How to Knot a Butterfly by Macrame

Body and wings are made with the macrame square knot technique, which is also called 'cobra knot' or 'Solomon's knot'; and the head is a 2 strand diamond knot. It is based on the butterfly in JD Lenzen's book: Paracord Critters: Animal Shaped Knots and Ties ( http://smile.amazon.com/Paracord-Critters-Animal-Shaped-Knots/dp/0985557893/ (( I wasn't patient enough waiting for the postman rowing over the ocean with my book in his backpack, lol. I loved the butterfly so much, so I started to experiment. I thought it was knotted like the dragonfly, so I started upside down, and made another lovely butterfly :-D ))

lighter, spike, scissors, tape measure, and 90 cm paracord (Arctic Camo if you want the same). The spike also can be something pointy like an awl, a big nail, a knitting needle, ... it makes tightening the head and pulling the wings more easy.

The loop under is the middle of the rope, 2 loops start the first half macrame square knot. Tighten so, that the loop under is 7 cm.

Add 2 more half square knots (remember to change direction to have non twisting square knots)

Make the next 2 half square knots at the bottom of the loop.

Push that last made square knot up, and wham, you suddenly made wings :-) Dress up till your wings are about 3 cm: loosen last 2 half knots, push some cord in to have a larger wing, and/or pull some out to have a shorter wing.

Insert both ends through the loop under, each from a different side

Pull out the tiny starting loops evenly, until the bottom loop has disappeared, morphed into 2 wings at the other side.

Make a 2 strand diamond knot for the head

Cut and singe the ends as antennas.

Admire what you've made, or pick up the cord spaghetti and try again; and, of course, you can ask me questions about it too ;-)

you'll only need one 2 cm wide strap of a cotton jersey T-shirt, 70 cm after stretch-curling (remember to cut parallel to the hem band (the bottom seem), and don't use ribbed jersey fabric; or the magical curling by stretching won't work ;-)

so with 70 cm T-yarn: 4.5 cm loop under _ 2 top loops to start _ 3 half square knots under top loops _ 2 half square knots at bottom of loop _ push up _ ends through loop from opposite sides _ pull up tiny top loops _ 2 strand diamond knot as head _ a overhand knot in each antenna _ cut off rather short.