Macramé leaf charm (feather)

This simple macramé craft can be done with minimal effort, skill, tools and materials, making it an ideal activity for children (aged 7+) on play dates or at parties.

The only macrame knot involved is the cow hitch knot and this is the perfect project to practice that knot because the strings you are working with are very short. Children will get the hang of this very quickly if you give them the tips outlined below.

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Supplies for one macramé leaf/feather

• 5m of macramé rope

• A piece of cardboard with a width of 7-8cm

• A piece of A4 paper

• Scissors

• A fine toothed comb

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1

To make the short strips of rope, wrap the rope around the width of your piece of cardboard a few times. Insert the scissors between the rope and one edge of the cardboard and cut. You can repeat this process as and when you run out of strips.

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2

To make the core of your leaf/feather, cut a 50cm piece of rope and fold in half. Tie a knot about 10cm down from the fold (this will be the loop of your charm).

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3

Take one of the short strips of rope, fold it in half and place it perpendicularly across the long rope, just under the knot. Bring the two cut ends of the strip under the long, vertical rope and feed them up through the loop. This is called a cow hitch knot (see note below).

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4

Place the next strip over the vertical rope in the same position as the strip you have just knotted and feed the two cut ends under and through the loop as with the previous one. The cut ends of each next strip should always face in the same direction as the cut ends of the last one your knotted.

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5

Continue like this until your leaf or feather is long enough. Keep pushing the knots tightly together and then tie a knot at the bottom of the vertical rope so that the strips cannot slide off.

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6

Fold the piece of paper in half and cut out the shape you would like your leaf or feather to have - you can make this wide and heart shaped (like a leaf) or slim (to look more like a feather). Place the paper template on your knotted work and cut around it.

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7

Finally, and kids love this part, comb the rope strips - this will turn them into fuzzy fronds coming away from the vertical rope.

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I hope you enjoy this craft! Let me know if you have any questions or feedback and don't forget to tag me on Instagram if you decide to post a picture of your macramé leaf or feather.

Cow hitch or lark's head?

The cow hitch knot is essentially the same as a lark's head knot, but seen from the other side.

When creating a lark's head, the folded loop is placed under the dowel, ring or rope onto which it is tied, whereas with a cow hitch, the loop is placed over the dowel, ring or rope.