Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
This Victorian-inspired cabochon choker can be made up of the leftover crystals and beads from your
previous jewelry endeavors. It features a variety of varied micro-macramé components, which, when
held up to the light, look like roundels of stained glass lace.
This choker is an intermediate/advanced project. If you are unfamiliar with any of the knots or
techniques featured in this tutorial, I suggest you purchase my book  Micro-Macramé: 30 Beaded
Designs for Jewelry Using Crystals and Cords, published in the U.S. by St. Martin s Press.
Please read through the instructions before making a final decision on your supply list; you may already
have enough beads in your stash to complete this choker, and it will give you a better idea of what you ll
need to accomplish this project.
Supply List
14 to 16 6mm Swarovski crystals of colors of your choice
OR a combination of beads approx. 6mm in size  make sure you have 2 of each
Lots of 3mm and 4mm fire polished beads or Swarovski crystals, your choice of colors
2 tube size 8 beads in analogous colors (such as blue and green, or teal and blue)
2 tubes size 11 beads in analogous colors (such as cobalt and emerald)
Optional: 2 tubes size 6 beads in analogous colors (such as teal and emerald)
18x25mm domed semi-precious stone, paua shell or fused glass cabochon
Small piece of ultrasuede
Nymo thread and beading needle
E6000 Glue
Scissors
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
1
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
12 120inch lengths of size 3 Euro Tool Tuff Cord or size 3 Stringth in the color of your choice
Padded clipboard or macramé board
Straight Pins
Sewing needle and thread
1 5/8 Button
You can certainly go out and buy the beads you need if you don t have leftovers, but this is a mix and
match project made up of those extra beads from previous projects. For the large beads that will
become the centerpieces of the roundels, make sure you have two of each. Try not to use anything
larger than 6mm for the central beads; if you use large beads, the sections of beads flanking the central
focus beads will become too big and heavy.
First things first: play with the color composition. Sort your beads into segments that feature one
central bead (approx. 6mm in size) surrounded by a semi-circle of 4mm or 3mm crystals, size 6 seed
beads or glass beads that are smaller than the focus beads in the center, but large enough to make an
impact colorwise. Be sure to use an assortment of beads and colors.
This is one possible combination; make sure you have enough beads to create both sides of the choker.
Gluing the cabochon. Once you have established a plan of action for the sequence of colors in your
choker, set this aside and glue the semi-precious stone cabochon to the 2 inch square of ultra suede.
The semi-precious stone cabochon used in this project is Azurite, which serves as the inspiration for the
palette of blue and green bead colors.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
2
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Couching the cabochon. After the glue has dried, couch a line of blue size 11 seed beads all the way
around the outer edge of the cabochon. Thread about a yard of Nymo onto a beading needle and
anchor the thread to the back of the ultra suede. Sew through the ultrasuede bringing the needle up
right next to the cabochon. Add 6 beads to the needle and bring it back down through the ultrasuede.
Backstitch by 3 beads and thread your needle through the 3 beads, stringing another 3 beads onto the
needle before passing it back down through the ultrasuede. Continue adding beads this way until you
have sewn beads all the way around the cabochon.
When you have completed the line of couched seed beads, you ll add a layer of beads on top of it. Do
this by adding one bead on top of every other bead.
This will displace every other bead down somewhat causing the first layer of beads to zigzag up and
down slightly.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
3
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Now add another row of beads, sewing them in between the little pockets left between the second row
of beads. When you have completed that row, your cabochon should look like this:
You can stop beading after this row and cut the cabochon away from the square of ultrasuede backing,
but make sure not to cut into any of the stitches you ve sewn into the ultrasuede.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
4
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Or you can continue to add two more layers of beads to the cabochon (after you ve cut away the excess
ultrasuede)
The beading should be flexible enough that you can tamp it down around the cabochon, molding it to
the cabochon s shape. Smoosh away!
Now turn the beaded cabochon over and lay it on a piece of paper towel or waxed paper. Take the 12
pieces of 120 inch long cord and find their half points (60 inches in from either side). Lay them over the
backside of the cabochon and glue them in place.
Cut another oval of ultrasuede and glue it over the back of the cabochon, covering the cords and glue.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
5
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Roll up one of the side lengths of cords and clamp it with the clip on the padded clipboard, if you are
working with a padded clipboard. After that, anchor the cabochon into the padded clipboard with long
straight pins. This really helps secure the cabochon as you are working knots. I cannot stress this
enough, particularly when you are knotting double half hitch knots. Throughout the following pictures
you ll see plenty of pins used to stabilize the knotting. Another trick is to scotch tape cords you aren t
using out of the way so they don t interfere with your work.
Begin knotting. Starting from the left hand side, and using the leftmost cord as the filler cord, knot a row
of double half hitch knots all the way across the other cords.
