What Is Macramé?
Whether it was a fresh enthusiasm for crafts rekindled in lockdown or a more general move of the zeitgeist towards natural materials and the homemade, macramé is having a major moment. But what, exactly, is it?
Macramé itself is a crafting technique that uses knots to create decorative textiles. And knotting is at the heart of this art; a piece made by the macramé method must involve a special type of knot (usually the ‘square knot’) from which the item can then work outwards. Whether you use the original as a start and finish point, or you add more knots for design or practicality is entirely up to the individual macramé maestro.
The great news is that there is no fancy kit necessary, and nor do you need to notch up hours of training, either. Simply armed with your material of choice (think string, twine, leather or chunky wool), scissors and a holding hoop to keep your work-in-progress in place, you can start making all sorts of fun creations using just your hands. Thrifty craft is the best kind of craft.
Get The Look: Trending Macramé Pieces For Sale
Macramé adds a retro flavour of the 1970s to your home. But, if you are thinking of investing in some ready-made macramé for a textural interior vibe, you should know that the art form has much deeper roots than that; in fact, it actually reached a peak of popularity in the Victorian era. And yet even the Victorians were late to the macramé party, having been first documented in carvings by the Babylonians and Assyrians. This is no flash-in-the-pan trend, then.
These days, macramé tends to speak of a bohemian sensibility, its versatility allowing it to be used to create anything from wall hangings to macramé plant hangers to small macramé projects. These are the pieces we love the look of right now.
Macramé Cushion Cover, £24.99
H&M
Macramé home decor pieces often include tassels or fringing, but we love that this cushion cover concentrates solely on the detailed pattern.
Shop it here. .
Small Macramé Table Runner, £36,51
Etsy
Macramé lends itself particularly well to things like wall hangings, cushions and plant pot holders – all of which we love. But a table runner, like this exquisite one from Etsy, feels unique. We have to have it, now.
Shop it here..
Milano Lampshade Ceiling Light, £189
The Knotted Touch
This boho-style pendant lampshade is designed for ceiling lights and has been hand-crafted in Surrey. We love the muted mustard tone of the bottom half of this piece, which gives it a little something extra.
Shop it here..
How To Make Macramé Yourself (Including Three Basic Macramé Knots)
A lot of newly taken up hobbies are, alas, destined to be ditched relatively quickly, usually due to requiring excessive kit or having to invest too much time and money into training. Not so with macramé projects. Newbies must simply master basic macramé knots, making this is the perfect craft for beginners. Even if you haven't tried it before, you should be able to get the hang of it within the space of a few minutes. Not convinced yet? Let us prove it.
Half Square Knot
Exactly as it sounds, the half square knot is one half of the square knot with which macramé is synonymous. It is the foundation of the art of macramé. Wool and The Gang explains the technique clearly in this two-minute instructional video. See, told you it was quick.
Square Knot
The square knot is a continuation of the half knot. Work the first part of the knot just like a half knot and then finish the square by working another half knot using the opposite cords. But don’t take our word for it. Instead, watch Wool And The Gang’s 1.37-minute video to observe the method step-by-step.
Lark’s Head Knot
Also referred to as a cow’s hitch knot, in macramé it is used to attach a thread to something. Most of us will recognise the technique as one used to secure a necklace pendant on, say, a leather cord. But, as well as being practical, the lark’s head knot can also be decorative when used in a row. They are not too tricky and are very secure; in other words, ideal for beginners. Watch Wool and The Gang demonstrate in this three-minute video.
Macramé Kits For Beginners
Although you can cobble together the essentials quite easily, sometimes it’s useful to have all the tools you need to become a macramé master in one place – which is where a macramé kit comes in. An excellent selection of ropes, kits, macramé patterns and supplies can be found on Ellame Designs website, including the Ultimate Macrame for Beginners starter kit. You can also buy a whole host of ropes in various colours, as well as hooks, beads, and macramé kits for the likes of plant hangers and wall-hanging kits. Check out the website here.
DIY Macramé Plant Hanger
Have you ever wondered how to make a macramé plant hanger, as seen in, say, your favourite uber-trendy brunch spot? The project is made all the easier with a DIY beginners macrame plant hanger kit, which is available in a variety of colours. Choose from off-white, tropical blue, and black to create a stylish new home for your plant. Using simple macramé techniques, it should take no longer than an hour and a half to complete. Easy and satisfying.
Easy Macrame Wall Hanging
Macramé is, at its core, a decorative art. It stands to reason that not everything you create needs to be strictly functional; for example, we love a wall hanging just for the fun of it. If you’re in the market to make an easy macramé wall hanging, this arrow wall hanging kit contains everything you need, and is available in off-white, tropical blue, and black. This kit should take you no more than an hour and a half to complete. Et voila: a macramé hanging minus any fuss.
By Nancy Alsop
February 2022
