Macrame

By User:Henna (Own work) [CC BY-SA 1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Welcome to the Macrame Lovers blog! Macrame is the art of tying knots. It is an ancient art form that dates back to the thirteenth century, and is thought to have originated from Arab weavers. Later this craft spread to Spain and eventually all of Europe. Sailors used their long stretches at sea to create elaborate artwork to be sold or bartered on land. This helped the art of macrame spread to far-away places such as China and the New World.

In Victorian times, macrame was extremely popular as a lacework, and was used for adornments on everything from sleeves to underclothing, curtains and jewelry.  During the 1970’s it made another comeback, taking the form of jute plant hangers and macrame owl wall hangers.

Macrame has become popular once again, and today is seen in the form of macrame jewelry, clothing and accessories. Beginners and seasoned pros alike will find this blog to be a great source of knowledge and inspiration for patterns and new ideas. If you are just learning how to macrame or you’ve been at it for years, you will find lots of great information. This blog is dedicated to all things macrame. Thanks for stopping by, and happy knotting!

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Holidays are just around the corner…are you interested in creating some great Christmas decorations from macrame, or are you thinking of making gifts for others? Well actually, this pattern doubles as both!  The macrame Christmas Tree Pattern is wonderful to decorate your home, and it makes a great gift too. The finished size of the piece is going to be about 31 inches long, so choose a nice spot on the wall to hang this beauty!

Macrame Christmas Tree Pattern

Materials Needed:

  • 41 yds. 7-ply 8mm jute
  • 30, 20mm round red wood beads
  • 1 dowel rod, 1 1/2″ diameter X 17″ long
  • 1 good sized  ribbon bow and decoration (think red velvet)
  • 1,1%” ring

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Cut 14 cords, 2 1/2 yds. each.
2. Cut 2 cords 3 yds. each.
3. Mount 2 of the 2’/2-yd. cords on the I 1/2″ ring with Lark’s Head knots
4. Skip down to 17 inches and mount cords near ends of dowel with Double Half Hitch knots.
5. Fold each of the two 3-yd. cords in half and mount one on each of the outside cords of steps 1 and 2, with Lark’s Heads, close to the top. Double Half Hitch these mounted cords to the inside cords of steps 1 and 2.
6. Slide one bead on the 2 center cords nearest the top and, with the middle 4 cords, tie one Square Knot right below the bead.
7. Mount two 2 1/2 yd. cords, one on each outside cord, with Lark’s Heads, about one inch from previous Lark’s Head (step 3), and Double Half Hitch these to the inside cords as you did in step 3.
8. Divide cords into 2 groups, 4 cords in each group. The 2 center cords of each group are filler cords. Slide one bead up the 2 filler cords of each group and tie one Square Knot below each bead.
9. Mount 2 more cords on the outside side-cords, as before, and Double Half Hitch these to the inside side-cords (as before).
10. Divide cords into 3 groups, 4 cords in each group, and with 3 beads, repeat as in step 6.
11. Add 2 more cords as in step 7.
12. Divide cords into 4 groups, 4 cords to each group, and with 4 beads, repeat as in step 6.
13. Drop down about 1 xh inches and tie one row of 4 Square Knots.
14. Add 2 more cords as in step 7. Divide cords into 5 groups of 4 cords each and, with 5 beads, repeat as in step 6.
15. Add 2 more cords as in step 7; divide cords into 6 groups and repeat as in step 6. Repeat this step one more time, using 7 beads the last time.
16. Double Half Hitch all cords to the dowel rod, and place one bead on each end of dowel rod.
17. Gather all cords together with a ribbon bow about 4 inches below the dowel rod. Insert decoration in bow, if desired.

Hang it up where everyone can enjoy it!

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macrame pilgrim

Macrame Pilgrim pattern from www.free-macrame-patterns.com

I wanted to share with you this fun little Thanksgiving pattern for a wall hanging pilgrim to decorate your home this Thanksgiving season.  This fun project is available at Free Macrame Patterns

From their website:

The Thanksgiving Pilgrim is an interesting holiday decoration that is meant to hang on a wall.

