A short
history of macrame. The modern art of decorative macrame knots is believed to
have originated with Arabian weavers some time in the 13th century. Arabian
weavers would knot the excess threads at the edge of hand-loomed fabrics into
decorative knots.
Macrame is a
very versatile craft. It has been used in the making of many kinds of jewelry
including necklace, bracelets and chokers. It is also used to make common every
day items such as hammocks, plant hangers and curtains.
So let's
make some macrame knots.
How to
make a basic half knot.
A half knot
is one of the most basic macrame knots there is. It forms the basis of some of
the more advanced knots and patterns that are created with macrame. To make a
half knot you need three elements. A center cord that stays stationary and two
outer knotting cords.
Tip - Half
knot tying is much easier if the center string is taught and secure.
Now to make
our half knot take one of the knotting cords go over the center string and
under the opposite knotting cord. Next take the second knotting cord and go
under the center string and over the first knotting cord. Now pull tight. You
have finished a macrame half knot.
Now that is
a technical description of how a half knot is tied but how does a professional
do it? When you are doing it professionally the key is speed.
Step 1. Take
the right hand knotting cord in your right hand lay it across the center
string. This creates a loop on the right hand side.
Step 2. Take
the left hand knotting cord in your left hand and lay it across the right hand
cord.
Step 3.
After laying the left hand knotting cord over the right hand knotting cord bend
it under. As you are bending it under push your right hand index finger and
thumb through the right hand loop grab the left hand knotting cord with your
index finger and thumb and pull it through the loop.
Step 4. Pull
tight. If your center string is tight as I suggested earlier you can pull the
knot tight quick and it will be snug and secure. If your center string is not
tight then you will need to work the knot into place. Done right each knot
should only take a couple seconds to tie.
Now that you
know how to tie a half knot you are ready to make a square knot. Since a square
knot is simply two half knots tied opposite to each other. So first we will make
a half knot as we did before. However for the second half of the square knot we
will start with the second knotting cord instead of the first knotting cord. So
take the second knotting cord and go over the center string and under the
opposite knotting cord. Next take the first knotting cord and go under the
center string and over the second knotting cord. Pull tight. You have just
finished a square knot.
Learn how to macrame for beginners, if you've been wanting to learn how to macrame then you've come to the right place.
For people who would like to learn how to macrame, there are many places available. Creating intricate knots which create complete patterns which can further be transformed into beautiful bracelets, flower pots and decorative wall hangings is what macrame is centered on as an art. The first and least complicated phase in trying to learn how to macrame, if you're interested in this topic, is understanding the basic knots and a few diagrams.
The world wide web is a good place to begin looking for ways to learn how to macrame. Visual aids are of immense assistance and will make learning how to macrame hassle-free.
For lots of folks it is a lot easier to follow diagrams instead of written directions that can be very difficult to understand. And when you have familiarized yourself with the visual aids, it is time to obtain the supplies to start the process of macrame.
Checking out a diagram, regardless of how well thorough and explained it is, will not offer much help for you to be able to macrame properly. It's necessary to have thread to basically be able to macrame efficiently. Like with any acquired art, trying to learn how to macrame also involves practice. Get some clear, training representations of simple diagrams to procure started. You'll find the simpler ones to be less complicated than the intricacies of the sophisticated ones.
You'll be able to progress in to them with plenty of time and exercise.
Aside from the fundamental knot patterns, you will also need to be able to focus and practice for a little bit before you are able to memorize the actions and make balanced knots. This will not be learned if you're in a hurry, you have to take things step by step in order to learn how to macrame. Once you've perfected the fundamental knot designs, then proceed to line them up to create simple works such as bracelets. Aside from the knots, you also need to have an eye to match the best colorings to bring out the knot works.
Bracelets are excellent for beginners as the simplest knots are required without the high degree of complexity.
When you feel more confident with your ability, you can tackle very sophisticated patterns. The greatest positive concerning complex and very complicated designs is that they can be exclusively shaped to produce ornamental items that appear very extraordinary.
To determine a period of time that will take to learn how to macrame will depend on numerous factors like how quickly you can learn the technique. Should you have been knitting or sewing for a long time the degree of complexity should be significantly less since there are some similarities with the method.
Button Square Knot: Start out out with three square knots and then continue to thread filler cords from the working end back via the middle of the filler cords prior to the first. Tie a square knot below the base of the button to complete it.
Decorative Knot: Utilized whilst creating jewelry or for particular knots like Celtic and Chinese. These two methods go perfectly with handcrafted jewelry and precious gems, such as semi-precious stones, pearls or crystals. These macrame knots tend to be complex and may possibly take a bit of time to master.
Double-hitch Knot: This macrame knot is made by creating two half-hitch knots one after an additional. Pull the knots tightly.
