Quck answer
Macrame is a popular craft that involves tying knots to create decorative patterns. To make macrame, you will need a few basic supplies such as cord or rope, scissors, and a sturdy surface to work on.
1. Start by cutting your cord into equal-length pieces, depending on the size of your project.
2. Secure the cords to your working surface, using pins or tape, to create a base.
3. Begin tying knots using different techniques like square knots, half hitch knots, or spiral knots.
4. Repeat the knotting process, adding more cords as needed, until you achieve the desired length or pattern.
5. Finish off your macrame by securing the knots and trimming any excess cord.
6. You can add beads, charms, or other embellishments to personalize your macrame piece.
With practice and creativity, you can make beautiful macrame creations ranging from plant hangers to wall hangings.
Are you skilled at crafts? If you’ve been exploring with us for some time, you may have read about different crafts. Perhaps you’ve learned how to construct a ship in a bottle or make a friendship bracelet. Maybe you’ve even attempted kintsugi. Today’s Wonder of the Day is all about another popular craft—macramé!
What is macramé (pronounced “ma-kruh-may”)? It involves tying knots with cords to produce works of art. Have you ever seen any macramé examples? It’s a favored technique for creating plant hangers, wall hangings, and even curtains.
Macramé has a long history. Nobody knows for sure when the first macramé creation was made. However, most people today believe that the craft dates back to the ancient Babylonians and Assyrians. This is because of carvings that appear to depict macramé decorations made by these cultures.
Later on, macramé became a popular technique among Turkish weavers in the 13th century. Many believe that the craft spread throughout much of eastern Asia and northern Africa. The term macramé originated from either the Turkish word makrama (“napkin” or “towel”) or the Arabic word migramah (“fringe”).
Macramé soon gained popularity in Spain after the arrival of individuals from northern Africa. From there, the craft spread all over Europe. It became especially popular among sailors. As experts in knot-making, they quickly adopted macramé as a pastime during their time aboard ships. Thanks to these sailors, macramé spread to ports all around the world.
In the modern world, macramé was highly popular in the 1960s and 1970s as a way to create hand-woven crafts. Today, the practice is making a comeback. Do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts everywhere can create their own macramé decorations with just a few items.
How can you create macramé? Start by gathering the necessary supplies. You’ll need a cord, a support, and a pair of scissors. Macramé cords come in different sizes and materials—the one you require will depend on what you’re trying to create. The support is the item you’ll tie your knots to. This can take various forms as well. Common supports include dowel rods, branches, and solid hoops.
After gathering the supplies, it’s time to start creating! Many people choose to follow macramé patterns, especially when they’re beginners. These patterns are available online and at many craft stores. However, with some experience, you may be able to create your own patterns based on your preferred knots.
Common macramé knots include the lark’s head knot, reverse lark’s head knot, square knot, half knot, spiral stitch, and clove hitch. Newcomers to macramé can find instructions for creating each type of knot online. However, it’s important to understand a few terms before you begin.
In macramé, the working cord is the cord section used to create each knot. The filler cord is the cord that each knot wraps around. Lastly, a sennit is a knot or series of knots that are repeated.
Have you ever seen a stunning piece of macramé art? Are you ready to make your own? This could be the perfect DIY craft to do with your family—ask an adult to help you get started.
Give It a Try
Are you ready to continue learning? Test your skills with the following activities alongside a friend or family member.
- If you want to explore the history and techniques of macrame further, read this article and share an interesting fact with a friend or family member.
- Feeling prepared for your own macrame project? Take a look at this link for some ideas, choose one that seems enjoyable, and ask a friend or family member to assist you in creating it.
- Macrame can be a fantastic introduction to crafts. Maybe you already enjoy making jewelry with beads, practicing paper mache art, or creating collages with photographs. Write a paragraph about a craft that you find enjoyable or have heard about and share it with a friend or family member. Additionally, ask them about the types of crafts they enjoy.
Interesting Sources
- https://mymodernmet.com/modern-macrame-guide/ (accessed on August 2, 2021)
- https://www.britannica.com/art/macrame (accessed on August 2, 2021)
- https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/basic-macrame-knots-4176636 (accessed on August 2, 2021)
- https://learnersdictionary.com/ (accessed on August 2, 2021)
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