Macrame is an ancient textile-making craft which uses knots on thread or twine or hemp instead of weaving or knitting. It was used by Arab weavers of hand-loomed fabrics in the 13th century used to knot the excess yarn along the edges of the fabric and make them into fringes on bath towels, shawls and veils to give decorative effect.
Along with the weavers products the macrame craft also traveled to Europe. Sailors picked up the craft and started using macrame to decorate the handles of knives and other objects; they used to sell or barter these articles at the ports where the ship would call.
This gave a wider circulation to this craft and it spread to all corners of the world. In the course of time it became fashionable and macrame was then widely used in Victorian England and America to provide fancy trimmings for colored and black costumes in the fashion circles. Belts and hammocks also were commonly made in macrame.
In the course of time when mass produced goods became cheap and were easily available the craft of macrame fell out of fashion. It has become fashionable again and is gaining popularity. A wide variety of items from plant hangers to furniture and from jewelry to Christmas decorations are made in macrame. Macrame easily lends itself to such different projects easily.
Many articles such as draperies, wall hangings, bedspreads and tablecloths in macrame are very popular and in great demand. Small jean shorts, plant hangers and flower pots are some of the other items that are very much in vogue. Jewelry items such as earrings, bracelets, chokers and ankle bracelets, etc are popular as gift items.
In sewing and knitting you use needles to achieve the result and make a design; by contrast in macrame you have to rely on a wide variety of macrame knots. There are some simple knots, and some more complicated ones. It is the macrame knot that decides the pattern that will emerge when you make macrame.
There are various different types of macrame knots such as larkshead knot, square knot and granny knot, etc. Sliding knot and figure-of-8 climbing knot are some other commonly used macrame knots. Tying the macrame knots is a skill which you can develop with practice.
But learning to make knots in ropes is only half the story. You need select macrame patterns, select one that will be right for what you intend to make. A wide range of macrame patterns are available and each pattern can use only certain types of knots successfully.
Now even a novice can learn such arts and crafts as macrame easily. It is easy to give and receive macrame instructions on internet. There are many websites specializing in macrame, telling you how to macrame. They specialize in imparting macrame instructions with detailed illustrations or photographs, there are many websites that provide tutorials telling how to macrame. Macrame is a craft that can be learnt only by practicing it. More and more people, especially women, now want to learn macrame. Some want to learn it as a hobby and some even think of making a career out of this ancient craft.
About the Author:
To learn out exactly how I learned to macrame jewelry please check my website about macrame cord for more tips and secrets.
0 comments:
Post a Comment