How to Make Fancy Macrame
Macrame is the art of tying knots. This craft can be traced back to its Arabic roots in which the word macrame means fringe. A pastime popular in the 70s, macrame has made a comeback in jewelry as well as home decorations, such as plant holders and even purses. For all its geometric patters, macrame has a few basic knots that when used skillfully can create any patterns you wish. You are only limited by your imagination. The only demand this craft makes on its creator is patience, since more ambitious projects can take weeks or even months to finish.
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Instructions
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Take the hemp twine and cut off two long strands. A good rule of thumb to get the right length is to multiply the finished desired length of the project by eight. So if you want a seven inch bracelet, you'll need strands that are 56 inches long.
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Take one of the strands, bring the ends together and fold it in half. Take the loop created where you folded the twine and wrap it under and around the pencil. Pull the ends through the loop and pull to secure the twine onto the pencil. This is called a lark's head knot. Repeat this for the other strand placing it right next to the first knot you made on the pencil. You should have four strands starting at the pencil.
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The two inner strands are called the anchor strands. Starting with the right end strand, pull it over the two anchor strands and under the left end strand. Holding the right end strand with your left hand, take the left end strand with your right hand and pass it behind the two anchor strands and through the loop created by the right end strand. Pull both end straps tightly to the top of the anchor strands. This is a half square knot.
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Continue making half square knots over and over to create a twisted pillar look. If you have a bead or a shell you'd like to add, pull the anchor strands through the hole in the bead or the shell and continue with your half square knots.
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For a variation, you can make full square knots which will lie flat instead of twist around. To do this, first do a half square knot. Then, pass the strand that is now the new left end strand over the anchor strands and under the new right end strand. Next, pass the new right end strand under the anchor strands and through the loop created by the left end strand. Pull tightly to secure the knot in place. The knot should lie flat.
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If you are making a necklace or a bracelet, when you reach the length you want, slip the pencil out of the lark's knots and pull on the anchor straps to make the end loops as small as you want. After placing it where you want it, tie a knot and cut off the excess twine.
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Tips & Warnings
Another way to measure for a simple project like a bracelet or a necklace is to add two to four inches to the desired length and make that your anchor strands (mark it off with a marker so you know where to make your mounting lark's knot). Then make the outer strings three times the length of the anchor strings.
Macrame can be made out of various materials such as embroidery floss, however, it is best to start with hemp twine and then move on to other materials once you have become more comfortable with the craft.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Not simple knot image by Alistarter from Fotolia.com
