New Micro Macrame Mandala Necklace Tutorial!

Look who finally got busy and finished a tutorial!  I'd recommend this Micro macrame Mandala Necklace tutorial for intermediate macrame enthusiasts with a working knowledge of double half hitch and larks head knots.  As long as you can do those, you should be able to follow these instructions.  I've included over 60 photos like this one:

See why it takes me a while to put together a new tutorial?  I spend a lot of time photographing each step with really close up shots so you can see what's going on.  My goal is to make everyone who tries the tutorial successful!

You can find the new tutorial in my Etsy shop along with 17 (yes, I'm up to 17 different tutorials now!) others.  There's something for everyone - even if you've never tried macrame before.  Happy knotting!

Argus Cuff Micro Macrame Tutorial

Are you looking for a micro macrame project that is just a little more challenging?  If so, I've got just the thing for you:  my Argus Cuff.

This design was previously available only as an online class, but I've converted it to a downloadable .pdf file.  The instructions are step by step and I've included lots of closeup photos (over 50) like this one:

You'll want a good relationship with the double half hitch and some patience for this one because there are lots of cords and hundreds of knots, but it's worth it.

This tutorial is one of seventeen listed in my shop and there's something for knotters of every ability from beginner to more advanced.  You can find them all here.

Happy knotting!

What I Did On My Summer-Not Summer Vacation

Okay, okay, I'll admit I haven't been the greatest about blogging lately.  Those of you who remember writing letters will remember the dilemma - I feel like I should write but I don't have anything really exciting to write about.  It's not that I'm not doing anything - I am!  I swear!  Proof:

Aren't those elephant buttons cool?  I'm on an elephant kick lately - even got one for my bedroom:

But I digress.  Besides the elephant bracelets (which are listed in my shop btw, if you're looking for a special gift for someone) and a stray dragon bracelet (also listed),  I've done several other "projects" like painting my not-niece's (not technically my niece, but she seems like one!) new (old) house.  Actually, my poor husband ended up doing most of the work since he runs the paint sprayer, but I was there every step of the way for emotional support and menial chores like keeping the paint bucket filled.  

 I also did random things like baking pine cones:

Which led to my oven conking out on me.  Well, it actually did the opposite of conking out (conking on?) because the bottom element came on full blast and would not shut off.  I had to kill the breaker to get it to stop.  It had nothing to do with the pine cones, really, other than they were what was in there (smoking!) at the time the thing went haywire.  For those of you just dying to know why I was baking pine cones, we wanted to put them on my daughter's Christmas tree and I'd read that you should soak them in a vinegar solution and then bake them on low for a bit to kill any critters that might have been living in them before you brought them indoors.  Anyway, I'm getting new appliances one at a time as the old ones die off, so I can't complain.

So, the tree!

Isn't it gorgeous!?!  We wanted a fuzzy, furry look and searched high and low for some sort of ribbon or garland and came up empty-handed.  After a lot of shopping, we found a table runner:

We pulled out the stitching and took the backing off, then measured off strips:

And cut it up to make the furry garland you see on the tree.  We're pretty proud of ourselves for that one.  It's exactly the soft look we were going for.  The pine cones got a coat of white paint and some "snow" on them to add to the white, lush look.  It's hard to see in the photo, but the "topper" is a mask that looks like it should be worn to the fanciest masquerade ball with glitter and crystal and feathers and draping ribbon.  Such a pretty tree.

So see, I have been busy!  And you know what else I did?  I got another class converted to a tutorial! 

The Drunkard's Path micro macrame bracelet tutorial has over 50 step by step photos and very clear instructions for all skill levels.  It helps if you have a knowledge of the basic macrame knots (like a double half hitch) but no worries if you don't.  There are videos here on my blog to show you how to do it!  

If this bracelet isn't the one that makes your heart beat a little quicker, you're still not out of luck.  There are fifteen other micro macrame tutorials to choose from!  Or heck, just go buy yourself something pretty that won't require any effort on your part.  You know you want to.  

Leafy Cuff in Micro Macrame Tutorial

My Leafy Cuff in micro macrame design is now available as a downloadable .pdf tutorial in my Etsy shop.  This one is a little bit more advanced than some of my other designs, but is still achievable for knotters who are comfortable with a basic double half hitch knot.  It's not that this one is difficult, it just has a lot more cords to keep track of.

I've worked this one up in several different colors now and I don't think I've found one I didn't like!

It's just really pretty!  Even the closure is elegant:

This tutorial is 20 pages and includes over 65 photographs and detailed step-by-step instructions and you can find it here.  Not sure if you're ready for this one yet?  There are 13 other micro macrame tutorials available to choose from starting at the absolute beginner level and you'll find them all here.  What are you waiting for?

Another Micro Macrame Tutorial Available!

