RAFFIA WALL HANGING

Instructions

Finished size: 44cm wide x 73cm (exc. hanging cord)

Knots & stitches used: Larks Head Knots on Mounting Rod (LHK), Horizontal Single/Double Half Hitch, Chain Stitch, Back Stitch (Refer to the downloadable project sheet for stitch diagrams)

Tip: Manage your work by supporting the rod on the ends of 2 chairs, Filler cords for mounting cords can be tied to the chair to maintain the horizonal level.

Step 1- Cut 32 lengths of Macrame Cord at 2 metres each, fold lengths in half and mount on the first dowel with a reverse LHKs (ensure ends are the same, it is important for the knots at the bottom). Create an even spacing to measure 44cm in width.

Step 2- Cut 2 lengths of Macrame Cord at 70cm lay first piece horizontally across the cords just below the rod, and work a row of Horizontal Half Hitch Knots from left to right, alternating with a double then a single (this ensures work remains at a width to match the header).

Step 3- Measure down 26cm from the top of your work and work a row of Horizontal Half Hitch Knots from right to left, alternating with a double then a single.

Step 4- Measure down 65cm and attach the second piece of dowel with a row of Horizontal Double Half Hitch Knots. Push tight together to a width of 44cm to match the top mounting cords. There will not be much cord left hanging, and if some are short, just do 1 half hitch and tie off with another until the final step.

Step 5- Using 4 stands of Fibra Natura Raffia (Natural) together by measuring off 20 times the width of your work and doubling and doubling again. Thread an end through the needle to wrap around all the cords as follows:

Back stich: Working from right to left, take the raffia from the back through the first 2 cords. Work a back stitch around the first cord then bring out between the second and the third cord. Repeat across the work wrapping the previous cord each time. When the end is reached, repeat the stitch, working from left to right.

Work 5 rows in total in the same colour. When new raffia is needed, take the end and tie a new group of 4 with a knot to the back.

Step 6- Work a chain stitch around the cords below the last row, this is achieved in the same way as crochet and a hook can be used but using your hand on this scale works just as well. Ensure each stitch is tight around each cord before moving to the next cord.

Step 7- Using the Orange Raffia Pollots, cut lengths at 20cms. As the thickness varies, group between 4 and 6 20cm lengths, fold in half, and add to each cord using a Larks Head Knot,

Note: The raffia will be quite unruly and will stick out, these fringes will be steamed and pressed to flatten. This can be done as you go or at the end. (Check the settings of your iron).

Step 8- Measure off 14 times the width of Fibra Natura double and double again and work a row of the back stitch wrap around all cord, just below the fringe to lock in place.

Step 9- Measure down 3.5cm from the bottom of the last row. Measure off 5 times the width of Macrame cord and work a row of the back stitch and wrap around all cords.

Step 10- Using 4 stands of Fibra Natura Raffia (Red) as in Step 5, work 6 rows of the wrapped back stitch.

Step 11- Repeat Step 6.

Step 12- Repeat Step 7 with Natural Raffia Pollots.

Step 13- Repeat Step 8.

Step 14- Working below the row of Half Hitch knots from Step 3, Repeat Step 10.

Step 15- Repeat Step 9.

Step 16- Work a further 3 rows of wrapped back stitch with Red.

Step 17- Repeat Step 6.

Step 18- Repeat Step 7 with Red Raffia Pollots.

Step 19- Repeat Step 8 with Red colour.

Step 20- Measure down 3.5cm and Repeat Step 7 with Orange Raffia Pollots.

Step 21- Repeat Step 8.

Step 22- Measure down 3.5cm and Repeat Step 9.

Step 23- Work 4 rows of wrapped back stitch with Natural as in Step 5.

Step 24- Work a row of wrap back stitch with Red.

Step 25- Work a further 6 rows of wrapped back stitch in Natural.

Step 26- Repeat row 6.

Step 27- Using the Red Raffia Pollots, cut lengths at 40cm. As the thickness varies group between 4-6 40cm lengths and add to each cord using a Larks Head Knot, below last row worked.

Step 28- Repeat 8.

Step 29- Before this final step, it is wise to recheck your knots around the bottom dowel. They can work loose as the hanging is made. Relevel and tie off to 65cm from the top.
Using the Natural Raffia Pollots, cut lengths at 30cm. As the thickness varies, group between 4-6 40cm lengths and add to each cord using a Larks Head Knot, just above Rod.

Finishing:

Steam Press: check the setting by testing the iron on a left-over length of Raffia, Steam is best, and can be pressed under a cloth if required.

Press all the fringe flat against the work, straightening ends if needed.

Trim fringe back to desired lengths, to show knotted work behind. In many cases these may need to be trimmed up to 2.5cm. A rotary cutting and cutting board can aid in the process (folding the work behind and carefully checking that no cord work is at risk of being cut by accident).

Using hot glue, neaten all the ends on the side of the work and glue flat behind the work, trim back the ends if necessary. Glue the bottom cords, around the rod, to the back of the hanging. These will require some trimming to keep it neat.

Hanging Cord: Cut a length of Macrame cord to 1 metre and attach to the rod on the outsides of the lark heads knots at the top. Tie off when happy when the length of the hanging cord, and glue to secure.