Half-hitch Knot: Position one cord across your work area (pin down so the cord doesn't move). The end of the cord that was carried over the unmoving cord is now brought under the stationary cord and pulled over the loop that was originally formed.
Half Knot: 1 of the most standard macrame knots to produce. A fifty percent knot is a standard knot, starting with four strings. Put it by way of the loop formed by the core cord and your proper hand cord. Pull through to secure the knot.
Overhand Knot: One of the most frequently employed knots in macrame. Begin by creating a loop with your cord. Pull the knot tightly.
Square Knots: Build off of the fifty percent knot to produce the square knot. Take your right hand side cord behind the two core cords and bring it above the left hand cord. Take the left hand cord and place it through the right hand loop by going over the core cords and pull through.
Discover the Knots
Making basic macrame plant hangers can entail using as few as three to four knots. The most prevalent knots are the larks head, spiral stitch, square knot and wrapped knot. Practice the knots with 1-yard lengths of scrap macram?? cord before beginning your first plant hanger. Tying knots that lay flat and so are all the same size involves a bit of practice to obtain the appropriate amount of tightness in each knot so they really all look-alike.
Mounting Your Project
Making a macrame plant hanger requires some tension within the cords continually. Most macrame plant hangers work through the bottom up to the top. After tying the very first knots onto a metal ring, you can actually hammer a big nail to a wall and hang the ring on it. The load of the cord and length helps keep the cords hanging down and stops them from crossing while they hang. Handling your project flat on your table usually ends up with mixing in the cords, which is evident from the finished product.
Sections of the Hanger
The 1st section of macrame plant hangers starts at the bottom, usually by attaching larks head knots onto a ring, and has a supporting web for the pot to sit in. You need to make this section even so that your particular pot sits level to retain water and soil. Place the pot in to the hanger when you work in order that it looks even. The second section normally incorporates either square knots that lie flat or spiral knots, which might be half a square knot and appear twisted. This is actually the longest section, leading to the top-level. The top may have a ring attachment or might end by having a wrapped knot, which is similar to a hangman's noose.
Embellishments
Adding glass, wood and colored beads will give your project an exclusive design. Using many color of macram?? cord can also produce an authentic masterpiece of design. Any item which the cords fit through can decorate macrame plant hangers. Plain brown wooden beads are classic but could possibly be updated by having a coat of bright metallic or iridescent paint. Artistic individuals might use clear glass beads and paint flowers or animals onto them for his or her hangers. Small Christmas bells will string for the cord and possess a dual purpose of beauty and act as wind chimes for outside projects.
Macrame is a unique style of fabric weaving with knots, which originates long ago in the 13th century with Arabian weavers. There is quite a history. The process began as a way of making sure that towels, shawls and bed sheets don't unravel however today, there are lots of fabrics derived from macrame. A macrame item is made from various knots represented in square knots. With regards to macrame bracelet models, the easiest one is the rectangular knot and it's quite common. Historians are still unclear of the macrame bracelets origins, however this stuff are still trendy in the east and west, and among men and women of all ages too. There are many Macram?? bracelet patterns, catering for many fashions and tastes and which enable people to correspond the patterns with their fashion. This article outlines popular bracelet models and how you can manufacture your own trendy macrame?? items.
To figure out which pattern best fits you feel free to keep reading.
The square knot, also known as the reef knot or put simply, the binding knot, was made up to secure an object through a thread or a rope. This can be easily accomplished, just by using the 'right over left and left over right' way of entangling two ropes. It is considered a fairly secure knot that can be taken off only by jamming or cutting. If your macram?? bracelet pattern includes beads, shells and other minor adornments, you can put it all together using this type of knot. Some of the other knots that can be used to do lovely bracelet models include, Granny knots, Shoelace knots, thief knot, Grief knot and the Surgeon's knot.
Many of the knots require countless of hours of exercise.
Also, it's imperative to utilize thick cords of diverse nuances and drawing pins. When you have mastered at least 2 kinds of knots and have decided for a macrame bracelet configuration that you like, it is time to begin working. The designs depicted with sea-shells will always be highly fashionable. The rectangular knot can be used to secure the selected shells, you have the option of drilling a hole through the chosen shell and attaching a cord. This is recognized to be the easier way of doing things, but it does make the entire macram?? experience not as special. as if you used more complicated ways
As for micro-macram?? bracelet configurations, you must use cords that are about 2 mm in thickness, and arm yourself with plenty of skill and persistence. Micro-macram?? is one of the most admired types of handiwork, because of the tedious effort they need. Some of the bracelet configurations that are trendy include rainbow macram??'s, that are created with strings of a series of vibrant nuances and fit the reggae fashion, double hitch macram??'s, metallic bracelets that incorporate metal beads or spikes enclosed between thread knots, triangle bracelets, spiral and round bracelets - all produced by tying the exact colors of strings with the proper knots.
