Seven Point Snowflake

Description:  The Seven Point Snowflake is a wonderful holiday ornament that's easy to make. It's approximately 6 inches wide, so is the right size for a large Christmas tree.  You can also hang it on a wall.  Most snowflake patterns have 5 or 6 “points”, but this one has seven. This is a suitable Macrame project for beginners.

Julie Schermerhorn sent in the suggestion for this project. She cherishes the two snowflakes she receved many years ago from her dear friend, Mrs. Definski. I wrote this custom pattern based on the images she sent me. So I am sharing this beautiful holiday decoration with all of you, as a tribute to Mrs. Definski.

• 2mm Cotton Cable Cord, or similar white material
• One 1.5-inch Ring
• Project Board and Pins
• Fabric or Household Glue that dries clear

Cutting Instructions: 

Cut 14 cords, each 36 inches long.  Prepare the ends with glue, tape, or wax to prevent unraveling.  See Cord Preparation for more details.

You can click on both of the smaller images below, to see larger ones. They will come up in a new window.

Step 1:  Mount all the cords to the ring with Larks Head Knots, folding them in half in the process.  Take each end and add one Half Hitch, so they rest on either side of the Larks head knots. Secure the ring to your project board.

Step 3:  Repeat step 2 with the other cords, so you end up with 6 additional “points” for the Snowflake.  Secure each knot to the project board with a pin. 

Step 4:  Take 2 strands from one SK as well as two more from the next SK over.  Move down ½-inch, and tie a Square Knot.  This is called “alternating” cords, and is an important technique used often in Macrame patterns.

Step 5:  Repeat step 4 with the other cords.  Make sure you always use 2 cords from two adjacent knots to make the new one.

Step 6:  Alternate the cords again, so you use the same groups as in steps 2 and 3. Tie the next row of ASK.   Make sure this row is ½-inch below the previous one.

Design Tip: You can make a third row of Alternating Square Knots, if you wish to make the Seven Point Snowflake a little larger.

Step 7: Spread the design out so it looks like a snowflake.  Go to one of the SK you tied in the previous step.  Move down 1-inch, and tie another SK.   Slide the knot up to rest next to the one above it.  Loops will form, which are called picots. 

Step 8:  Tie a final SK with the same 4 strands.  Tighten it as much as you can.  Apply glue to the knot and allow it to dry completely. 

Step 9:  Repeat steps 7 and 8 with the other 6 sets of cords, forming the rest of the Seven Point Snowflake.

Step 10:  Trim the ends to 1/2-inch.  Apply glue to the ends as well as the last knot tied, so they become stiff.  The ends of the fillers should be vertical, and the other two (working cords) should end up horizontal.