Twisted Macrame Earrings

The half knot is one of the first knots a macramer learns. Not only is it one of the easiest to learn, it also has a nice look to it because it actually twists as you go. You can learn this knot quickly and also create a nice pair of earrings when you make these Twisted Macrame Earrings.

Note on Cord Length: I’ve read through a number of macrame books and sites and there seems to be difference of opinion when it comes to deciding how much cord you need for a project. I’ve read that you need 5 time, 8 times, and 10 times as much cord as the finished piece will be. I think thickness of the cord has a lot to do with these variations of opinion.

To make these earrings, you’ll need:

2 strands of cord approximately 16 inches long
scissors
2 ear hooks
2 beads with large holes (1 - 2mm holes)
round nosed pliers
*clear nail polish

*If you are using hemp like I did for these earrings, I recommend coating the ends of the hemp with clear nail polish. This will keep them from fraying as you work and help you get the hemp through your bead. This isn't a critical step, but you might find it helpful.

1. First cut two pieces of cord approximately 16 inches in length. If you’re learning the half knot for the first time, I recommend using 2 different colors of cord.

2. Hold the two pieces of cord together, fold them in half, and tie and over hand knot. I noticed if I held the center of the cords with my round nosed pliers, I was able to make a more even knot and also a smaller loop which would be used for an earring hook.

3. Next, either pin the knot onto your work area or use a clip board to work on.

4. Next, spread out your pieces of cord. The two center cords will eventually be covered up by the two out side cords, so keep this in mind when you decide which will be the center cords.

5. Bring the right cord over the two center cords and under the left hand cord.

6. Then bring the left hand cord under the two center cords and up through the loop created by the right hand cord in step 5.

7. Pull the knot snug up against the over hand knot.

8. Continue to make half knots as described in steps 5 - 7 until you have the length you want. This will vary depending on the thickness of your cords. With the hemp I used, about 10 half knots equaled approximately ¾ of an inch. You will need to do a number of these knots before you notice it twisting.

9. Once you get the length you like, you then slip on your choice of bead onto the two center cords and push the bead up against the end of the half knots.

10. Bring the two out side cords down and around the bead and tie a few more half knots. I tied just two, but tie as many as you like. If want real long earrings, tie more knots.

11. To finish the earring, tie an over hand knot, and push the knot up against the last of the half knots.

12. Then you need to trim off excess cord. I didn’t want my earrings super long, so I trimmed off all but about ¾ of an inch. Decide how long you want your earrings to be and trim off excess cord accordingly.

13. Next, I frayed the ends of the hemp cord by pulling apart the strands of each of the four pieces of cord. This is a step you can do or skip, depending if you like how it looks or not.

14. Finally, just slip an earring hook onto the top of the loop.

15. Repeat the steps above for your other earring.

These same instructions can be used to make a necklace or bracelet. Just make the piece longer and add a clasp. I decided to make earrings because I figured it was a quick way to re-learn my half knots.

Here's a printer friendly copy of this file.

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All graphics created by Tammy Powley.

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