Simple hanging vase // Josephine knot & gathering knot

Hello there! Minieco feels a bit neglected at the moment :/ However behind the scenes I have been crafting my little heart out.

I’ve been bead-weaving, sewing, dyeing, printing, woodworking, macramé-ing and paper-crafting my way through 30 new projects for my new book (I’m 2/3 of the way through the project list so hope to be posting a lot more in April).

My macramé obsession has reached fever pitch lately. I made a quick hanging vase this morning and thought it would be nice to share it with you.

To make this hanging vase you only need to learn a ‘Josephine knot’ (aka Carrick bend) and a ‘gathering knot’ so it’s a lovely easy project if you are just starting out down the macramé/knot-tying route.

YOU WILL NEED:
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+ 4 lengths of cord measuring at least 1.5 meters (I used super long shoelaces – but you can use paracord instead)
+ About 50cm of cord (I used a contrasting colour)
+ Glass vase….a jam jar works just as well.
+ Elastic band (optional)
+ Some flowers!

 

HOW TO
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First of all you need to master the Josephine knot. Check out the animated gif below. Once you have done this follow the rest of the instructions below:

1. Find somewhere to work…a wall hook works well, or you can use a door handle! Hang your ring on the hook and thread your cords through the ring at their halfway point. You should have 8 working cords.

2. Now you need to do a gathering knot. Chop your extra piece of cord into two pieces. Take one piece and form a loop as shown

3. Take the right-hand section of cord and wind it tightly round the 8 cords. You should do this about 6 times.

4. Now take your bottom-tail and thread it through the loop at the bottom.

5. Pull on the upper tail.

6. Keep pulling until the loop is tucked inside the cord wrap. You can trim the ends. Depending on your cord you may need to seal the ends with a lighter to stop them from fraying. (Take care with this step and practise on a spare piece of cord first).

7. Leave a gap then tie a Josephine knot using the front four pieces of cord.

8. Turn your curtain ring around and repeat step with the back four pieces of cord.

9. Leave a gap again and tie two more Josephine knots as shown.

10. Pop your vase/jar inside and see how it fits. You may need to alter the position of the Josephine knot depending on the shape of the vessel you use. Put an elastic band around the eight cords so that your vase/jar is well supported. Take the other piece of cord and tie another gathering knot at the bottom.

Good luck! Let me know how you get on.

BTW: I have been dreadful at replying to emails and comments over the last few weeks…I will make a concerted effort to catch up over the next few days ^_^