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Get Crafty #1: How to make a cinnamon macrame Christmas decoration
Posted by Claire Boote, on November 24, 2020.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s)
Welcome to our new craft series. This is where we’ll be posting new craft projects – crochet, knitting, pottery and more – that are suitable for beginners or anyone looking to keep themselves busy over lockdown and beyond.
You may be asking, ‘why is a lingerie company sharing crafting ideas?’ Well, we love getting crafty at Royce and believe that losing yourself in a crafting project for a few hours a week can be just the tonic for surviving the long, hard winter. It can be mindful and meditative, keeps us focused when learning a new skill, and we end up with something beautiful at the end of it (we hope…)! We love it so much that it’s one of our ‘self-care recommendations’ [link to blog post], as it’s a simple way to alleviate stress and elevate mood.
It also helps that some of our staff are naturally gifted when it comes to creating amazing things with a needle and thread (respect to our design team!). This series will feature some ideas from them, but also from other crafters we admire.
Our first project is from Jeanine of Fancy That Creates. The popularity of the knot-tying technique of macrame just keeps on growing with Ideal Home magazine predicting it will move from boho accessory to your Christmas tree this year. Get ahead of the curve by creating your own cinnamon macrame Christmas decoration – here’s how…
What you’ll need:
- 1 x cinnamon stick
- 8 x 90cm macrame cord
- Scissors
- Thread (for hanging)
Step 1
Fold each cord in half and make a larks head knot around the cinnamon stick. (If you’re unsure what a larks head knot is, have a quick look here.)
Step 2
Take two larks head knots and tie into a square knot – tighten at each step. Continue until you have four square knots in total.
This is your first row.
Step 3
For your second row, place the two outer cords (both left and right sides) away from the rest and start tying an alternating square knot pattern. This will result in three square knots on your second row.
Step 5
Repeat the alternating square knot pattern for six rows.
Step 6
For your seventh row, move four outer cords (both left and right sides) out of the way. Tie the remaining cords to make two square knots.
Step 7
For your eighth row, move six outer cords (both left and right sides) out of the way. Tie the remaining cords to make one square knot. A V-shaped pattern should be formed.
Step 8
Use the end strand on one side as the holding cord and form a double half hitch knot (extra help on those knots below). Repeat this knot for the next seven strands of cord.
Start on the other side with the end strand being the holding cord. Repeat double half hitch knots for the seven loose strands.
Step 9
Repeat another row of double half hitch knots below the first row, using the end strand as the holding cord. Repeat on the other side.
Step 10
Cut the end strands to your desired length and brush out to create a fringe. Fix a piece of thread in the middle of the cinnamon stick so you can hang it on your Christmas tree (or anywhere).
Stand back and admire!
