an oval basket made from decorative Square Knots, and four spiral sennits that are attached to rings at the top and bottom. A fabric ribbon is woven near the upper edge of the basket.   Large projects like this are time consuming, and usually require over 500 yards of material.  Keep that in mind if you choose to make this pretty Macrame cradle.

The finished size is approximately 18 inches long x 13 inches wide x 13 inches tall.

• 6mm Nylon Macrame Cord (654 yards)
• Flexible plastic tubing (84 inches long x ½-inch diameter)
• 2 wood dowels (20 inches long x ½-inch diameter)
• Six 2.5-inch metal rings
• Glue
• Ribbon

• Square Knot (SK)
• Spiral Stitch
• Alternating Square Knots (ASK)
• Double Half Hitch (DHH)
• Wrapped Knot
• Larks Head Knot (reverse variation)

Cutting Instructions

• Cut 6 cords, each 2 yards long
• Cut 4 cords, each 4-yards long
• Cut 4 cords, each 15 yards long
• Cut 112 cords, each 5 yards long
• Cut 6 cords, each 1 yard long

Prepare the ends of all the cords, except the last ones on the list (1-yard).  Do this with tape, glue or wax to prevent unraveling as you work on the Ribbon Cradle.

Making the Frame

Step 1: Cut the plastic tubing into two pieces, each 42 inches long.  Take the dowels and mark the center of both of them.

Apply glue along the length of one dowel.  Slide one end of one piece of tubing onto the dowel, pushing it to the center mark.    Take the second piece of tubing and attach it to the same dowel, also to the center mark. 

Creating the Hanger Sennits

Step 2: While you are waiting for the frame to dry, you can start making the hanger sennits of your Ribbon Cradle. 

Start by using the 2-yard cords to wrap 3 rings.  The best way is to use tape to temporarily secure the center of one cord to a ring.  Use the ends to wrap the entire surface, heading in different directions.  To finish, tie a tight Square Knot (no fillers) with the two ends, which should meet at the opposite side of the ring from where they started.  Cut off any excess, and remove the tape.

Step 3:  Take a 4-yard cord and mount it to one ring with a Larks Head Knot.  Next, take a 15-yard cord and mount it as well, so it goes around the first one.  This is called a Nestled Mount, and you can see images of it on the Larks Head Knot page, listed in the Learn Macrame section. 

Mount the cords on top of the knot you tied when you wrapped the ring. 

Tie a Spiral Stitch sennit measuring 55 inches.  The long strands are the working cords and the short ones are the fillers.

Step 4:  Repeat step 3, creating another Hanger sennit. 

Note:  You were working from the bottom to the top as you made the sennits.  So the next step is to attach two sennits to one ring that will be at the top of the Ribbon Cradle hanger.

Step 5:  Pass the 4 cords from 1 Hanger sennit through another wrapped ring.  Fold the cords over the bottom portion of it, arranging them so they cover the SK on the ring.  Leave a 2-inch space between the last knots tied in the Spiral sennit, and the bottom of the ring.  When you are finished, the ends will be heading downward, towards the first ring.

Step 6: Repeat step 5, attaching the other hanger sennit to the same ring. The cords should rest beside the others already present. To make sure the ring is balanced, the ends of both sets of cords should rest on the same side of the ring.

Step 7:  Use two strands from each set of cords to tie a tight Square Knot, passing around ALL the other strands, so it rests just below the ring.  The knot should be tied around both segments of the cords (behind as well as in front of the ring). This will hold the sennits in place while you tie the next knots.

Take a 36-inch cord and make a Wrapped Knot around ALL the cords, from both sennits. This includes the ones you just used to tie the SK.  The knot fits in the 2-inch space you left.  Make it 2 inches long. Apply a generous amount of glue to the entire knot and cut off the excess (from the short cord used to make the wrap), when the glue is dry.

To prevent the ends from sliding through the Wrapped Knot, trim the cords to 4 inches, and tie Barrel Knots at the tips.

Step 8:  Repeat steps 2 thru 7 to make a second Hanger, for the opposite end of the Ribbon Cradle.

Attaching the Hangers to the Frame

Step 9:  Fold 2 of the 5-yard cords in half and mount them to one of the rings, at the bottom.  Make sure you are attaching them to the very first ring you worked with (step 3).  The spiral sennit should be heading upward, and these new cords will be downward.  Attach the cords with a reverse Larks Head knot, followed by 2 Half Hitches, made with each end.

Step 10:  Use a 36-inch cord to make a Wrapped Knot around the 4 strands, so it rests directly below the bottom curve of the ring.  Make the knot 1-inch in size.  Apply a thin coat of glue to the knot and allow it to dry.  Cut off the excess from the cord used to make the knot.

