Macrame is a knotting technique that you use to create a variety of items such as panels, planters, and much more. You use simple knots in this curtain so you can learn how to macrame curtains without binding yourself up in knots.
The ropes hang down to shape the rest of the curtain, which has a small section of knots at the top. That makes it ideal for hanging on closet doors or other places where you want to keep stuff accessible while still partially blocking the view. You might also make a room divider out of a wide curtain.
Materials and Equipment needed are:
- scissors
- 50 to 150 yard 6mm cotton macrame rope
- 1 smooth branch or 1-inch wooden dowel
Once done in gathering the materials needed, here are the steps in making a macrame curtain.
Step #1: Cutting the Rope
Since curtain sizes vary depending on how you want to use them, you will need to do some calculations. The width of the gap you are covering, as well as the length of the curtain, are crucial.
You then divide this design into twelve sheets, each measuring twelve inches wide. Use as many as you like, fine-tuning the size as desired by changing the spacing.
The dimensions are for a window curtain that is 30 inches tall. If you want to change the length, make sure to read the additional notes.
For a 12-inch wide panel, use the following formula:
- 108 inches in two cuts
- 92 inches in four cuts
- 84 inches in six cuts
Make as many panels as you need with these cuts.
Trim the excess rope when you’re done if you want a shorter curtain. You can also calculate the difference and deduct it. Then multiply that by two and deduct the result from each rope’s total duration.
To make a longer curtain, deduct 30 inches from the total length needed. Multiply the result by two and add it to each of the cutting lengths mentioned above.
Step #2: Attaching the Ropes to the Rod
To connect the rope to the hanging rod, fold each piece in half and tie a lark’s head knot. Bring the center of the loop over the rod, then draw it close with the ends.
Start with the two longest ropes and center them on the rod if you’re creating a curtain with an odd number of panels. On either hand, add two medium-length ropes, followed by three short ropes.
Start with a short rope in the center of the rod and work to the right or left, as follows: three short, two medium, two long, two medium, three short.
Using a lark’s head knot, secure the rope to the branch. You should space out the ropes so that they are about twelve inches long.
Step #3: Tying Square Knots
Since this curtain is entirely made of left-facing square knots, it’s simple to remember the pattern once you’ve mastered the technique.
Separate the first four bits of rope first. Bring the left rope under the right rope, then over the middle two filler ropes.
Next, put the right rope under the center two ropes and through the loop created by the first rope. The right rope is going over the left loop when you do this.
Under two and over/through the left rope, bring the right rope. Tighten the ropes until they’re about an inch below the lark’s head knots. The first half of the square knot is now complete.
Put the left rope under the two middle ropes and over the right rope to complete the knot.
Finally, carry the right rope over the middle ropes and through the loop of the left rope, ending up under the left rope this time.
The knot is leftover two and under one, right under two and over one, left under two and over one, and right over two and under one, in that order.
Repeat this process until you get your desired number of rows of knots.
Step #4: Tie the Last Row of Knots
Working diagonally from left to center and then right to center, add one final row of knots. Again, work with four ropes at a time and tie the left-facing square knots with a three- to the four-inch distance between them and the knots above.
Repeat the measures above to add the remaining panels to the curtain.
Step #5: Trim the Rope Ends
Trim the rope ends to make them even when the curtain is hanging at the proper height. You may either untwist the ends slightly or keep them as is.
Now your curtain is ready for hanging! Use extra rope or brackets to hang your curtain. It can be difficult to maintain anything even while operating on a branch, but that’s part of the rustic appeal. You may also adjust the spacing of the knots and panels.
Conclusion
That sums up all the steps on how to make a macrame curtain. You can do these easy steps in the comfort of your own homes and with just a few materials and equipment.