A macrame folding screen – two of my favorite crushes (macrame and screens) – have hooked up. With a little match-making by Ikea, that is.
I’ve always loved folding screens. And with a growing multitude of people downsizing to smaller homes and more minimalist lifestyles, screens play a useful role as unique and artistic room dividers. I’ve been dying to make one, but I just didn’t want to tackle a full-fledged woodworking project. I researched room divider FRAMES ONLY, but to no avail. So I filed away the idea for a future date – until I went to Ikea, that is.
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The solution? The Ivar side unit. It comes in both 12″ and 20″ widths and various heights. I bought three 20″ x 70″ side units for $12 each. Can’t beat that. And I love the Scandinavian feel of the light wood.
Next stop, hardware store. I bought six small hinges with screws. Note: use a wood screw that is 3/4″ – 1″ long for a secure hold. First I marked with pencil the placement of the hinges onto the frame. Then I drilled a tiny pilot hole with my electric drill where each screw would go; I attached the hinges with a screwdriver.
And that’s it for the frame! I decided to keep the natural color, but it can be painted or stained as well.
Oh, the possibilities are endless. You could staple textiles to the frame, or rattan webbing… or macrame, of course.
Once I assembled my screen, I began to plan a macrame design to weave onto the frame. And what I love most about this design is that – despite how intricate it looks – it consists of one basic knot (excluding the Lark’s Head Knot at the top.) Want to attempt this project but still intimidated? Let me repeat that. One. Basic. Knot.
As much as I love the Half Hitch Knot, I consider it an intermediate skill. I wanted to design this folding screen for everyone, including macrame beginners, so I only used the Square Knot or a slight variation of it.
supplies needed
- 60 pieces of 3/16″ cotton rope, measuring 25 ft. each
- masking tape (for wrapping the ends of the ropes to prevent fraying during the weaving)
- scissors
- 2 yards of 60″ wide muslin cotton fabric
step 1 – Lark’s Head Knot
Tie 20 pieces of 25′ cord to the first panel, using the Lark’s Head knot.
step 2 – Square Knot
Beginning with the first individual cord on the left, make a horizontal row of 10 Square Knots.
step 3 – creating a diamond design
Using this key, follow the instructions below to make 11 horizontal rows. This will create a diamond pattern.
- row 1: (already completed) beginning with 1st individual cord on left, tie 10 Square Knots
- row 2: beginning with 3rd cord, tie 9 Alternating Square Knots
- row 3: beginning with 5th cord, tie 8 Alternating Square Knots
- row 4: beginning with 7th cord, 3K – S4 – 3K – S6
- row 5: beginning with 9th cord, 2K – S8 – 2K – S8
- row 6: beginning with 11th cord, 1K – S12 – 1K – S10
- row 7: beginning with 9th cord, 2K – S8 – 2K – S8
- row 8: beginning with 7th cord, 3K – S4 – 3K – S6
- row 9: beginning with 5th cord, 8K – S4
- row 10: beginning with 3rd cord, 9K – S2
- row 11: beginning with 1st cord, 10K
step 4 – Half Square Spiral Knots
Don’t be fooled by the name; you don’t have to learn a new knot! The Half Square Spiral Knot is simply an easy variation of the Square Knot. You’ve got this!
Beneath your last row of Square Knots, starting with the 5th individual cord from the left, use the next group of 4 cords to tie a Half Square Spiral Knot. This is the same as tying a vertical row of Square Knots but always starting from the same side. Continue weaving this vertical row of spiral knots until you reach the top of the next crossbar on the wooden frame. Skip the next 4 individual cords, then make another vertical row of Half Square Spiral Knots. Continue making more vertical rows of spiral knots and skipping the required number of cords as shown in the photo below.
step 5 – finishing top section
To attach the top section of the panel to the first crossbar, pull the first cord on the left down behind the crossbar, then up in front and down behind again, as shown in photo below. Pull the loose end tightly downward.
Now take the next cord and attach it to the crossbar in the same fashion, except alternating the directions. This time you will start with it in front of crossbar, then pull up behind it, then down in front; tighten. The next (3rd) cord will go behind the bar just like the first one, and the fourth cord will start in front like the third.
Pull the 4 dangling ends firmly, tie a Square Knot directly under the wooden crossbar.
Continue draping the cords in the alternating fashion over the crossbar. Then make firm Square Knots with every group of 4 cords. See below.
