Too many stuffed animals in your child’s stuffy collection? We’ve got you covered mama! Follow along with our simple DIY using the instructions below!
Supplies Needed:
- 2x macrame cord spools - 22x 16' lengths of macrame cord (352 feet total) and 5x 8' lengths of macrame cord (40 feet total)
- 1x 11/16 dowel 40" long (can be found at most hardware stores)
- 1x 7/8 dowel 40" long
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Gather up your supplies, trim down your dowels, and cut all your string lengths.
2. Take your 16’ lengths of macrame and fold them in half. Loop the macrame at the halfway point, onto your thicker dowel. Loop your macrame length over the dowel, pulling the strings through the loop on the other side.
3. Repeat until all 22 lengths have been looped onto the dowel. Slide your lengths to create groups of two that are approximately 2” apart. Each group should have four strands coming out of it.
4. Take a section of four strands. The following knot will be used all through the rest of the tutorial. It is called a square knot - take the far left string and cross it OVER the middle two cords.
5. Take the far right piece of cord, loop it over and then behind the far left piece you just brought over. Pass it behind the two middle pieces of cord, and forward through the loop made between pieces 1 & 2.
6. Pull the knot taut so that it sits directly beneath the dowel.
7. While keeping the first knot taut, take the far right piece. Cross it OVER the middle two pieces of cord and hold it there.
8. Take the far left piece, loop it over the far right piece you’ve brought over, behind the two middle pieces, and then through the loop between pieces 3 & 4. This is the opposite knot to the first one you just made.
9. Pull the knot tight up against the first one to secure it. The two smaller knots together make one complete square knot!
10. Repeat making square knots on all of the string groups.
11. Lay your strings flat so you can easily seem them. We will make our first tier of knots to start the ‘net’ of our hammock. Starting wherever you prefer (see step 13 to ensure that where you start allows for the extra strings on the outside), select two groups side by side. Take the last two strands from the first group, and the first two strands from the second group and bring them together in between.
12. With your new group of four strands, make a Square Knot. Unlike the Square Knots made in steps 4-9, your knots will be made about 5-6” down from the dowel. This can be a bit tricky, but ensure you keep your strings taut and flat.
13. Repeat on the remaining strands until your first tier has been made. You will have two extra strings on either side of your first tier. When making your second tier, simply bring them down and rejoin them to the groups. We made about 9 - 10 tiers for a hammock long enough for our preferences.
14. When you feel your hammock length is adequate (remembering that about ⅓ of it will come back up to form the hammock loop), lay your second dowel across your last tier of knots.
15. One at a time, take your knot sections and flip them up and over the second dowel piece.
16. Split the strings coming from your last knot, bringing them behind the dowel. Be sure that strand 1 & 2 go to the left of the strings coming down to the dowel, and that strand 3 & 4 go to the right of the other strings coming down to the dowel.
17. Join the strings back together under the dowel. Make 2x Square Knots up against the dowel.
18. Grab two of your shorter 8’ lengths, fold them in half, and loop them onto your top thicker dowel on the far right or left side. These will be your support pieces for your stuffy hammock and allow your second dowel to hang suspended properly.
19. After pushing your loops together, take all four strands and make a Square Knot directly under your top dowel.
20. Repeat making Square Knots in the same spacing as your knot tiers. You should have about 1.5’ of spaced Square Knots.
21. Repeat steps 15 - 17 to secure the support pieces from your top dowel to your bottom dowel.
22. Repeat making a support piece on the other side of your hammock as well.
23. Taking your last 8’ piece of macrame cording, make your macrame hanger. Go to the end of your string and tie a simple knot around the left side of your dowel. With your hammock laying down, you can approximate how much of a ‘triangle’ you want for your piece to hang on. Once you’ve determined your hanging string length, tie a knot on the opposite side of your dowel. This triangle shape will make it easy to hang with a single hook or nail on a wall.
24. With your new hanging string, hang up your Macrame Stuffy Hammock! We chose to trim our front knot pieces and feather them slightly. You can keep those pieces short, long, frayed, or neat - whatever you prefer! Pro tip: if you want an easy way to fray the ends, grab a wire dog brush and lightly brush out the ends!
We hope you enjoyed this DIY Macrame Stuffy Hammock! Be sure to tag us on instagram if you make your own using #createdwithcarasupply We love seeing your creativity!
Happy Crafting!
Xo
-the girls
**The products, materials, and supplies sold by Cara & Co. Silicone Craft Supply are intended for use by adults and should never be left unattended with a child.
***Small objects and beads can present choking hazards to young children. Never leave a child unattended with beads or other products. Always dispose of any damaged product. No product is completely indestructible, and fully formed teeth could potentially damage product if chewed aggressively, so responsible attentiveness is needed for any user or purchaser. Customers should always inspect and monitor their products, discontinuing use at the first sight of damage.
****Once our products have been sold and shipped to our customers, Cara & Co Silicone Craft Supply Inc., waives all responsibility and liability from the use of our products. Customers are responsible that their final products made from our supplies meet the appropriate safety requirements for their region. Our buyers understand that by purchasing our products or using suggestions from the above tutorial, the buyer assumes any and all responsibility and liability for the use of the products.
*****Cords, clasps and pacifier clips are not intended to be chewed on and may present choking hazards.