Counting from the left, with the first cord on the left being Cord 1, place a size 11 seed bead on Cord 2,
place 2 seed beads on Cord 4, 1 size 6 seed bead on cords 6 and 7, 2 size 11 seed beads on Cord 9 and 1
seed bead on Cord 11.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
6
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Tie a row of diagonal double half hitch knots starting from the left and angling the knots down towards
the right, ending after Cord 6.
Starting with Cord 12 on the right hand side, tie a row of diagonal double half hitch knots, ending after
Cord 7.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
7
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Creating the Roundel. Separate the cords hanging down from the cabochon into three equal segments
of 4 cords.
String a 6mm bead onto the two centermost cords. String enough size 11 seed beads on the cords
adjacent to the centermost cords to surround the 6mm bead; in this example it took 9 seed beads to
surround the central bead; with other 6mm beads it will take fewer seed beads as you will see in the
roundels featured later in this tutorial.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
8
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Tie a flat knot using the two central cords and the cords adjacent to them. Remember: a flat knot is
square knot that is formed around the two centermost cords, encompassing them.
On the leftmost cord, string two size 11 seed beads. On the two cords next to it, string either a 4mm,
3mm, size 6 seed bead or other fancy bead of approximately that size.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
9
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Create a flat knot underneath the size 6 seed bead using the two cords adjacent to the cords the size 6
seed bead is on.
Continue adding flat knots encasing seed beads until you have created enough of them to form a semi-
circle on one side of the central bead.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
1
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
0
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Now do the same for the right side:
Take cords 3 and 4 and cords 5 and 6 and create a flat knot, using Cords 3 and 6 to tie the flat knot
around Cords 4 and 5. This will cause the left band of seed beaded knots to arch around the central
bead.
Take Cords 7, 8, 9 and 10 and tie a flat knot with them using Cords 7 and 10 as the outer cords.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
1
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
1
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Separate the cords hanging down into three equal sections of 4 cords each.
String either a 4mm, 3mm or size 6 bead onto the two innermost cords.
Using the cords adjacent to the two innermost cords, tie a flat knot.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
1
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
2
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Now tie a flat knot on either side of this central flat knot, using the four cords on the left for the first flat
knot, and the four cords on the right for the second flat knot.
We re now going to create a V shaped pattern made up of flat knots. As you ll see, the row of knots you
finished equals three knots; under it you will tie two knots, then under that row, one single knot in the
middle. So the sequence of knots looks like this:
knot bead knot
knot knot
knot
To continue:
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
1
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
3
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Take Cords 3, 4, 5 and 6 and tie a flat knot with them. Then take cords 7, 8, 9 and 10 and tie a flat knot
with them. Don t worry about Cords 1 and 2 and 11 and 12, just let them hang down.
Tie a flat knot using Cords 5, 6, 7 and 8.
The next step is to encase these flat knots with a row of diagonal double half hitch knots.
Starting from the left side, tie a row of diagonal double half hitch knots that slant down towards the
right, ending after Cord 6. Then tie a series of diagonal double half hitch knots starting from the right
side and ending after Cord 7.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
1
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
4
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Optional detail: you can leave the next step out if you choose.
Add one more line of diagonal double half hitch knots after this first row by stringing a size 11 seed bead
on Cords 1, 3, 5. Add a size 8 seed bead to Cords 6 and 7  if the size 8 seed bead is too small to get the
two cords through, use a size 6 seed bead. Then string a seed bead on Cords 8, 10 and 12.
From the left side, tie a row of diagonal double half hitch knots ending after Cord 6. Then, from the right
side, tie a row of diagonal double half hitch knots ending after Cord 7.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
1
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
5
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Congratulations! You have completed one roundel! All of the roundels that follow in this tutorial are
variations on this theme: a central bead segment flanked by beading segments made up of smaller
beads. The only portion of the following roundels that will remain the same in each variation is the V
shaped flat knotting sequence below the central bead.
Let s look at Variation #1: Pear shaped crystal surrounded by 4mm fire-polished crystals
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
1
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
6
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
See how Variation #1 has only 3 size 4mm beads flanking the central pear-shaped bead section?
Each roundel s outer flanking bead sections is determined by the size of the beads used; you will
probably need three 4mm beads on either side of a central section, but if you use 3mm beads, you
might need 4 per side section.
Now let s move on to Variation #2.
Variation # 2  Elongated glass beads flanking a 6mm Swarovski Bicone.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
1
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
7
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
You ll notice that the seed beads enclosing the 6mm Swarovski Bicone bead will naturally split into two
sections of 4 beads each.
Now let s move on to Variation # 3: Alternating colors of seed beads surrounding the 6mm round
Swarovski Crystal and alternating the sizes of side-flanking beads
Here we will use two different sizes of beads to create the arching flank of beads surrounding the
central bead section. Also note that both green and blue seed beads surrounding the central bead are
used to vary the color.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
1
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
8
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
You now have 4 variations of the roundel . You will need to create another three or four roundels
depending on the length of the choker and how loosely you knotted on the previous four roundels.
