Before you start, practice the braid by making a miniature version of the mat with thinner rope. When you're ready to make the big mat, cover a large work surface with kraft paper.
Draw a cross on the paper; it should have a 33-inch vertical line and a 12 1/4-inch horizontal line. (This is the dimension of the mat when you get to step 4.) As you weave, use the cross as a guide and tape down loops to retain the mat's shape.
We used 1/2-inch-thick twisted nylon rope. About 165 feet makes a 33-by-20-inch mat.
Braided Doormat How-To
1. Starting at one end of rope, form a loose knot as shown; leave a 30-inch tail on right side and slack on left side. Gently pull down on loops.
2. Flip loops to left as shown. Lift the first loop and cross it over the second.
3. Using tail end, weave as shown.
4. Using slack end, weave diagonally toward bottom right. Pull rope through. Continue weaving back to top as shown, adjusting rope to resemble diagram.
5. Follow path of first round with slack end, staying parallel to previous round. Pull rope through after each pass, weaving until mat is formed.
6. Finish ends by using a needle to sew through the rope just below any frayed ends and tightly wrap thread around rope a couple of times. Sew through several more times to secure. Cut off end of rope just above thread. Singe frayed ends with a lighter to seal; sew to underside. Apply permanent craft glue to underside between ropes in spots to prevent shifting.
I found this site with very simple instructions and very detailed images. It was very useful!! scroll down to the Ocean Plait Mat and follow the instructions.
http://www.free-macrame-patterns.com/celtic-mat.html
Great! Thanks Char59... ..this is much better for me to understand..
Petal
I would have to say I agree with linandkatesmom on this.It would be easier for me if there was video, to see exactly what the steps are. It's hard for me to understand them from a drawing too.
petal
there's a brief video showing how to weave on this site:
http://www.marinews.com/bait-presentation/ocean-plait-mat/774/
a template is shown on this site:
http://www.igkt.net/beginners/ocean-plait.php
It would be easier for me if there was video, at least in the beginning to see exactly what the steps are. It's a bit hard to understand them from a drawing.
Thanks, Martha, and also many thanks to all the comments and further ideas for using braided rope!
Kudos to cookiesgalore for the information and name, "ocean-plait mat." I've always used the dogpile search engine and it came up with 3 pages of additional information. Searched dogpile IMAGES for ocean-plait mat. SO MANY USES for such a great looking braid!!
Thanks everyone!!!
I have made two of these. It can get VERY expensive depending on the rope you use. Plus it is challenging
to keep the braid going in the beginning. I tacked the entire rug together on the back as I did not want it to come apart when it got washed. It is beautiful. Not sure I will make any more.
Hi KJCM, I went to about.com as you suggested. But, I never could actually find the project. Would you be so kind as to give me a new place to look? I appreciate it.
I love this mat. I have 45 ft of Martha Stewart's new novellty yarn, "MAMBO". I'm going to try making a smaller version and using it for a trivet (hot pad). It will make a lovely piece in my dining room along with my of Zebra rug and mudcloths and kilims.
i wonder if it could be a rag rug too, good idea martha
Go to about.com and do a search for ocean plait rug, and it gives step by step instructions......
Thanks cookiesgalore! This mat would also look very good in a bathroom.
Thank you Cookiesgalore! I am thinking you could use marcrame cord too!
OOPS! as usual, the m.stewart website didn't or won't show my entire comment. So here's what you do: Just google "ocean-plait mat" on the "google images" and this design will come up. Click on the 2nd design, and on the webpage it takes you to, scroll down to the ocean-plait mat and there will be a link for the video. good luck :-)
I FOUND A VIDEO ON IT!! It's called an 'ocean-plait mat' and here's 2 links for it, good luck :-)
http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2
I FOUND A VIDEO ON IT!! It's called an 'ocean-plait mat' and here's 2 links for it, good luck :-)
http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2
Me either! I think a video would have been far more helpful.
Help I don't understand how this can work.