If you are a beginner like I was, then read these seven qualities that you should consider when choosing your macrame cord.
1. Composition – The material from which the macrame cord was made is very important. Fibers, such as hemp and jute, used to be very popular with macrame artists.
However, their availability in the market influenced the rise in popularity of macrame cords made from nylon and satin rayon, which are man-made fibers. I suggest as a beginner, you should use nylon because they are easy to unravel in case you make a mistake in knotting.
2. Strength – The strength of a macrame cord depends largely on its composition. A cord made from jute, leather, ribbon and nylon is quite strong.
3. Twist – The strength of the cord is determined by whether the individual strands of the material were twisted or braided in the manufacturing process. A braided macrame cord unravels less easily than a twisted cord.
Before beginning a macrame project always treat the ends of a cord to prevent the stands from separating. You can dip the ends in melted clear wax.
If you want to create a fringe, make sure the strands do not unravel further than the fringe’s length by knotting the top of the fringe.
4. Stiffness – A cord should be flexible enough to bend and curve according to the pattern’s requirements. If you are making a bracelet or necklace, a thinner macrame cord is recommended. For example, an embroidery cord made of cotton is soft and very flexible. You can also use leather, but make sure it is less than 2 mm in width.
5. Texture –There are macrame cords that feel rough and may be irritating to the skin. Hemp and metallic cords are not recommended for making necklaces and bracelets. Nylon, silk, satin rayon and cotton were the suggested materials to use. You can also use leather because it softens after a period of use.
6. Diameter or Width – The thickness of the macrame cord is usually indicated in millimeters (mm). When buying a cord, keep in mind the question of whether they can be inserted into beads, buttons or other decorations.
Cords that are more than 4.0 mm in diameter may need larger decorations. A good-sized cord for making micro-macrame projects, such as bracelets and necklaces, should have less than 2.0 mm diameter.
7. Amount or Quantity – The amount of the cord refers to the length of cord needed for the entire project. Some cords come in large rolls, while others come in shorter lengths.
Most people use nylon and leather cords because they have most of the best qualities macrame artists look for. I personally prefer these two types of cords because they are also accessible in the market.
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