“This Macrame Pattern features a tall top hat that is decorated with a band and buckle, and a unique collar that rests below the full beard. You can make the beard with a variety of materials, including yarn.

The finished height is 20 inches”. Visit the link above to get the full instructions and supplies list.If you need to order some macrame supplies visit Acajou on Etsy at the highlighted link.

Hope you enjoy!

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Welcome to October Macrame Lovers! I have searched the web high and low for you to come up with some Halloween inspired macrame crafts. This was not an easy task! Here’s the roundup:

Halloween Macrame Jewelry

Macrame Halloween jewelry from "This Year's Dozen"

Macrame Halloween Necklace

Macrame Halloween Necklace from "This Year's Dozen"

Both of the above can be found at This Year’s Dozen

macrrame spider

macrame spider from Etsy

This friendly little creature is a handmade one of a kind black macrame spider from Etsy artist KnotartWA. Sorry it’s sold!

And of course, we could not forget this very creative piece, a mask designed to accommodate glasses. I would love to know what the rest of the costume looked like! As always, I would love to see your macrame Halloween projects!

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macrame knot

This is an example of a double half hitch knot

The Half Hitch Knot is a single wrap of one strand around another strand.  Bring the end of the cord between the working and the anchor strands.

1. Wrap macrame cord around a knitting needle.

2. Cross the short end under the longer length of the cord.

3. Bring the short end of macrame cord over and down through the hole between where the cord crosses and the needle.

4. Push the knot to the needle and pull macrame cord to tighten!

This macrame knot is easy but you will find yourself using quite frequently, so definitely one that you want to take the time to learn to do it evenly.

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macrame belt using cotton cord

Cotton fibers are shorter than jute, hemp, or linen and need more of a twist to get them to stay together so that they form a strand.  You can buy cotton cording in most fabric and sewing stores where you live as well as from weaving suppliers.  Single ply cotton is often used for Macrame projects that you’re going to wear, such as a belt.  Cotton cording comes in a wide variety of sizes and is used in many Macrame projects. You can order cotton cord from most of these online macrame supplies stores.

An important consideration when choosing the type of cord for your project is how will the finished item be used? Will it be outside, like a plant hanger? You’d want something fade-proof. Are you making a hammock? You’ll want cord that is soft to the touch. Does it need to hold its shape? Just a few tips for consideration.

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This key chain is another beginner macrame project that will allow you to become more familiar and comfortable with the process of Macrame. This one is great for kids too. If you don’t know how to macrame, this one will be a great first project to try. You can also find other great macrame patterns for beginners if you want to check out more patterns.

Materials:

1.      6 yards of 1mm hemp (choose something colorful)

2.    3 beads

3.    1 key ring

4.    masking tape & project board

Directions:

1.      Cut the 6 yards of hemp into two equal halves, 3 yards each.

2.    Fold each cord in half and use a Half Hitch to secure them to the metal key ring by placing the folded end of the cord down through the key ring and pulling the ends of the cord down through the folded end of the loop.

3.    The key ring will now have two cords attached so that you have 4 working cords.

4.    Secure the key ring to your Macrame board.

5.     Make 4 Square Knots.

6.    Pull the first  bead onto the 2 middle cords.

7.     Place a Square Knot directly below the bead.

8.    Add another bead, creating another Square Knot directly below the bead.

9.    Repeat one more time.

10.   Make 3 more Square Knots under the last bead.

11.  Tie the 4 cords into one large knot.

12.   Trim the knot.

Add your keys and you are ready! For another fun and easy macrame pattern, try the sunflower necklace.

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Just a quick macrame plant hanger pattern for you this lovely fall day. Enjoy!

Materials:

  • 44 yards of either 4mm or 6mm Bonnie Braid Cord
  • One 2″ brass ring
  • Four 22 x 32mm oval wood beads
  • Sixteen 16mm round wood beads

Instructions:

1. Cut 8 cords at 5 yards each, and two cords at 1 yard each.

2. Center the eight 5 yard cords through the 2″ ring. Using one of the 1 yard cords, tie a wrap knot around all cords directly under the ring.

