How to Choose a Macramé Project

Long ago, sailors at sea practiced ornamental knotting, or macramé, during long voyages. In port, they sold hammocks and other items they had made. In the 1970s, macramé was a popular method of creating planters and wall hangings with rope. The craft remains popular today, especially for making jewelry and other fashion accessories.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Hemp
• Knotting Board
• Beads
• Cords
• Thin Wood Dowels
• Rubber Bands
• Twine
• C-clamps
• T-pins
• macramé supplies

1. Consider your skills and experience. If you're a beginner, choose a basic design requiring simple knots: the square knot, the double half hitch and the overhand.
2. Decide what type of item you'd like to make. Possibilities include curtains, bedspreads, wall hangings, planters, bracelets, belts, chokers and hammocks.
3. Search the library, Web sites, bookstores and craft stores for patterns.