How to Make Decorative Macrame
Macrame is the art of decorating textiles with knots. It was first developed during the 13th century as a method of using excess thread in fabrics but later evolved into its own art form. The word macrame is derived from the Arabic term migramah which is frequently translated as "ornamental fringe."
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Instructions
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Obtain the essential materials from a crafts supply store. Decorative macrame requires a knotting board, T pins, scissors and cord. A T pin should be about 1 ¾-inches long and is used to hold beading and knotting in place.
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Use hemp and linen twine as the most common choices for knotting. They are thick enough to manipulate and not too slippery to hold the knots. Cords of cotton or cotton blends are also used and jute may be found in the basketry section of a crafts store.
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Acquire other materials as needed. Rubber bands can be used to secure long cords and a tape measure will also come in handy. Accessories used in macrame include beads, buckles, feathers, rings and shells. Curtain rods, dowels, handles and sticks may be used as mounting pieces.
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Learn the square knot and double half-hitch. Most macrame designs use these two knots almost exclusively.
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Mount the knotting cords to a core such as a dowel or other cord using a lark's head or double half-hitch knot. The strings may also be mounted to a knotting board with overhand knots.
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