My challenge to you is to create your own variations for the remained of this choker! If this is too much
for you to handle, simple repeat the four variations you ve been given above.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
1
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
9
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Also remember, there are another seven or eight roundels to create on the other side of the cabochon;
if you are like me, you ll want to duplicate what you have knotted on this side to match.
When you have finished knotting the seventh roundel on this side, measure your neck and divide that
measurement by two; if seven roundels isn t long enough for one half of your choker, which should be
around 7 1/2 inches, or 19cms in length, knot an eighth roundel. After that, you are ready to create the
Button Bed to finish off this side of the choker.
The Button Bed is a section of alternating flat knots that will makes up for the button to be sewn on the
end of this side of the choker.
Creating the Button Bed. Tie the left hand side segment of beads to the central section by using Cords 3,
4, 5 and 6 to create a flat knot. Then tie the right hand segment of beads to the central section by using
Cords 7, 8, 9 and 10 to create a flat knot. Take the four central cords and string a 4mm bead onto the
innermost cords. Use their adjacent cords to tie a flat knot under the 4mm bead. Tie a flat knot on either
side of the 4mm beads, using Cords 1 through 4 for the first flat knot and Cords 9 through 12 for the
second flat knot.
Now you ll tie two flat knots under these three flat knots.
The knotting sequence of the alternating flat knots will look like this:
knot bead knot
knot knot
knot knot knot
knot knot
knot knot knot
knot knot
and so forth for approximately one inch, ending with a row of two knots across.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
2
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
0
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
After you have achieved an inch of alternating flat knots, tie one flat knot with the centermost four
cords.
Now tie a row of diagonal double half hitch knots from the left side, then tie a row of diagonal double
half hitch knots from the right side.
To unite the two sides of diagonal double half hitch knots at the bottom of the V shape, tie Cord 6 over
Cord 7 in a double half hitch knot.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
2
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
1
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Now tie another row of diagonal double half hitch knots on the left and right sides. This is to secure the
end of the choker.
Voila! You are finished with this side!
But I have another challenge for you:
Can you figure out how I created the following edge?
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
2
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
2
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Here is the sequence of steps; notice that I left off the outer two cords on either side when I started the
diagonal double half hitch knots.
Once you have finished the Button Bed, it is now time to work the other side of the choker. When you
have completed the (or ) roundel, you will need to create a Buttonhole.
Creating a Buttonhole. Separate the twelve strands of cord into three equal sections. Just as you have
done before, tie the left bead section to the central bead section in a flat knot using Cords 3, 4 ,5 and 6.
Then tie the right section to the central section in a flat knot using Cords 7, 8, 9 and 10. In the center
underneath these two flat knots, tie one central flat knot with the four central cords.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
2
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
3
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Now separate the cords into two sections, six cords on the left and six cords on the right. Tie a flat knot
using Cord 1 and 6 as the outer cords, enclosing cords 2 through 5. Then tie a flat knot using Cords 7 and
12, enclosing Cords 8 through 11.
String a size 11 seed bead onto Cord 1 and tie a flat knot, using Cords 1 and 6 to enclose Cords 2 through
5. Continue stringing single seed beads onto Cord 1 and tying flat knots for 5 more rows (for a total of
six rows). If you have a button larger than 5/8 , you may need to add another flat knot/seed bead.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
2
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
4
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Now do the same for the right side; string a size 11 seed bead onto Cord 12 and tie a flat knot
underneath it. Continue this pattern for another 5 flat knots.
Take the two innermost cords from the left hand side and tie them in a flat knot with the two innermost
cords from the right side.
String a 4mm crystal bead onto the two centermost cords and tie a flat knot around them using the
cords adjacent to them.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
2
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
5
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
Tie a row of diagonal double half hitch knots starting with the outermost left side cord and ending after
the cord. Then tie a row of diagonal double half hitch knots starting from the right side and ending also
after Cord 6.
Tie another row of diagonal half hitch knots from the left side, then from the right side.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
2
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
6
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker
Micro-Macramé by Annika deGroot Aspen Choker
You are done tying knots! Crop the cords close and paint the outer edge of diagonal double half hitch
knots with clear fingernail polish. Let the nail polish dry and crop the cords as close as you can without
cutting into the knots. Now all you have left to do is sew a button onto the Button Bed.
Copyright 2009 Annika deGroot. These instructions are intended for the private use of individuals only and may not be
2
reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written permission of the author, Annika deGroot, who can
be contacted at [e-mail]. Teachers will be granted permission upon request as long as this written tutorial
7
is not altered in any way.
Micro-Macramé Aspen Choker