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Owl Pendant

Description: This Owl Pendant is a fun project suitable for beginners who have experience with the basic Macrame knots.

Make sure you review the instructions for ALL the decorative knots listed below, so you know what to expect.

To change the appearance of this cute Micro-Macrame owl decoration, simply use different colors and beads than what was used in the example.

Try using natural colors such as black, white and brown to make a more elegant pendant design.

Important: The key to making the stripes as shown in the example is to organize the cords in each step, so you don't mix them up.

It really helps to apply small pieces of tape on each cord, with their numbers written on the tape.

Supplies Needed:

1mm to 2mm cord material (in 3 different colors)

Project Board and Pins

2 Round Beads for eyes (with holes large enough for 2 cords)

1 Flat bead for the nose

1 Small stick (optional)

Knots Used:

Alternating V Patterns

Double Half Hitch

Square Knot

Larks Head Knot

Cutting and Mounting

Step 1: Cut 1 or more cords that will be used for the necklace that the Owl Pendant will be attached to.

You can usually multiply your neck size by 4 to get the proper length, unless you plan to use complex knots. In that case, increase the length of the cords.

Secure the necklace cords to your board horizontally, and mark the center in some manner.

Color A is purple, Color B is light blue, and Color C is dark blue, in the example shown.

Cut the following cords, at least 32 inches long:

Color A = 4

Color B = 2

Color C = 2

Fold each cord in half. Mount them to the holding cords in the following arrangement, with Larks Head knots:

2 color A, 1 color B, 2 color C, 1 color B, 2 color A

The Head

Step 2: Organize the cords for the Owl Pendant into groups of four, as in the image above. Mentally number them 1 - 16, moving left to right.

In each group, cords 1 and 4 are the working cords, and the two fillers are cords 2 and 3.

This applies to all the Square Knots in the following steps.

Use cords 1 - 4 to tie a Square Knot.

Important: Make sure the fillers are not crossed.

The color pattern is dependent on the placement of the cords. So keep the four cords organized at all times.

The remaining 3 Square knots for the first row are tied as follows:

Knot 2: Cords 5 - 8 (color B and C),

Knot 3: Cords 9 - 12 (color B and C)

Knot 4: Cords 13 - 16 (color A)

Make sure the fillers are NOT crossed when you tighten these Square knots, as well as the following ones. Tighten the knots firmly.

Step 3: The next 3 rows of ASK are tied using groups of 4 cords, as follows:

Row 2: Use cords 3 - 6, 7 - 10, and 11 - 14

Row 3: Use cords 5 - 8 and 9 - 12

Row 4: Use cords 7 - 10

Step 4: Move cord 1 down to the right, against the left edge of the V design.

Secure it with tension.

Organize cords 2 - 8, so they do not cross over each other.

Cords 2 - 4 are color A, followed by 5 and 6, which are color B. Cords 7 and 8 are color C.

Attach each one to the holding cord, with a Double Half Hitch (see below).

These Half Hitches should be tied by rotating counter-clockwise, as follows:

Make a loop by passing the working cord over the holding cord, and then under it. Pull it down, passing over the working cord. Tighten the knot firmly.

Tie a second knot the same way, against the first.

Step 5: Move holding cord 16 along the right edge of the V design. Secure it with tension.

Organize cords 15 - 9, so they don't overlap. Attach them to the holding cord with DHH (in that order).

The instructions are below:

These Half Hitches need to be tied in a clockwise direction, as follows:

Make a loop by passing the working cord over the holding cord, and then under it. Pull it down, passing over the working cord. Tighten firmly.

Tie a second knot, so it rests against the first.

Step 6: To attach the beak for your Owl Pendant, pass the holding cords through the flat bead, in opposite directions.

Holding cord 1 goes through the hole left to right.

Holding cord 16 goes through right to left.

Slide one round bead onto cords 4 - 5 (left eye).

Slide another one onto cords 12 - 13 (right eye).

Step 6, continued: Move holding cord 16 to the left, and secure it on a slight angle as shown in the image above.

