Things You'll Need
Nylon or cotton macrame cord
Project board
Pins
Tape measure
Macrame is a craft that involves tying knots into decorative patterns. A variety of materials can be used depending on the desired finished look, including string, silk, yarn or hemp. Any of these will work well for bottle covers that add texture and color to transform an old bottle into a decorative vase, or create a reusable holder with a strap to transport a water bottle with style.
Step 1
Measure the neck of the bottle with a measuring tape. Take that measurement and multiply by eight. This tells you how many cords to cut. The length of each cord will be the height of the bottle multiplied by eight. Cut two holding cords the same length as the height of the bottle multiplied by eight. Cut one holding cord to 25 inches. Dab glue or wax on the ends of the cords to prevent fraying.
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Step 2
Hold the two long holding cords to the project board with pins to keep them taut and horizontal. Take half of the working cords and attach them to the holding cords with lark's head knots -- fold the cord in half with the fold over the holding cord and pull the other ends between the loop and holding cord, cinching the loop against the holding cord. Make this into a circle around the neck of the bottle. Take the holding cords and tie a square knot without fillers.
Step 3
Begin tying alternating square knots around the bottle. Use four cords for the alternating square knots and do one row, leaving about an inch between each. Take two cords from each to give another grouping of four cords and tie another row of alternating square knots. Continue the length of the bottle.
Step 4
Drop four of the cords when you reach the bottom of the bottle and tie a row of alternating square knots. Make these as tight as possible so they start to curl over the edge of the bottom of the bottle. Continue to alternate the cords with the alternating square knot rows two more times. Attach each cord to the 25-inch holding cord using the double half-hitch knot and knot the dropped cords. Tie a square knot with the ends of the holding cord without fillers. Glue the square knot. After it is dry, trim the ends and weave them into the design or glue them in place.
Tip
Glue, wax or even clear nail polish work to prevent the ends of your cords from fraying.
Knot four strands into a strap using repeating square knots and tie it to the holding cord at the top of the bottle to create a carrying strap.
Use stretchy, cotton yarn for the piece if you want to remove it for cleaning.
Warning
Don’t try burning the ends of the cords. They are flammable and could go up in flames.
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