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Half Hitch Spiral

  Half Hitch Spiral  

Description: The Half Hitch Spiral design is used often in Macrame patterns, and is a popular decorative knot for Micro-Macrame jewelry.

This type of spiral design is a bit easier to make than other similar patterns.

Spirals of any type are used often in plant hangers, belts, wall decorations, and more.

Variations: The Spiral with Picots, and the Shell Spiral. Both are vintage knots, popular in the late 1800's.


Step 1: You need two cords to practice the first Half Hitch Spiral, shown above. Secure them to your working surface so they are vertical.

The cord on the right will hold the knots. In the images, that's the blue strand. The other strand will be the working cord.

Design Tip: It doesn’t matter which strand you use when practicing, but a Macrame pattern will usually tell you which is the working cord. The working cord will usually be longer than the one holding the knots.

  Half Hitch  

Tie a Half Hitch in a clockwise direction, onto the holding cord.

To review, a Half Hitch is tied by passing the working cord over, and then under, the holding cord. Make sure it passes over the working cord as you bring it to the right.

  Next Half Hitch  

Step 2: Repeat this same process over and over. Push up on the knots as you progress, so they are close together.

  Half Hitch Spiral   The sennit will spiral on it's own, but you can help it along by giving the design a twist now and then.  
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Spiral with Picots

Half Hitch Spiral w/Picots

This interesting Vintage technique adds a unique touch to the standard spiral design. You will need 3 cords to practice this variation.
  5 Half Hitches  

Step 1: You need one working cord (positioned on the right) and two holding cords.

Use the working cord to tie 5 Half Hitches around the other two strands.

  Picot Loop   Step 2: When you tie the next Half Hitch, pull on it to make a picot loop. Secure it on the right. Then tie four more Half Hitches.  
Design Tip: Instead of a loop, try making an Overhand knot. I've seen this done often in vintage designs, to give the Half Hitch Spiral some character.
  Spiral with Picots   Step 3: Repeat step 2 over and over. You will need to twist the sennit periodically in order for it to spiral neatly.  
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Shell Spiral

Shell Spiral


This unusual Half Hitch Spiral technique was found in a book written in the late 1800's. I've never seen it in more modern books. It forms a beautiful scalloped chain of knots that are suitable for purse handles, bracelets, and more.

The concept behind this design is that the spiral is interrupted due to the fact that you switch cords. It looks better if you use two colors for this interesting decorative knot.


Step 1: You'll need 3 cords, at least 36 inches long. Mentally number the cords 1 thru 3, moving left to right.

  Five Half Hitches   Step 1: Use cord 3 (on the right - brown) to tie a total of five Half Hitches around the other two strands.  
  Twist the Sennit  

Step 2: Twist the sennit so the working cord (3) is on the left.

  Next Five Half Hitches   Step 3: Use the cord that is now on the right (1), to tie five Half Hitches around cords 3 and 2.  
  Twist Again  

Step 4: Twist the sennit again, so the original working cord (3) is back on the right. Tie the next five Half Hitches.

The key to this variaton of the Half Hitch Spiral is to ALWAYS use the working cord on the right, which will be either cord 1 or 3. Just twist and repeat.

  Shell Spiral   Step 5: This is a closer view of the "shells", which resemble beads along a cord.  
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