As a kid, I don’t recall going to summer camp, so I created my own! This week I hosted my first Summer Craft Camp via my craft biz. We focused on macramé and created three projects: feathers, trivets, and plant hangers. I also made limited edition Summer Craft Camp pennants (as seen in the cover photo). So excite!

First up was macramé feathers! I saw these trending on the interwebs a while back and was determined to figure out the perfect recipe to create the fluffy feathered look. This has been on my teaching wishlist for a while now, and I’m happy I finally got to share! Why it brings so much delight, I’m not quite sure, but they make for lovely wall hangings. You can find my complete macramé feathers tutorial here.

Then, macramé trivets! I wanted to create a project that was beautiful but also functional and came up with this trivet design, made completely of square knots. I love them so much they might end up in all my Christmas gift bags this year. I’m sharing the full how-to below. Keep on scrollin’.

And lastly: macramé plant hangers! This was definitely the most popular workshop of the three, especially since plants are always in style. This project built upon skills learned in the first two workshops with the added knotting in 3D to create the planter holder section. I’m on the schedule to teach this class again at two craft studios (in September and October) and I cannot wait!

And now a lesson in macramé trivets!

For this project you will need:

• 40 feet 5mm rope
• 1 foot non-stretchy cord
• Scissors
• Ruler or tape measure
• Tape to hold your project down

Cut eight strands of rope 5 feet each.

Set up your anchor string. Pull your non-stretchy cord taut and tape down with appropriate tape. You will occasionally need to adjust the cord so it remains straight (so your knots will align).

Lark’s head knots. Create eight Lark’s head knots using the eight pieces of rope. Fold one strand in half. Place the midpoint under the anchor string in a U fashion. Bring the top loose strands over the anchor string and through the U until you form a secure knot.

I also call this the luggage tag knot. Continue all the way across. Adjust anchor string as needed to keep the project aligned.

Square knots. For the remainder of the project we will work in groups of four rope strings to create square knots. The first row will have four square knots in total.

Using the first four rope strings, place rope string 1 over strings 2 and 3. Place rope string 4 over rope string 1, under rope strings 3 and 2, and through the loop made by rope string 1. Pull up to create the first half of the square knot. Leave about 3 inches of space between the bottom of the Lark’s head knot and the top of your square knot.

To complete the square knot, perform a similar but opposite pattern. Place the now rope string 4 over strings 3 and 2. Place rope string 1 over rope string 4, under rope strings 2 and 3, and through the loop made by rope string 4. Pull up to create the second half of the square knot. Repeat using adjacent groups of four rope strings until you have four square knots all the way across.

For the second row, repeat the steps above to create three square knots. This time you will skip the first two rope strings. In other words, begin with rope strings 3, 4, 5 and 6 for this row.

Continue the pattern:

• Row 3: Four square knots
• Row 4: Three square knots
• Row 5: Four square knots
• Row 6: Three square knots
• Row 7: Four square knots

Cut the trivet loose. You can also slip the anchor cord off instead of cutting the loops.

Cut the loose ends so that they are even on both sides. You can decide how long or short you’d like the loose ends to be. You can also unravel the rope so it’s a bit more fluffy on the ends, too. I like doing this because it helps secure the end square knots.

Trim the loose ends as needed and get ready for all your fancy meals!

It’s so fun to create different macramé designs; you can do so much with just a few knots. Are you a macra-maker? Share some of your favorite projects.