If you love macramé and you want to learn how to create beautiful macramé knots, then One Stop Macramé Shop is the perfect product for you. In this e-book, author and long-time macramé lover Samantha Jenkins will teach you macramé patterns and tips so you can improve your skills.
With One Stop Macramé you'll learn the best kind of rope to use, the knots you should use and when to use them, how to brilliantly blend colors, tips to make your macramé look contemporary and more tips. This e-book contains clear and accurate instructions; a list of materials and suppliers, pictures, patterns and project ideas; craft store information and other helpful resources.
Whether you want to create macramé jewelry or other items, you can do it with One Stop Macramé Shop. This e-book will unleash your creativity and help you create macramé crafts successfully, whether you do it as a hobby or as a business.
Macrame is
an age-old craft based on tying knots using fiber cords. This craft has been
around for hundreds of years, and can be traced back to the thirteenth century.
The art was believed to have originated with the Arab weavers who travel
through the desert and trade the products of their craftsmanship with town
dwellers.
In time, the
craftsmanship of macrame spread throughout Europe, attracting the fascination
of everyone across the social classes. In fact, manly sailors have been known
to macrame to pass away the time while spending long months at sea. When at
port, the sailors bartered their finished crafts so they could buy essential
supplies before going back to their ships. And so, the art of macrame continued
to flourish.
Macrame's
popularity peaked during the Victorian era. Macrame lace was all the rage, and
could be found on curtains, women's sleeves, dress hems, pillowcases and
anywhere else that could use a little lacy embellishment.
Over the
centuries, the popularity of Macrame gradually diminished. Some of the more
elaborate knotting techniques were soon forgotten, leaving behind no record of
their patterns and designs. The art of knot tying, however, keeps coming back
to life, the passion for knotting burning continuously under the surface.
The passion
for macrame heated up in the seventies. During that decade, macrame pieces were
always seen everywhere. There was never a home without a macrame plant hanger
or macrame owl hanging gracing its walls. During this revival period, the craft
focused more on textiles and furnishings, such as macrame hammocks, chairs and
decorative macrame accessories used at home. By the time the rockin' and
rollin' eighties came, macrame had faded from people's memories.
This
disappearance did not last long, however. With the nineties came the grunge
scene, and once again, the age-old craft experienced a revival of sorts,
although this time in the form of hemp jewelry. Macrame bracelets and necklaces
could be found at craft fairs and shops. The natural earthy look of hemp was
the perfect complement to the knotted art form.
Now, this ancient
art form is again being resurrected, but with a bigger audience in mind. The
world of Haute Couture has begun experimenting with it. Last year, it was
subtly added to clothing lines from famous houses. This year we have seen
macrame accessories in the Spring and Summer 2010 collections. Who would have
guessed that several gorgeous macrame dresses would be seen in the Spring 2010
collection of Dianne Von Furstenberg, a well known fashion designer?
The world of
Haute Couture often leads the cavalry in reviving crafts and techniques of
yesteryear. The potential of macrame as a sophisticated art form in fashion is
undeniable. Macrame artists are slowly being recognized as artisans of the
highest order. So whip out your macrame cord and start knotting!
A macram??
name bracelet could be a nice personalized gift for girls and if girls are
allowed to create their own customized bracelets then they would certainly go
crazy about this idea. A self designed bracelet with your name on it can be a
good jewelry piece that you can flaunt in style. Or you can choose to wear an
inspiring phrase like "peace" with the bracelet. It is possible to
design a wristband using on a website and get the customized band delivered at
your doorstep by the website owner. And the good thing is that there are
businesses that make bracelet jewelries and ship them at no extra cost.
Females are
fond of jewelry because wearing ornaments is a great way to add elegance to
your beauty and highlight your features. A massive array of jewelries pieces is
available in traditional jewelry stores and retail stores but when it comes to
choosing for a personalized gift for girls, women choose bracelets. A tiny
wristband can reflect your true self and also highlight the values, you care
for. Internet technology has provided an opportunity to the women to create
designer wristbands for them and get their customized jewelry pieces to their
doorstep.
A macrame
bracelet seems a cheap jewelry piece but it can help improve your look and
introduce you to others. Wearing a bracelet with your name on it is a great way
to tell people who you are. It will not take you more than a few minutes to
design your wristband and it won't cost you more than a few dollars in getting
the bracelet, you have designed, at your home. All you need to get a customized
wristband is to search for a website that provides personalized gift for girls.
You won't find any difficulty in locating such a website, if you are searching
the web with "bracelet name" keyword.