How to Select a Macrame Frame

Macrame is an artistic method of making things using a series of knotted cords. With a little skill and a little practice, almost anything can be made with macrame, from purses and handbags to jewelry to lawn furniture. But sometimes, just knotted cords aren't enough to complete your macrame project. Some kind of a frame is needed, to anchor your cords and give them shape. And selecting the right macrame frame is an important step in creating the perfect macrame project.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• A macrame project

Select a Macrame Frame to Fit Your Project

1. Choose a macrame project. The frame you use--or whether or not you need a frame at all--is dependent on what you want the final product to look like. A chair, for instance, needs a very large, very specific kind of frame. A purse or handbag, on the other hand, needs only a small frame to hold the handle in place.

2. Decide on the function of your frame. Is it meant to be decorative and pretty? Or is it holding the entire project together?

3. Keeping in mind the function of your frame, select a material for it to be made of. A decorative frame for a handbag should be something pretty and stylish--for example, plasticp or faux wood. If you want to make a chair, on the other hand, your frame should be oak or aluminum: something strong that will hold the weight of the chair's intended occupant. A hammock's frame, if used, should be metal and wood: two pieces of wood frame to go across either end of the hammock, and metal for the mounting.

4. Decide on where you're going to buy your macrame frame. You can purchase it online or go to a hobby store, or maybe even a hardware store, depending on the type of frame you want. Go to a few different places and see what the options are and how much you'd expect to pay for the frame you're looking for.

5. Ask an expert: someone in the store, perhaps, a friend or the webmaster of a macrame site. Explain your situation to them and ask what kind of frame they think would best meet your project needs and where to get it.

Resources

• KingsKountry.com for macrame supplies
• KnotingWork.com for macrame forums