Yay!  I have a new tutorial available in my Etsy shop:  Falling Leaves Micro Macrame Bracelet Tutorial.  This one looks like a chain of colorful leaves wrapping around your wrist and I've included instructions for the version in this photo as well as the solid color version and the two color (no stripes) one shown here:

This design had been previously available only as an online class but now you can get it in the instant download .pdf version.  I'm still working on converting the rest of my classes and trying to get them listed as I go, but let's face it:  I have the attention span of a toddler.  I get bored in a nanosecond.  I look for ways to get out of work (and I'm good at it!).  

I did have a good excuse this week, though.  Our house was in the path of totality for the eclipse!  How lucky is that!?  We could walk right out on our deck and watch the whole thing unfold with no crowds and no traffic.  Bliss. 

And there I go again... off track.  :)  

Anyway, the Falling Leaves tut is available now and I'm working on the Leafy Cuff tutorial which should be finished and listed in a day or two so stay tuned and Happy Knotting!

Ch-ch-ch-Changes

Change is inevitable, I guess, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.  CraftArtEdu is closing.  As of this posting, they've already stopped selling classes.  Not to worry, though, the folks there aren't leaving you hanging if you have already purchased classes.  Your classes will still be available to you (all the details are here).  I have really enjoyed working with Donna and Vernon and the gang and I'm going to miss them all.  

Several of my favorite designs have been available only as online classes through CraftArtEdu.  I will be working on converting them to tutorials and listing them in my Etsy shop, but it's going to be a process.  The CraftArtEdu platform allowed me to use voice-over narration as well as video in my classes which I really liked.  With Etsy I will have to rely on only the still photos and written instructions.  Good thing I take lots and lots of photos!

The first class I tackled as the Micro Macrame Wrap Bracelet.  I love this one!  I designed it as a fun way to learn five different macrame knots and the bonus is that you end up with a bracelet!  The instructions are written for someone who hasn't ever done macrame before with over 70 pictures and 19 pages in the tutorial.  I also have videos on the blog (here) in case you need a little more help on any of the knots.  The new downloadable tutorial is available in my Etsy shop (KnotJustMacrame.etsy.com) here:  Micro Macrame Wrap Bracelet.

To make it easier for beginners who don't want to have to shop around for the right materials or for people who just like to have coordinating beads and cord all picked out for them, I do offer materials kits to go along with the Micro Macrame Wrap Bracelet Tutorial.  There is a whole section of them here.  I have twenty different kits listed right now with a nice variety of colors.  There are even a couple of the peacock kits to make this bracelet:

I have a thing for handmade ceramic Kazuri beads, so you'll also find a lot of the kits that feature them:

And the only thing better than that (in my humble opinion) is a kit with Kazuri beads AND elephants:

Did you see that elephant clasp?  How cute is that!?  And just to prove to you that I can work with some warmer colors:

Working with CraftArtEdu was a very positive experience for me and I learned a lot working with the professionals there.  I will miss it greatly but if there's one thing I've figured out it's that you never know what life has in store for you around the next corner.  Whatever it is, I'll see you there!

A New Micro Macrame Tutorial: Marrakesh

This is a pretty bracelet, if I do say so myself!  I know, I know, the colors are so NOT me, but I'm feeling it.  I love everything about this piece from the multiple strands to the shiny crystal beads I used (another oddity for me!).  It's fun to wear and it's fun to make, so I thought I'd offer a tutorial for it in case any of you want to make one for yourself.

If you haven't tried one of my tutorials before (or one of my online classes), I hope you'll give it a try.  I spend a lot of time photographing every step and then I spend even more time editing all those photos to try to give you the best tutorial I can.  I add lots of detail and break everything down so that you can see what I'm doing and follow along.  

And just in case the photos and written instructions aren't enough, I have videos here on my blog that show you how to make each of the knots.  That being said, I realized I didn't have a video here for a vertical double half hitch, so I made one:

You can find the tutorial for the Marrakesh bracelet available in my Knot Just Macrame Etsy shop along with several other tutorials for different micro macrame projects.  This new tutorial is suitable for all levels, even beginners.  As a little extra incentive, I'm offering a special introductory price for the next week AND having a sale on all my other tutorials!

Happy knotting!

A Brand New Micro Macrame Tutorial AND a Sale!

I am so excited to be rolling out a new micro macrame tutorial for you!  It's a new design that came to me one night as I was laying there un-sleeping (one my least favorite hobbies).  It's a grouping of four elliptical shapes (or horse eye or marquis shapes if you prefer) set inside diamonds outlined by parallel lines.  If you look carefully, two of the shapes meet to form an infinity link.  

When I was searching for a name for this one, someone (thanks, Linda!!) suggested the design resembled the intricate patterns found in Gothic windows.  Then someone else (thanks, Alison!) pointed out that Gothic tracery is the term for the stonework within the window arch.  I think "Gothic Tracery" is a perfectly lovely name for this pattern and so it shall be.  

