Macrame is the attractive artwork of hand-tied knots and loops that create a woven textile. Whereas it could look intricate, getting began with macrame is definitely fairly straightforward and when you be taught just a few fundamental knots, there are lots of of tasks you can also make.
With macrame you possibly can create usable gadgets like purses, plant hangers, or straps, or tasks which are purely for decor like wall hangings, jewellery, or desk runners. You’ll be able to even make your individual Christmas stocking!
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What’s macrame?
Macrame is a crafting method the place you create a texture by way of making a sequence of knots and loops with both rope, yarn, string, or cords. The highest of your undertaking is secured onto both a mounting ring or tied to a stick or dowel after which the sample is created by way of handmade knots.
Typically the passion of macrame is mixed with different crafting mediums like weaving or knitting, however pure macrame is when the complete piece is made from knots made by hand.
What’s the historical past of macrame?
Macrame could return so far as the traditional Persians and Babylonians who used macrame-like knotting in artifacts in centuries BC.
The extra fashionable macrame was dropped at the west from extra Arabic international locations who primarily used the knots within the thirteenth century to tie ends in gadgets like rugs, shawls, or different gadgets that had fringe. By the seventeenth century, girls in ready for Queen Mary II used the method because the pastime unfold by way of England.
Sailors began to make use of the macrame knots to cross the time on ships and would even commerce made gadgets like belts or hammocks as soon as they acquired to shore, which additionally helped the craft unfold by way of Europe. Macrame remained widespread by way of the seventeenth and 18th centuries till the Industrial Revolution introduced in regards to the stitching machine after which the method fell out of favor till the Sixties and ’70s introduced the craft again to recognition as a part of the handmade motion.
The phrase “macrame” both comes from the Arabic phrase “migramah,” that means decorative fringe or it could additionally come from the Turkish phrase “makrama,” which refers to a towel or serviette.
Is macrame straightforward or onerous to be taught?
Excellent news! Whereas it could look sophisticated, macrame is definitely very straightforward to be taught and it’s similar to making friendship bracelets when you keep in mind doing these as a child.
There are just a few fundamental knots that we’ll train you, and when you get these down you’ll have the ability to make virtually any macrame undertaking you need!
How lengthy does it take to finish a macrame undertaking?
The time wanted to finish a macrame undertaking will fluctuate drastically relying in your degree of talent (your first macrame undertaking will take extra time and specialists will knot a lot sooner), materials, measurement, and complexity of your undertaking.
Whereas smaller/easier tasks can undoubtedly be accomplished in a brief afternoon, chances are you’ll want a number of hours unfold over just a few days for bigger wall hangings.
What sort of wire do you employ for macrame?
There are a number of forms of macrame wire that you should use on your macrame undertaking.
- Rope: The twisted strands of cotton wire rope give macrame tasks sturdiness and also you’ll get an outlined thick knot that’s unlikely to unravel. The most typical sorts are twisted three-ply and braided six-ply ropes for macrame and twine is available in a big number of thickness for bigger tasks as nicely.
- String: A string is a a lot finer twisted strand in comparison with rope so that you get a smaller and softer look than with rope. Your knots will even be a lot smaller so it may be higher for finer, extra delicate tasks.
- Yarn: Whereas yarn is usually used for knitting, you may as well use it for macrame. Wool, acrylic, and hemp are frequent bases for yarn and this feature gives the largest colour vary.
- Waxed wire: A waxed wire is smaller in diameter than a rope and it’s coated in beeswax to make the wire extra waterproof. The wax additionally strengthens the wire so it makes for robust knots as nicely.
How a lot macrame wire do you want for a undertaking?
When measuring out how a lot wire you want on your macrame undertaking, you’ll need to decide the approximate size of your completed undertaking and minimize your cords 4 instances that size.
If the wire must be folded in half for the undertaking, then you definately need to minimize the wire 8 instances the completed size.
What provides do you want for macrame?
To make your macrame undertaking, you’ll need the next gadgets:
- Macrame wire
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- A stick/rod or a mounting ring (a steel hoop) to hold your undertaking on
- Picket beads or different beads for adornment (optionally available)
TIP: Earlier than you narrow your wire when working with yarn or rope, use masking tape and wrap it across the yarn or rope. It will hold the finish of the wire from unraveling when you work.