3. Divide the long cords into four groups of four cords each. With each group:

Tie 9″ of Half Square Knots, put all four cords through a 22 x 32mm bead, and using the longest cords for tying, tie another 9″ of Square Knots.

4.  Drop down approximately 5″ and tie on row of Alternating Square Knots. (This joins all 4 sinnets). Drop down 3″ and tie another row of alternating Square Knots. Drop down approximately 3″ and using the last one yard cord, tie a wrap knot around the cords.

5.   Put a 16mm wood bead on each cord end at desired length; tie an overhand knot to secure under each bead. Cut, seal ends with lighter.

6. Mount the plant hanger to a ceiling hook, add a plant and you’re done!

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Macrame’s history is as colorfully rich as the cords and beads it uses. Elevated to an art form, macrame essentially creates numerous possibilities in a project. The finished pieces may be seen as works of art because of the complexity of techniques as well as the wellspring creativity that goes into making them.

TRIVIA: Just what is the origin of Macrame? Macrame is an Arabic word that means fringe and is derived from the early practice of knotting a fringe to a solid fabric in a continuation of knotted patterns.

Eventually, entire pieces of knotted fabrics were created with a texture that was perfect for altar cloths, church vestments, and doilies.

The early history of Macrame is a bit vague.  There is some documentation, which indicates that Macrame was done in France and Italy in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.  France has produced a large amount of Macrame, and historical data shows that it was considered to be an established art.

Macrame was then quite popular in the nineteenth century among British and North American sailors, who spent their long hours aboard ships tying square knots and hitch knots.  Sailors made fringes for wheel and bell covers, as well as netting and screens.  Many of these knotted articles were then used for barter in India and China.

TRIVIA: If you want to see some fine examples of sailor’s Macrame, visit the Seamen’s Church Institute in the city of New York. There you will a collection of the finest pieces these men of the sea have created with their masculine hands.

Macrame is thought to have been introduced to Great Britain in the late 1600’s by Queen Mary, who herself learned the craft in Holland.  During the 1780’s Queen Charlotte, wife to George III, was busy knotting Macrame fringes for court adornments.

Macrame continued to make itself known around the world and many cultures already had some form of knot tying in place that they used for their native art.

Korean maedeup master Kim Hee-jin, 74

TRIVIA: The art of knot tying in Korea is called maedeup. In China, they have traditional decorative knots, which is called in Pinyin as Zhōngguó jié. In Japan, there are many types of crafts, such as Kumihimo and Hanamusubi, which tends to focus on individual knots.

 

 

 

 

Through the early twentieth century, many functional objects were the focus of Macrame, such as purses, belts, leashes, lanyards, light and shade pulls, and bell pulls.  At the same time, in Portugal, Ecuador, and Mexico, local artists continued to produce shawls and purses as a native craft.

In North America, through the 1960’s and 1970’s, Macrame became a popular craft among the hippie generation and the children of the ‘70s.  In the 1980’s interest in Macrame dwindled, and soon, faded from memory.  Not so today, as Macrame is making a huge comeback among people of all ages.

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As you become more experienced in the art of Macrame you’ll want to focus even more on keeping your work even and uniform.  You’ll want the tension to be even and your line of knots to be straight horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.  You’ll be looking for edges that are firm and loops that are even.

The easiest and most reliable way to achieve this perfection is by using the Macrame board, or other anchoring methods, to secure your work while you’re working.  The Macrame board will help you keep the size of your knots even and the pattern of your project uniform.

A great way to develop the skill of tying uniform knots is to practice. I recommend saving leftover bits of cording that you can later use to practice tying knots on. As you practice, your knots will become more uniform and even with time. This really is the secret to great macrame.

Get into the habit of securing your work before you tie that first knot.  You’ll soon find that your Macrame projects look even  with knots that align and are the same size. And that makes for better looking macrame!

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Macrame Artist of the Month: Sherri Stokey

July 16, 2011

Sherri Stokey is one of my favorite macrame artists on Etsy. Her work features delicate and super feminine micro macrame. Sherri often takes her inspiration from nature and vintage clothing. She provides deliciously vivid background on the inspiration behind many of her pieces, for example: “Undulating waves of seed beads in wonderfully beachy colors including […]

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