Allow me to introduce my newest micro macrame tutorial:  Gothic Tracery!

This pattern uses mostly double half hitch knots with just a handful of larks heads.  The knots themselves aren't hard, but you have to keep track of which cords you're supposed to be working with as they're heading off in all directions, so I've rated this one as best for intermediate knotters.  I wouldn't recommend this for your first micro macrame project but once you've mastered the double half hitch, I'd say "go for it!".  

To make the news (of a new tutorial, silly!) a little sweeter, this tut and all the others in my Etsy shop are 30% off (no code needed) through 1/1/17.

Oh, and if you don't think you're ready for an intermediate project yet, there are plenty of others from which to choose!  You'll find them all here.  Happy knotting!

New Ripples in Micro Macrame Online Class is Available!

It's done!  It's done!!  Hot off the press and all that, my new Ripples in Micro Macrame bracelet class in available online at CraftArtEdu!  I'm silly excited about it, too (in case you didn't notice).  I've been meaning to put out a new class for months and one thing or another kept taking priority, but it's done!!  (Yep, still silly excited!)  So Donna and the other nice folks over at CraftArtEdu put out an email with the class announcement (and a great sale on all my micro macrame classes, too) and I have to share it with you:

How nice is that!?  You can see the whole thing here if you aren't already signed up for their newsletter.  If you're not, you really should take a moment and sign up so you can stay on top of all the latest and greatest (and sales - who doesn't love a sale!).  I keep telling you they're really great people over there and I'm not kidding.  They really are the best.  If you haven't taken one of their online classes, you don't know what you're missing.  They have an awesome lineup of instructors covering a wide variety of DIY crafts.  Their customer service is world class and they guarantee you'll be happy with your class or you get your money back.  Classes never expire and there's no limit on the number of times you can view them.  

Anywho... if you read my blog much, you probably already know I've been working on this new design for weeks now.  My inspiration for the design was ripples. Yep.  Ripples.  So picture a rain drop hitting the surface of a puddle; the way the ripples spread out from the drop in concentric circles getting larger and larger until they bump up against something and break the perfect arcs.  Are you picturing it?  That's what I've tried to capture in the piece.  The fluid circles originate at the central bead in one section, then circle back in the next section coming up against one another in the middle.

This design takes the simple macrame knots (mostly double half hitches) and elevates them to a new artistic level. Because the design is a bit more challenging, experience with double half hitch knots is recommended.  If you're just starting out in micro macrame, there are other classes (like the Wrap) to choose from, too.  Heck, if you're fair-to-middlin', there are a whole bunch of classes for you.  

Go!  Go now and find the one (or more) that makes your heart happy.  (The special pricing is good through midnight CT, Tuesday, October 25, 2016.)  Happy knotting!

A New Micro Macrame Tutorial: Chains!

I have a new micro macrame tutorial available!  It's called "Chains" (for fairly obvious reasons) and is available in my Etsy shop here.  

I spent a lot of time figuring out all the things that could go wrong and the best way to avoid those pitfalls.  Proof:

The final product is a 19 page .pdf with over 70 photos included.  There are step by step instructions with lots of clear pictures.  I'd rate this as maybe an intermediate project, but the instructions are clear enough that an ambitious beginner could probably handle it.

The tiny links are roughly 1 cm long if you make the chain with the .5mm cord called for in the instructions.  I'm planning to experiment with larger and smaller cord just to see if it works (I can't see why it wouldn't).  You can use the chains as bracelets or in necklaces - most anywhere you would use a metal chain.

And just for fun, I added the secret to making two color chains for those of you who want to try it:

If you haven't tried micro macrame yet, you're missing out on a great hobby!  I have lots of online classes available at CraftArtEdu.com (here) as well as the tutorials in my Etsy shop.  There are over 20 projects from which to choose with skill levels ranging from beginner to more advanced. What are you waiting for?

Macrame Diamonds

With our holiday celebrations in the rear view mirror now, I've had a bit of time to sit down and play with my beads.  I don't feel like I've finished experimenting with my newest design - I call it Woven Diamonds (you can find the online class here, if you are interested).

I had some little scarab beads and it turns out they nestle just as snug as a bug in a rug... (okay, I'm a little sorry for that one).  The scarab does fit rather well in the center of this bracelet, though.  I kept the background neutral and then used a great mix of beads with some greener turquoise, off white and bronze.  

While I was digging through my stash for oval shaped beads, I ran across a sodalite one I couldn't pass up.  I paired it with navy blue cord and made a seed bead mix to match.  

I'm pretty happy with the way both of these turned out.  They're listed in my Etsy shop, if you just can't resist.  I also have a couple kits listed if you don't want to have to find the materials yourself.  One is in the sodalite and blues and the other is turquoise like this:

Happy knotting!!