Holding cord 1 should be secured on the right, on the same angle.

It's very important that the lower half of the Owl Pendant is the same on both sides.

So in each step, secure the holding cords carefully, on the same angle.

Step 7: Organize cords 8 - 2, and attach them to holding cord 16, with clockwise DHH (in that order).

Make very sure you attach the cords in the proper order and do not crisscross them.

This applies to the wings of the Owl Pendant, too.

Organize cords 9 - 15, and attach them to the other holding cord (1) with DHH.

These knots should be tied counter-clockwise.

The Wings

The wings for the Owl Pendant are made with 4 diagonal rows of Double Half Hitches, similar to what you just did in step 7.

It's important to organize the working cords each time, so you attach them in order. Otherwise, the striped color pattern won't work out.

On the left, the DHH should be made rotating clockwise. On the right, they are tied counter-clockwise.

You should tighten all the knots firmly, so the wings look neat.

After you complete one row, the holding cords will become part of the next row, and are considered working cords.

Step 8: For the first row, the holding cords are 8 and 9, which are at the center, near the beak of the Owl Pendant.

Secure cord 8 to the left, and cord 9 to the right, so they have tension.

Attach working cords 7 and 6 to holding cord 8 with DHH. Move the holding cord slightly to the right, to increase the angle. Attach cords 5 - 2 and 16.

Attach working cords 10 - 11 to holding cord 9 with DHH. Move the holding cord slightly to the left, and attach cords 12 - 15 and 1.

Row 2: On the left, the next holding cord is 7.

On the right, the holding cord is 10.

Secure them on the same angle as the previous row.

Important: Always increase the angle of the holding cords slightly after tying the first two knots, so there is more space between the rows near the edges of the pendant. Move the cords closer to the center.

This applies for all the following rows.

Attach working cords 6 - 2 along with 16 and 8 (previous holding cords), to holding cord 7.

Attach working cords 11 - 15, along with 1 and 9, to holding cord 8.

Row 3: The holding cords are 6 and 11.

Attach cords 5 - 2, along with 16, 8, and 7, to holding cord 6 with DHH.

Attach cords 12 - 15, along with 1, 9, and 10, to holding cord 11.

Step 9: The final row for the wings of the Owl Pendant is tied with holding cords 5 and 12.

Attach cords 4 - 2, as well as 16, 8, 7, 6 to holding cord 5. Attach cords 13 - 15, as well as 1, 9, 10, 11, to holding cord 12.

Change the angle as you progress, so the holding cords are almost vertical when you are finished.

To complete the wings for your Owl Pendant, use the previous holding cords (5 and 12), to tie a Square Knot.

The rest of the cords are the fillers, and should be organized and straight.

The Tail + Finishing

Step 10: You have two finishing options:

Option 1: You can stop here, and bring cords 5 and 12 to the back of the Owl pendant. Tie a tight Overhand knot with the two cords, similar to step 13 below.

Apply glue and tie another knot. When the glue is dry, cut off the excess material.

The remaining cords should be trimmed to 1 - 2 inches, for the tail.

Option 2: To add a stick, follow the instructions below:

Step 11: Locate cords 5 - 7 on the left, and 10 - 12 on the right. Separate them from the others.

Place the stick on top of the remaining cords.

Move the six cords you just selected on top of the stick.

Step 12: Select two cords from the group at the bottom, which rest under the stick.

Use them to tie two very tight Square Knots around ALL the others, which are the fillers.

As you tighten, push the stick up close to the SK tied in step 9. Apply glue and let it dry completely before moving on.

Step 13: Turn over the Owl Pendant. Bring the two cords you were just using to the back.

Tie a tight Overhand knot with the two cords. Apply glue and tie another one. When the glue is dry, cut off the extra material.

Step 14: Trim the remaining cords to 1 - 2 inches, to form the tail.

At the top of the Owl Pendant, use the two necklace cords to make your favorite design.

Important: Make sure the first knots are tied on either side of the head, so it can't move.

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