5 Fundamental Macrame Knots
Whereas there are greater than 5 knots you should use in macrame, when you apply these 5 easy knots, there are such a lot of tasks you’ll have the ability to deal with straight away.
1. Lark’s Head (aka Cow Hitch Knot)
A Lark’s Head knot is really easy! Fold your string in half and place the midway loop behind your hanging rod.
Slip your two string tails by way of the highest loop and pull.
2. Sq. Knot
Tie two Lark’s Heads knots aspect by aspect in your rod. This knot makes use of solely the strands on the outer left and proper edges and the center two strands keep put.
Take the strand all the best way on the left and cross it over the center two strands however then behind the strand all the best way on the proper. It would seem like a quantity “4.”
Subsequent, take the proper strand, holding it over the strand that got here from the left, and go behind the center two strands popping out the place the opening within the “4” was created within the earlier step. Pull that knot tight to the highest.
Now you’ll repeat the method backwards by taking the proper strand and making a backwards “4” that goes over the center two strands and underneath the strand on the left.
Take the strand on the left, holding it over the strand that simply got here from the proper, go behind the center strands and are available out once more the place the opening within the backwards “4” was created.
Pull strands tight and also you’ll see a sq. knot!
3. Spiral Knot
The spiral knot is mainly the identical because the sq. knot besides that you simply hold making your “4” form in a single path so it creates a spiral form.
Tie two Lark’s Heads knots aspect by aspect in your rod and proceed to make your first knot like your would with a sq. knot.
Quite than reverse the path to finish a sq. knot, hold making the identical knot time and again, pulling every knot tight to the highest.
As you make extra knots, you’ll see the spiral sample begin to emerge.
4. Berry Knot
Begin by making a sq. knot however while you tie your knot on the prime, depart somewhat room above the knot so you possibly can flip your tails by way of that gap later.
Make two extra sq. knots so you’ve three sq. knots in a row.
Take the tails of your cords and push all of them by way of the small gap within the center you left above your first sq. knot.
Pull the cords throughout and also you’ll see that your sq. knots have created a ball-like berry form.
5. Double Half-Hitch Knot (DHH)
This knot is usually used to create strains in your work and also you’ll need to begin with not less than 4 Lark’s Head knots aspect by aspect. The outermost left wire will probably be your working wire and the subsequent three cords in line will probably be your holding cords.
Use your left wire to loop across the first holding wire in order that the loop is dealing with down and the tie of the loop is dealing with up.
Tighten the loop to the highest.
Repeat the motion so you’ve two loops tied on the prime of the wire.
Take your working wire and begin to tie loops on the second holding wire in line and tie two loops on the prime of that wire.
Repeat once more tying two loops along with your working wire onto the third holding wire after which let your working wire hold (it ought to now be the fourth wire in close to the center of your undertaking).
Now you simply repeat the method backwards on the opposite aspect through the use of the outermost wire in your proper aspect as your working wire and tying two loops on every of the subsequent three hanging cords.
Now it is best to have each your working cords in the course of your work.
Now you’ll tie one final Double Half-Hitch Knot through the use of your left working wire to tie a loop round what was your proper working wire.
Keep away from these frequent macrame errors:
- Chopping wire too brief: Quite than simply eyeballing your wire, ensure you are measuring that you’ve got not less than 4 instances the complete size of your completed undertaking to make sure you gained’t run out! There’s nothing worse than not being carried out along with your piece and all of the sudden you run out of wire.
- Pulling knots too tight: It’s a really comparable factor with friendship bracelets, that if you’re pulling your knots too tight, then your knots will look deformed and your undertaking will begin to twist and curl. Pull your knots simply comfortable sufficient with out over tightening and attempt to hold all of the knots the tied on the identical tightness. As you begin your tasks, you’ll know in case your knots are too tight in case your undertaking curls and also you’ll need to begin over not pulling your knots so onerous.
- Not training/giving up: Like all new abilities, it takes time to really feel extra assured and tackle tougher and larger tasks, so hold training and don’t hand over as you get the hold of it!