Step 11: Attach all four strands to the frame for the Ribbon Cradle, using Double Half Hitches.  You need to place them near the left end, where the tubing curves.

Tie an Overhand Knot or apply a piece of tape to the ends of these four strands, so you can identify them easily later on.

Step 12:  Repeat steps 9 thru 11, attaching the second hanger sennit to the frame.  Use the one that’s attached to the same upper ring as the one you were just working with.  Place it on the opposite side of the frame, but still at the left end of the Ribbon Cradle.

Step 13:  Repeat steps 9 thru 12 to attach the other hanger sennits to the frame at the right end.

Creating the Basket

Step 15:  Mount 18 cords to the curved area of the frame, between the hanger sennits.  Fold them in half first, and attach them with a reverse Larks Head knot.  Use each end to make a Half Hitch beside the Larks Head. If this section of the frame for the Ribbon Cradle is not completely covered, add more Half Hitches as needed.

Repeat the process to mount another set of 18 cords, to the opposite end of the frame (curved area).

Step 16:  Mount 34 cords to one side of the basket frame, where the dowels are.  Attach them as you did the others (reverse LS + 2 HH).

Repeat the process on the opposite side of the frame. Feel free to add Half Hitches as needed so the frame is completely covered.

Step 17: Locate the four strands you marked, which came from one of the hanger sennits.  Tie a sennit of 3 Square Knots with these cords, so the first knot rests just below the frame.

Do the same with the other marked cords, at each corner of the frame.

Step 18:  Divide the remaining strands into groups of four, and tie 3 SK with each group.

Step 19:  Alternate the cords, so you are using two strands from one sennit and two from the next one over. Tie the first row of Alternating Square Knots, using groups of four strands, all the way around the Ribbon Cradle design.  This will connect the SK sennits you just made.

Lower Area of Basket (Ends)

Row 24:  Mentally number the cords 1 thru 36.  Tie 9 ASK, using all 36 strands.  Each knot should consist of four cords.

Row 25:  Use cords 3 thru 34 to tie 8 ASK.

Row 26:  Use cords 5 thru 32 to tie 7 ASK.

Row 27:  The 6 ASK should be made with cords 7 thru 30.

Row 28:  Use cords 9 thru 28 to tie 5 ASK.

Row 29:  The 4 ASK in this row are made with cords 11 thru 26.

Row 30:  Tie 3 ASK with cords 13 thru 24.

Row 31:  The 2 ASK are tied with cords 15 thru 22.

Row 32:  Tie one ASK using cords 17 thru 20.

Step 22:  Repeat this process at the opposite end of the Ribbon Cradle, using only the 36 cords that are not marked.

Sides of Basket

Row 25: Use cords 3 thru 66.

Row 26:  Use cords 5 thru 64.

Row 27:  Use cords 7 thru 62.

Row 28:  Use cords 9 thru 60.

Row 29:  Use cords 11 thru 58.

Row 30:  Use cords 13 thru 56.

Row 31:  Use cords 15 thru 54.

Row 32:  Use cords 17 thru 52.

Step 25:  Repeat step 24 to tie the final rows of ASK on the opposite side of the Ribbon Cradle basket.

Closing the Bottom

Step A:  Locate four of the marked cords in one corner.  Tie a tight SK with those strands.  Push them out of the way, towards the inside of the Ribbon Cradle.

Step B:  Take the two strands that are resting on either side of the cords you just used, and tie a tight SK.  Push these four strands out of the way, too.

Step C: Continue to use the next cords in line, two from each edge of the V shape, to tie a tight SK.  This draws the corners together, causing the bottom of the Ribbon Cradle to be more rounded.

Step 27:  To close the center of the basket, you should select two strands from each half to make 1 tight SK.  Do this all along the length of the basket, pushing each set of four cords to the inside to get them out of your way.

Finishing Touches

Step 28:  Apply glue to the knots along the seams you just made, and allow it to dry.

Step 29: Turn the basket back the right way, so the ends are dangling below it.  Here are some options for the final finishing touches:

Regular Fringe:  Trim the cords so they are even.  Tie a Barrel Knot at the tip of each strand.  You can also use a Matthew Walker Knot.

Brushed Fringe: Trim the ends and unravel each cord.  Brush the fringe until it is soft and fluffy.

Beaded Fringe:  Apply beads followed by Barrel Knots along the length of each cord, after trimming them.

Finished Bottom:  Trim the ends to 2 inches and weave each strand through spaces in the bottom of the basket.

Step 30:  Weave the ribbon through the spaces between the SK sennits, near the top of the Ribbon Cradle.  Overlap the ends and apply glue to hold them in place.