Macrame Basics
Article by KarensVariety.com

Macrame was very popular in the 1960s and 1970s and has now become popular again. It is often described as Decorative Knotting. Different items are made using a variety of knots made from lengths of cord which can be made of jute, hemp, cotton, leather or synthetic blends.

The most common items made from macrame are plant hangers and wall hangings. However, jewelry and home furnishings can also be made.
 

* Plant hangers, single or tiered * Wall hangings * Lawn Chairs * Hammock * Curtains * Hanging tables * Handbags * Necklaces * Belts * Bracelets * Clothing

If you are making a hanging object, you begin with a ring. If you are making a wide object such as wall hanging or curtain, you need a metal or wooden rod, often a long piece of dowel. Since you are making knots, you need long lengths of cord. You will need to hang your ring or piece of dowel at a level high enough to enable you to work on your knots.

For smaller projects, you can use a push pin board, or knotting board. You lay your cord on the board and use push pins to hold the cords in place as you work.

The project you choose can be very elaborate and complicated using many different knots, or it can be simple requiring a few knots. It can be plain or you can intertwine wooden or glass beads throughout.

When you choose your cord, you must consider the requirements of what you are making. If you are making clothing you require a cord that is flexible and has some give. If you are making furniture, your major requirement of your cord is strength. Jute is very strong but comes in shades of brown. Nylon cord is also very strong. Consider also the feel of the cord. If you are making clothing or even lawn chairs, you may find the cord rough to the skin.

Cord can be braided or twisted. Braided tends to be less likely to unravel. Before you begin, prepare the ends of the cords you are using. A drop of glue or liquid sew will keep it from unravelling.

Before beginning you need to have an idea of how long your cords must be. Unfortunately, there is no real formula for determining the length of cord required. This will depend on how thick or thin the cord you are using is, what type of knots you will be using, and how many opens spaces are in your project. Often, when you begin you fold your cord in half. Certainly, it is better to have too much than too little cord. Cord is sold in different size balls so you will want to consider how much cord is on the ball when you buy.

* Consider at least four times the length of the project for your cord length. If it is folded in half, then use at least eight times the length.
* The more closed spaces you have in your project, the longer your cord must be.
* More cord is required to make knots with heavier cord than with thinner cord.
* Outer cords tend to be used faster than cords in the middle.
* Different knots require different lengths of cord.

There are basic knots from which more complicated knots are made. Once you have the basic knots mastered, you can try more complicated knots.

Browse a selection of Macrame books.