Legend goes that North American sailors spent long hours aboard ships practicing Macramé square knots and hitch knots. These sailors made fringes for wheels and bell covers, netting and screens. Over the years this art and craft fell to disuse. It was again revived in the sixties with the 'hippie movement', which brought with it a revival of interest in this ancient craft. Today Macramé craft has regained its immense popularity.
Macramé is an art of decorative knotting without using needles or hooks. By using a series of knots, many ornamental patterns are created. Macramé can be created using any kind of material. You can use fine thread to make Macramé lace or even use leather strips. By a special technique, the Macramé craft keeps the knots in place while the work is being done. Macramé can be tried by anyone with a passion to create with little or no experience. Even a small child can try Macramé.
At the same time, Macramé can pose a challenge and make it a most demanding craft for many senior artisans and craftsman. Creation of a decorative piece using the Macramé craft requires artistic skill coupled with patience. It may even take many a month to finish a complex piece using high quality Macramé work with intricate design
Macramé jewellery is often made in combination of various beads made of glass, wood, pendants or shells. Gemstones are also widely used in Macramé rings. Wire is used in making necklaces. Leather and fabric is used to craft accessories like belts created using Macramé techniques. Large Macramé decorative pieces such as wall hanging or window coverings use wood and metal. Macramé wall hangings are made from a wide variety of material ranging from fine linen to heavy weight jute. Beads, feathers, buttons, rings and shells add a decorative touch to a fine piece of Macramé work.
Sterling silver, freshwater pearls, semi precious stones and sworovski crystals are widely used to create stunning Macramé jewellery. Macramé necklaces come in various designs and styles; the famous style being Macramé Y-shaped necklaces. By varying the knots, their position and the kind of gemstone used, several one-of-a-kind designer necklaces are produced. Macramé chokers that come with semi precious stones and fresh water pearls are show stealers.
Macramé earrings and bracelets come in fibre and waxed linen and some in wire. Macramé earrings are light in weight and are of various sizes and shapes. Macramé anklets are also gaining in popularity among the westerners and Orientals these days. Macramé jewellery made of nylon waxed twine is light to wear in contrast to silver, gold and traditional jewellery with crystals and gemstones.
Macramé materials
Vary the type of cord used and you can come up with elegant and artistic items. For instance the cord, which is dyed, cheap and excellent material for holding plant holders, is different from the embroidery threads that are used for delicate ornamental work.
Cotton crochet: This is a simple cord type, which is soft and easy to work with. It is available in myriad colors. This works well for small and delicate work.
Embroidery floss: This makes uses of strong cords in a variety of colors. The knots using this cord type are strong and difficult to untie.
Hemp: This is a strong natural fabric and wears well.
Polypropylene: This is a type of cord available in various sizes. It is strong and durable.
Rattail: This type of cord lends a satin feel to the crafted object. It is available in a variety of colors and sizes.
Soutache: This is a kind of flat-ribbed satin cord often using for trimming.
Waxed linen: This is best-suited for creating crisp knots. It is slightly stiff and can hold well.
Wire: This is used in Macramé jewellery. Copper is the best choice as it provides strong and durable cord
Macramé Jewellery comes in-
Necklace
Bracelets
Rings
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