Handcrafted by Elaine

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original designs by Elaine Lieberman

Double Half Hitch



This page contains macramé instructions for the double half hitch. Some of the many variations on this knot will be added to this site in the future.

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The double half hitch can be made vertically, horizontally, or even curved. The cords should be mounted on a dowel or holding cord, or you may tie an overhand knot in each cord and pin it to your knotting board.

The diagrams shown are mounted to a dowel using a lark's head.

The half hitch, as used in macramé, can be thought of as a variation on the knot you use when you start to tie your shoe. The main difference is that when you tie your shoes, the two laces, or cords, are treated equally. When making a half hitch, or double half hitch in macramé, one of the cords is your knot bearer and you will hold that cord tightly and knot the other cord around it.

Let's start with horizontal double half hitches.

In this diagram, the cord on the left (brown cord) is the knot bearer. You can make a row of double half hitches onto this cord.


1. Start by placing a pin (not shown) between the knot bearer and the next cord. Bring the knot bearer on top of the other cords and just below the dowel. Hold the knot bearer in your right hand in a horizontal position.



2. Next, holding the second cord in your left hand, bring it under the knot bearer, then bring it around the knot bearer, first on top (as you go upwards) and then under the knot bearer (as you bring it down) and through the loop you have formed. Tighten it by holding your knot bearer tightly in a horizontal position and pulling the knotting cord gently into place.





3. Repeat step two using the same knotting cord.



4. Repeat this using each of the remaining cords on the same knot bearer. Remember to knot each cord twice.


Note: Before you tighten each knot, make sure that the knot bearer is being held in a horizontal position and that your knots are being formed where you would like them to be, close to the row above.

When you have reached the end of the row, put a pin between your right hand knotting cord and your knot bearer. The cord you have been using as your knot bearer will also be used as the knot bearer as you return, knotting now from right to left.



5. Hold the knot bearer in your left hand and the knotting cord in your right hand. Bring your knotting cord under the knot bearer and through the loop as you did earlier. Push it close to the row of knots above it and tighten. Repeat.






6. Repeat this with each of your knotting cords.



To make diagonal double half hitches, hold your knot bearer at an angle.


Copyright © 1998 by Elaine Lieberman



WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THESE INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS-INTRODUCTION
MACRAME CORD LENGTH TIPS
HALF KNOT & SQUARE KNOT
DOUBLE HALF HITCH
OVERHAND KNOT
LARK'S HEAD (TO MOUNT CORDS)
MOUNTING CORDS USING A DOUBLE HALF HITCH
VARIATIONS 1 - HALF AND SQUARE KNOT
VARIATIONS 2 - ALTERNATING SQUARE KNOTS
VARIATIONS 3 - SQUARE KNOT USING PICOTS
VARIATIONS 4 - SQUARE KNOTS VARYING YOUR CORE AND KNOTTING CORDS
VARIATIONS 5 - DOUBLE HALF HITCH DIAMOND
VARIATIONS 6 - DIAMOND FILLERS 1
VARIATIONS 7 - DIAMOND FILLERS 2
VARIATIONS 8 - USING COLOR WITH SQUARE KNOTS
VARIATIONS 9 - SQUARE KNOTS WITH BEADS
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FAQ
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FAQ


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I cannot provide detailed instructions by e-mail but I welcome your comments.
instructions@elainecraft.com.


This page updated December 18, 2004

Work: Copyright © 1993-2004 by Elaine Lieberman
Web Pages: Copyright © 1997-2004 by Elaine Lieberman