This is what the completed top panel should look like:
step 6 – middle section
You now have the top section of the panel finished and a row of Square Knots just beneath the crossbar.
Immediately beneath this row, weave the following sequence:
- Starting with the 3rd individual cord from the left, tie a Square Knot. Then tie another Square Knot directly beneath the first knot.
- Skip the next 4 individual cords.
- Tie another Square Knot (with a second knot directly beneath it.)
- Skip 4 more cords.
- Tie another Square Knot (with a second knot directly beneath it.)
- Skip 4 more cords.
- Tie another Square Knot (with a second knot directly beneath it.)
- Skip 4 more cords.
- Tie a final Square Knot (with a second knot directly beneath it.)
- Skip the last 2 individual cords.
To complete this middle section, follow the sequence below:
- Starting with the 7th individual cord from the left, about 4″ above the top of the second wooden crossbar, tie a Square Knot. Then tie a second Square Knot directly beneath it.
- Skip the next 4 individual cords.
- 4″ above the crossbar, tie a Square Knot (with a second knot directly beneath it.)
- Skip 4 cords.
- 4″ above the crossbar, tie a Square Knot (with a second knot directly beneath it.)
- Skip 4 cords.
- 4″ above the crossbar, tie a Square Knot (with a second knot directly beneath it.)
- Skip the last 6 individual cords.
Now, starting with the 1st cord on the left, make a row across of Square Knots. They should fall right above the top of the crossbar.
To secure the middle panel to the second crossbar, separate the loose cords (with 1st & 3rd cords behind and 2nd & 4th cords in front), as show in photo below. Then, directly underneath the crossbar, using those 4 loose cords, tie a secure Square Knot. Do this across for all the cords.
step 7 – bottom section
You’re almost done with this entire panel! Just a few more steps.
- Beneath the last row of Square Knots, staring with the 7th individual cord, tie a Square Knot, skip 4 cords, Square Knot, skip 4, Square Knot, skip 4, Square Knot, skip 6
- Starting with the 3rd cord from left, tie a Half Square Spiral Knot until it is 7″ long
- Keep tying Half Square Spiral Knots (7″ long) in between each of the Square Knots from the previous row
- Make several random knots in the loose cords, as shown below, just to add some texture.
- Tie knots near the bottom of each cord, slightly staggered at various heights, then fray the ends. This lends a bit of Bohemian flavor to the design.
step 8 – fabric backing
Lining the back of the wooden screen frame with fabric is completely optional. If using the screen to hide a closet or storage area, however, it’s nice to keep the mess hidden from view! If you decide to line the back, there are also a ton of fabric choices.
I decided to go with a simple white muslin fabric; it’s inexpensive and creates a soft background for the sculptural feel of the macrame design. Using a stapler gun, I attached the fabric to the back of the wooden frame.
step 9 – almost done
That’s right. You’re almost there! Just repeat steps 1 through 8 for the remaining two frames. Now just side back and admire your work! I promise your friends will envy this macrame folding screen.
The biggest compliment is a little share – pin the photo below!
Gorgeous, Wendy, and so clever! I hope we get to see this at TTA this week! (Party closes tonight!)
Thanks JUlie!
This is such and inspiring project Wendy… I didn’t know IKEA had those frames!
Thank you for sharing your gorgeous macrame frames DIY at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring your post at tonight’s party and pinning too.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Thanks! The frames are actually for a shelving unit, but they work beautifully.
This is just stunning! Featuring when my link party opens up.
Thanks so much Carol!
I am so glad you shared this post. I have an old metal folding screen that I have been holding on to for years waiting for the right inspiration to give it a makeover. Macrame may be a good option to finally get that project done. Even if not you have reminded me of a neglected project that I am now inclined to finally finish. This post will be a feature this week. Thanks for joining the link party. #HomeMattersParty
Glad you liked it, Donna!
This is absolutely stunning, WOW, I am gobsmacked, love it.
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Thank you for the sweet words!
What a clever and beautiful idea!
I’m a newbie. I’ve made some plant hangers. I’m wanting to make this privacy screen and was wondering how I would need to change the length or number of strings per panel if I wanted to use 3 mm rope instead. Is there a lot of changes I’d have to do? I’m not planning to use any cloth on it so the macrame can be seen from both rooms
Hi Amy, 3mm rope is just a bit smaller than what I used, so it may be fine to follow the tutorial as is. However, if you want the weave a little tighter, when you add more ropes, just make the sure you add 4 individual cords at a time. All macrame patterns work better if the number of individual cords are divisible by 4. So add 4 or either 8 if you decide you need to add any at all. Hope this helps.
