DIY macramé place mat
<p>Following these instructions will give you a place mat that measures 45 x 33cm.</p>
<p><strong>Knots used (refer to gallery above):</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Horizontal clove hitch (HCH)</li>
<li>Left-facing square knot (LFSK)</li>
<li>Alternating square knot (ASK)</li>
<li>Reverse lark’s head knot (RLHK)</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Materials:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>60m of twined 2.5mm cotton rope</li>
<li>55–60cm, dowel, at least 2cm in diameter (only used during the knotting)</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Preparation:</strong></p>
<p>Cut the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>20 cords, each 2m (21/4 yd) long</li>
<li>4 cords, each 80cm (311/2 in) long</li>
<li>52 cords, each 30cm (12 in) long</li>
<li>2 cords, each 50cm (193/4 in) long</li>
<li>Fold each of the 2m (21/4 yd) cords in half and attach to the dowel, using a reverse lark’s head knot (RLHK).</li>
</ul>
<p>Note: the dowel is only used during the knotting; it is removed at the end.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="670" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40711/place-mat-diagram_499x670.jpg" alt="Place Mat Diagram"/></p>
<p><strong>Instructions:</strong></p>
<p>1. Take 1 of the 80cm cords and lay it across so it’s centered underneath the dowel. Using this cord as a filler cord, work a row of horizontal clove hitches (HCH) using each of the vertical cords, a total of 40 knots.</p>
<p>2. Skip 2 cords, tie a left-facing square knot (LFSK), skip 4 cords, tie another left-facing square knot, repeating to the end so you have 5 square knots. Tie 10 alternating square knots (ASK) for the second row. For the third row, skip 2 cords at the start and tie another 5 alternating square knots as in the first row.</p>
<p>3. Take a second 80cm (311/2 in) cord and centre it beneath the knots just made. Using this cord as a filler cord, work a horizontal clove hitch with each of the vertical cords, a total of 40 knots.</p>
<p>4. Tie a left-facing square knot using the 4 centre cords. Then work 2 alternating square knots underneath, then a line of 3 alternating square knots. Continue to create a pair of alternating square knots on each side to make the diamond in the centre of the mat as in the diagram, placing each pair of square knots just underneath the previous pair. Finish with a single left-facing square knot using the 4 centre cords. You’ll have a total of 64 square knots.</p>
<p>5. Repeat steps 1–3 to create the border at the bottom of the mat. Turn the place mat 90 degrees.</p>
<p>6. Attach 26 of the 30cm (12 in) long cords to what is now the bottom cord using reverse lark’s head knots (RLHK). Position the first 3 lark’s head knots between the 2 filler cord ends, then work 10 before the square knot of the centre diamond. Repeat in reverse with the rest of the cords on the other half of the mat.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40712/step-7_500x333.jpg" alt="Step 7 (3)"/></p>
<p>7. Take 1 of the 50cm cords and lay it across so it’s centred right underneath the lark’s head knots. Using this cord as a filler cord, make a horizontal clove hitch with each cord from left to right, a total of 56 knots.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="365" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40713/step-8-placemat_498x365.jpg" alt="Step 8 Placemat"/></p>
<p>8. Turn the place mat 180 degrees and repeat steps 6 and 7 for the other side.</p>
<p>9. Remove the dowel and untangle the ends. Cut the loops to make a fringe, and then</p>
<p>trim the ends on both short sides to the same length. Trim the remaining long side to the same length as the other side.</p>
<p>*This project is symmetrical and the illustration only shows half of the design.</p>
<p><em>This is an edited extract from Macramé by Fanny Zedenius published by Quadrille RRP $27.99 (NZ price) and is available in stores nationally. Photographer: © Kim Lightbody</em></p>
