Snow Owl

Description: This attractive Snow Owl will add an appealing touch to your seasonal or holiday decorations.  It features a wavy fringe on the forehead, face, and wings.

This Macrame pattern is rated moderate, but it can be made by beginners who know the knots used in the design. 

To change this wall decoration, try using 2 different colors, or gray and brown. 

The finished size of this Macrame Owl is 15 inches. 

• 6mm Braided Cord (150 yards total)

• 4mm Natural Jute for the claws -- optional (6 yards)

• One 15-inch Ring

• Two 2-inch Rings

• Eyes: Two 20mm Black beads  (10mm holes)

• Beak: One 32mm oval brown or black bead (10mm hole)

• Decorations:  A branch, flowers, leaves, etc.

Knots Used:

• Larks Head Knot

• Alternating Square Knots

• Overhand Knot

• Double Half Hitch (DHH)

• Wrapped Knot

• Barrel Knot

The Body

Step 2: Mentally number the cords for the body 1 - 36. 

Using only the 3-yard cords, tie 5 rows of Alternating Square Knots, in the groups shown below.  Each knot should be tied using 2 working cords and 2 fillers.

Rows 1, 3, 5:  Use 1 - 4,  5 - 8,  9 - 12,  13 - 16,  17 - 20,  21 - 24,

                     25 - 28,   29 - 32, and 33 - 36

Rows 2 , 4:  Use 3 - 6,  7 - 10,  11 - 14,  15 - 18,  19 - 22,  23 - 26,

                     27 - 30, and 31 - 34

The first row should rest against the Larks Head knots from the previous step, and will follow the curve of the ring. 

Tighten all the knots firmly, so the rows in the body of the Snow Owl are close together.

Row 6:   Slide one of the beads for the eyes onto cords 12 - 13.  Slide another one onto cords 24 - 25.

Tie the ASK using cords 3 - 6, 7 - 10, 11 - 14, 15 - 18,

19 - 22, 23 - 26,  27 - 30, and 31 - 34

When you reach the beads, make sure the knots are resting against the bottom of them. 

Row 7:  Slide the 22mm bead for the beak onto cords 18 - 19. 

Tie the ASK with cords  1 - 4, 5 - 8, 9 - 12, 13 - 16,  21 - 24,

25 - 28,  29 - 32, and 33 - 36.  Do not use cords 17 - 20.

Step 3: Continue the Alternating Square Knots (rows 8 - 20):

Even Numbered Rows:  Use 1 - 4, 5 - 8, 9 - 12, 13 - 16, 17 - 20,

                                  21 - 24,  25 - 28,   29 - 32, and 33 - 36

Odd Numbered Rows:  Use 3 - 6, 7 - 10, 11 - 14, 15 - 18, 19 - 22,

                                  23 - 26, 27 - 30, and 31 - 34

Row 21:  Attach cords 1, 2, 35, 36 to the bottom left and right areas of the ring, with Double Half Hitches.

Be sure to stretch the Snow Owl body taut as you attach the cords to the ring.

Complete the row of ASK with the remaining cords.  Since it's an odd numbered row, use cords 3 - 34 (see step 3).

Row 22:  Attach cords 3, 4, 33 and 34 to the ring with DHH.  Use cords 5 - 32 to complete the row. (see step 3 - even)

Row 23:  Attach cords 5, 6, 31, and 32 to the ring with DHH.  Use cords 7 - 30 to complete the row. (see step 3 - odd)

Row 24:  Attach cords 7, 8, 29, and 30 to the ring with DHH.  Use cords 9 - 28 to complete the row. (see step 3 - even)

Step 4: Attach all of the remaining cords to the ring with DHH.

The Claws (optional)

Step 7:  Repeat step 6 to create a new set of claws on the left side of the Snow Owl body design.

The Wings

Step 8:  Cut 20 cords, each 72 inches long.  Prepare the ends with tape to prevent unraveling while you work.

Mount the cords to the right area of the ring, with Larks Head Knots.  These cords should fit in the exposed area of the ring, between the upper and lower body.

The “heads” of the knots should be face up, same as the knots for the body of the Snow Owl.

Step 9: Mentally number the wing cords 1 - 40. Tie 2 rows of Alternating Square Knots. 

For row 1, use cords 1 - 40.  For row 2, use cords 3 - 38.

Step 10:  For Rows 3 - 9, drop (don't use) the first and last 2 cords. Tie the row with the remaining cords:

Row 3:  Drop cords 3, 4, 37, 38.  Tie the ASK with 5 - 36.

Row 4:  Drop cords 5, 6, 35, 36.  Tie the ASK with 7 - 34.

Row 5:  Drop cords 7, 8, 33, 34.  Tie the ASK with 9 - 32.

Row 6:  Drop cords 9, 10, 31, 32.  Tie the ASK with 11 - 30.

Row 7:  Drop cords 11, 12, 29, 30.  Tie the ASK with 13 - 28.

Row 8:  Drop cords 13, 14, 27, 28.  Tie the ASK with 15 - 26.

Row 9:  Drop cords 15, 16, 25, 26.  Tie the ASK with 17 - 24.

Step 11:  Organize the dropped cords along the edges of the wing. 

Locate cord 1, to be used as a holding cord. It should follow the angle of the Square knots on the left. Attach cords 2 - 20 to it with DHH.

Locate cord 40, and place it over the remaining cords on the right.  Attach cords 39 - 21 to it with DHH, in that order.

Step 12: Pass the two holding cords (1 and 40) through the body via openings near the edges.  The wings of the Snow Owl should bulge outward slightly.

In the back of the Snow Owl, tie an Overhand knot with each cord to secure the wing. Apply glue and cut off any remainder.

Step 13:  Trim cords 2 - 11 to 2 inches, and work them into the back of the wing, weaving through the back of the knots to hold them in place.

Do the same with cords 30 - 39.

Trim the remaining ends, so they rest close to the bottom of the large ring.  Unravel each cord, but do not brush.  The Snow Owl looks best with a wavy fringe.

Step 14: Repeat steps 8 - 13 to make the left wing.

Eye Feathers

Step 15: Cut 28 cords, each 8 inches long. 

Mount 14 of the cords to one of the small rings, using Larks Head Knots.

Repeat for the second ring. Unravel the cords completely. 

Step 16: Place the rings centered over each eye of the Snow Owl.  Pass pieces of scrap cord around the rings at the top and bottom.

Secure them with Overhand knots in the back of the design. Apply glue to the knots, and trim off any remaining material.

Trim the eye feathers to the length you want, making sure they are shorter in the area between the eyes, so they don't overlap.    Unravel each cord completely.

Finishing Touches