That project turned out really nice! Great work! I have been thinking that I need to have a privacy screen for by our sliding glass door to the backyard. Something like this would be perfect! Thanks!
Hi! This is fantastic! I want to make one. 🙂 I was wondering what the back side looks like…I want it to divide up our large living room/dining space, so can’t have one side looking fabulous and the other not so much. lol Also, any ideas on how to cover the little holes on the posts? I’m so excited about this I’m thinking of heading to IKEA today! Thank goodness we have one here in Lisbon. Thanks so much. Cheers from Portugal!
you can fill in the holes on the post with wood filler, then sand down The back side just shows the fabric. I would suggest putting a more decorative fabric on the back side as an option for a room divider.
Hi! Thanks. I wasn’t sure if you’d see my comment. I will look into the wood filler, I’m just concerned it won’t match entirely…my husband and a friend of mine say just leave the holes! Which I prob. will in the end. 🙂 O.k. so it sounds like it wouldn’t look so great on the back side without fabric…I like the idea of looking for something a little decorative but still neutral. Thanks so much Wendy!
You are welcome. I think leaving the holes is not a big deal at all. I agree.
Thank you for this beautiful idea and explanation. It will be my first macrame project
bonjour, votre paravent est super beau. je vais me lancer pour le réaliser, par contre pourriez vous me donner la quantité de coton utiliser pour les 3 panneaux svp ?
Muriel,
Je ne suis pas Wendy, bien évidemment, mais j’ai calculé la quantité de coton. C’est 1500 yards, soit environ 1400 mètres. Pour l’épaisseur, c’est 3/16 inch, soit entre 4 et 5 mm.
Je ne fais pas de macramé, mais Wendy à dit que si l’on emploie une corde de 3mm, il faudra peut-être employer plus de cordes. Dans ce cas, il faudra employer plus de cordes. Chaque corde est 60 feet, soit 18.3 mètres. Si l’on ajoute des cordes, il faut en ajouter quatre. On emploie toujours des multiples de 4. De même, si on emploie moins des cordes, il faut garder des multiples de 4.
Je sais que ça fait un moment que tu poses cette question, mais je me suis amusée à faire les calculs. (Et il m’a fait plaisir de répondre en français.)
Kathryn
This really did blow my mind! I’m not normally one to leave comments but, I had to thank you for this beautiful post! Not only am I amazed at the detailed instructions but, also the amount of time it must have taken to share it all with everyone! I can’t wait to get started! Thank you! Thank you!
Debbie, thanks so much for your sweet comments. Yes, it does take a lot of time. lol
Wendy!
I want this but my ADD will not allow me to focus on all that braiding. If you happen to sell these, please let me know!
Thank you… and its a beaut!
What a beauty.
Amalia
xo
Thanks so much!
This is awesome. Thanks for sharing it with us at the Waste Not Wednesday link party. Looking forward to seeing what you are going to share this week.
Thanks Denise!
Thanks so much Deborah. I’ve got to stop making these things… I have no room in my house for more. lol
THis is just so gorgeous.
Thanks for linking up to Waste Not Wednesday!!!
This turned out so beautifully!!! What a great idea and so pretty on the eyes!
Thank you for sharing your fabulous project with us over at Waste Not Wednesday!!
Thanks Sam!
Wow Wendy, this is stunning. It’s like a piece of art.
Thanks Julie, I find macrame rather therapeutic. Wish I felt the same way about cleaning my house!
It turned out beautiful!!! Can not wait to see it in person.
Thanks Robin! I’m proud of it.
My mom was just telling me the other day that she wanted to look for her old macrame books because she wanted to start up with it again. Just sent her this link. I know she’s gonna love it! Found this tutorial at the Handmade Monday link up hosted by Sum of their Stories.
Thanks Alexandra! I hope she’ll enjoy my site.
Wow, Rita! Your sweet comment took MY breath away. Thank you so very much!
When I opened your post and saw the screen, it took my breath away. What an extraordinary creation.
Stunning. Really like the simplicity but elegance of it. I thought it should have a tight bottom but I actually like the free hanging rope. Gives it more movement.
Thank you so much Cindy. Funny, I debated about the bottom. My vision had always been for it to be flowing and loose, so I tried to compromise. Thanks!