Tiny Turtle

Description:  The size of Tiny Turtle depends on the thickness of the cord material you use. Making him with 4mm cord will end up approximately 2 inches in size.  To make him even smaller, use 2mm cord. Then you could use him as a pendant for a necklace or as a decoration.

The primary knot used is called a Shell Knot, sometimes referred to as a Berry Knot.  It’s perfect for the shell of this little guy, and is a very interesting decorative knot to make. 

This Macrame pattern is easy enough for kids and beginners to make, but be sure to practice the knots before you get started.  Zarrina Akbarova sent in the suggestion for this project.

Click on the small icons to see larger images, which will show up in a new window.

• 2mm to 4mm Macrame Cord (Nylon used in image)
• Project Board and Pins
• Tweezers or Needle Nose Pliers
• Fabric or Household Glue

• Shell Knot
• Larks Head Knot (reverse variation)
• Square Knot
• Double Half Hitch
• Wrapped Knot

Cutting Instructions:

• Cut 6 cords, each 30 inches long
• Cut 5 cords, each 50 inches long

Prepare the ends with glue, wax, or tape to prevent unraveling while you work.  This is especially important if you use twisted style cord to make Tiny Turtle, since it unravels very easily.

Designing the Shell

Step 1:  Place 2 of the 30-inch cords on your project board horizontally (side to side), and secure them so they are taut. Locate the center of the strands.

Step 2:  Mount the 50-inch cords to them with reverse Larks Head knots. The heads of the knots will rest face down. One should be placed in the center, with two strands to either side.  The cords should be folded in half as you mount them.

Step 3: Mentally number the strands 1 thru 10. Direct cord 6 to the left, diagonally. Secure it so it’s taut, since it is a holding cord.  Direct cord 5 to the right, and secure it as well.

Step 4: Attach cords 4 thru 1 to the left holding cord with Double Half Hitches (in that order).  Tighten the knots as much as possible.  Before you attach the last strand (#1), curve the holding cord downward slightly, to make the design a bit rounder.

Attach cords 7 thru 10 to the right holding cord with DHH, as you did the others. 

Step 5:  Tie a Square Knot with cords 1 thru 4 (2 fillers).  It should rest against the bar formed by the DHH.

Tie a Mirror SK (right facing) with cords 7 thru 10, placing it to the right of the first one.

Step 6:  Direct cord 7 to the left, to be used as the next diagonal holding cord.  Secure it so it’s taut, resting right under the SK on the left. Attach cords 4 thru 1 to it with DHH, in that order. 

Step 7: Direct cord 8 to the left, as the next holding cord.  Attach cords 4 thru 1 to it with DHH.

Step 8:  Repeat the process two more times. Use cord 9 as the holding cord next, followed by cord 10. 

Step 9:  Tie a very tight SK using cords 1 thru 4, on the left.  Do the same with cords 7 thru 10 on the right, but make it a Mirror SK.   This will cause the shell of the Tiny Turtle to pop upward.

Step 10:  Mentally re-number the cords 1 thru 10.  The secured holding cords used in step 3 should now be thought of as 1 and 10.

Direct cord 1 diagonally, towards the center of Tiny Turtle’s shell.  It should rest next to the SK tied in step 9.   Secure it so it’s taut.  Attach cord 2 to it with a Triple Half Hitch (1 Double HH + an extra HH).  Attach cords 3 thru 5 to it with Double HH.  Make these knots as tight as you can.

Step 11:  Repeat the previous step on the right, using #10 as the holding cord.  Attach cord 9 with a Triple HH, and cords 8 thru 6 with Double HH.

Step 12:  Attach the left holding cord to the right one with a DHH to complete Tiny Turtle's shell.

Creating the Neck and Head

Step 13:  Remove the pins from the first set of 2 holding cords used in step 1, at the top of the shell. These strands will now be used to make the head and neck. It helps to re-secure Tiny Turtle to your board, passing the pins through the shell.

Step 14: Place the remaining four 30-inch cords on your board, resting vertically.  Locate the center of them.  Tie a SK in the center.  The outer two strands are the working cords and the inner two are the fillers.

Tie 2 more SK, moving from the center towards the ends.

Turn the board around (or the sennit), and tie 3 Mirror SK, which helps to keep the pattern consistent.

Step 15:  Fold the sennit in half, forming the head of Tiny Turtle.  Trim the ends so they are even.  Direct them into the circle made in step 13.  It helps to use tweezers or needle nose pliers.

If you prefer a rounder head, consider making a Monkey Fist knot with the cords instead of the SK sennit.

Creating the Legs

The cords for the head (8) as well as the ones that formed the circle (4) are for the front legs (6 strands for each group). See the image at the top of the page, which shows the legs more clearly.

Step 17:  Trim the cords in one group to 3 inches.  Use one of the scraps to make a Wrapped Knot around the strands.  The loop needs to be close to the ends, so the wrapping process begins next to the shell.  Wrap for ½-inch.  Gradually tighten the knot so it’s very snug.

Repeat the process with the other 3 groups.

Step 18:  When all the legs are finished, trim the ends to ½-inch.  If you wish, you can apply glue to the Wrapped Knots to make sure they hold up over time.

To give Tiny Turtle some eyes, you can use very small plastic animal eyes and attach them to his head with glue.