How to Macrame a Guitar Strap

Macrame is the ancient art of tying knots. Macrame means "fringe" in Arabic. Today, Macrame is commonly used to make fancy bags and belts through the skilful weaving of knots. Macrame can be used for just about anything, and its sturdy knots and material make it a great option for guitar straps. It also allows you to insert colourful beads to give your strap some flair.

Set aside 12 strands of material, using nylon, cotton or hemp. Measure each strand to six yards long each. Mark the six-yard mark with a black marker.

Cut the 12 strands at the marked point. Glue the ends of the strands to prevent them from unravelling. When you cut into the material, it exposes the ends and they may unravel otherwise.

Use a pin to secure the cords to a project board. Hang them vertically and place them in order from 1 through 12.

Take all of the cords in your hand and position your hand in the centre.

Tie alternating square knots. Using the odd numbered cords only, cross the right-hand cord over the left-hand cord. Bring the cord in your right hand under the left-hand cord; take the right cord over the left cord and the left cord over the right cord. Tighten the cords into a knot by pulling on both ends. Do this for each odd-numbered cord.

Take the even numbered rows and use cords to produce an alternating square knot.

Add beads onto the cords 1 through 12 or every other row if you want to create a snazzy design as you are making the Macrame guitar strap.

Renumber the cords left to right. Take the seventh cord and set it to the left diagonally and rest it on top of the other strands. Pull it tight so that it's taut. Attach five cords through one with double half hitches. To tie a double half hitch, hold the cord in your right hand and the second cord in your left. Loop the cord around the one cord that you set diagonally. Loop it again and poke it down through the hole that was created from the two loops. Cross the cords around the top of the one cord and then underneath. Bring the end of the loop forward and pull the knot to tighten. Do this for the first five cords in your sequence.

Take cord 6 and set it diagonally with a pin. Form the double half hitches for cords 8 through 12 as described in the step earlier.

Take cords 1 and 2, as well as 11 and 12, and tie a square knot in each pair. Take cord 1 and bring it over cord 2, then bring it over cord 2 and pull it to knot it. Do the same to create a square knot in cords 11 and 12.

Take cord 7 and direct it toward the centre and pull it diagonally to the right so it is taut. Attach the cord to the centre of the diamond with a double half hitch (the diamond refers to the shape that is created with the Macrame through the knots).

Perform double half hitch knots with cord 6, attaching them to cords 12 through 8. Complete the diamond by attaching one holding cord to the other with the double half hitch knot. Repeat the steps for creating a diamond with the remaining knots to create more diamonds.

Set one end of the guitar strap in front of you; the cords should be in a vertical position.

Number the cords in your head. Move down 1/2 to 1-inch and tie a square knot in cords 5 through 8. Insert a screw through the space in the knot and attach it to the guitar strap.

Take cords 1 through 4 and tie three to five square knots so that the last knot lines up with the square knot formed by cords 5 to 8.

Number the cords 1 through 12 and tie a square knot. Apply glue to the two square knots and let them dry completely. Apply beads to the ends before gluing if you would like.