Materials
- 3 - 1 ¼-inch hardwood dowels, 30-inches long
- 2 - 5/8-inch hardwood dowels, 36-inches long
- 200 yards, ¼-inch macrame cord or rope
- 8 yards, ½-inch rope
- 4 1-inch wood screws
- Drill and 5/8-inch bit
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
Instructions:
1. Measure the dowels. While measuring and drilling the dowels, ensure all the holes are level and lined up with each other so that the frame is perfectly square. On two of the ¼-inch dowels, measure and mark at 2 inches and 3 ½ inches from each end. The third 1¼-inch dowel will only need to be marked at 3 ½ inches from each end.
2. Drill a hole at each mark on each 1¼-inch dowel. Start with a small drill bit and work your way up to 5/8 inch. A spade bit or dowel jig makes this much easier.
3. Sand the holes to remove any splinters from drilling.
4. Slide the dowels together to make a square frame for the seat by sliding each of the small dowels into the 5/8-inch holes on the large dowels. Leave about 1-inch overlap on each end.
5. Secure the frame with screws. Drill a small pilot hole where the dowels meet. Using a 1-inch screw, secure the two pieces together.
6. Before starting the macramé, temporarily hang the frame in a place where you can easily stand or sit to knot the ropes.
7. Wrap the cords around the dowel. Using the ¼-inch cord, cut 16 26-foot pieces. It sounds like a lot but as you knot, the cord shortens quickly. Pick up one cord and fold it in half.
Wrap the loop around the dowel from the front to back. Pull the tails through the loop. Continue with all 16 strands of cord. Once they're all hanging, you'll have 32 strands.
8. Cross the cords from left to right. To create the seat, you'll be using a simple square knot. Starting with the first four cords, take the left cord and cross it over the center two, then under the right cord.
9. Cross the cords from right to left. Take the right cord and cross it under the center two cords and up through the hole, passing over the left cord.
10. To complete the second half of the knot, you'll do the same thing in reverse. Take the right cord and cross it over the center two, then under the left cord.
Then take the left cord and cross it under the center two cords and up through the hole, passing over the right cord. Pull the knot tight. Continue this with all the cords.
11. The next row also uses the same square knot but starts with the third cord. You'll be using two strands from each section. When knotting them together, make sure to keep everything even. Continue this until to reach the end of your cords.
12. Repeat the Pattern. Should measure 45 inches long.
13. To attach the ends to the bottom of the frame, wrap all four cords from each section around the dowel and tie a knot.
