Macrame is the crafting technique that uses knots – over weaving or knitting – to create a range of shapes and textiles.
Did you know that its historical uses are varied with sailors using it to cover anything from bottles, and knife handles to parts of ships? Arab weavers also used the technique for shawls, towels, and veils to decorative fringes.
The beautiful art of macrame made a huge comeback recently and by learning a few basic knots you can create a wall hanging or a plant holder to brighten up your living space.
I have been loving and teaching macrame for the past four years, both privately and as an Artisan on Hobbycraft workshops.
You can find my Macrame Lantern Garland pattern with the full instructions on their website here. It is a versatile piece that can be hung up vertically or horizontally. You could also make individual lanterns as a smaller project. I love this pattern so much to this day!
Recently I've been invited by Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry to host an Art Masterclass workshop for young artists.
To help them understand the basic techniques of macrame knotting I created a short tutorial which I thought I'll share with all of you who have the desire to try out this form of creativity.
Let's make something beautiful together!
Herbert’s Macrame Wall Hanging
This tutorial takes you step by step through all the materials
and how to make a small macrame wall hanging.
The below pattern is beginner friendly and uses basic macrame techniques.
Please read the whole pattern carefully before starting the project.
Materials:
Macrame cord - two colours
Wooden dowel
Pair of scissors
Techniques:
Lark’s head knot
Square knot
Bobble knot
Half square knot
Prep:
Cut all the strings prior to starting the project.
10 x 1.2m of the main colour
4 x 2m of the second colour
1 x 0.5m of the second colour to hang your macrame
PATTERN
Centre:
Using all main colour strings, tie ten lark’s head knots to the wooden dowel.
To make this knot take one string and fold it in half. Put the folded end over the wood dowel and pull the cord ends through the back of the loop.
Row 1: Tie 5 square knots.
The square knot is made in two parts using four strings.
Take the first four strings from the left: two inner strings are the core; two outer strings are working strings.
Using the left outer string, fold it on top of two core strings so it forms a number 4. Pass the right working cord over the top of the left one and under core strings and pull it up through the left-hand side loop. Pull working cords bringing the knot right up to the lark’s head knot above. Make sure the core string are not twisted.
Repeat in reverse starting with the right outer string.
These two steps form a square knot.
Continue making square knots four more times in this row making sure that they are all on the same level.
Row 2: Repeat row 1 pulling all knots right up to the previous row.
Row 3: Leave first and last two strings aside and make four square knots. This will create an alternating pattern of square knots
Row 4: Repeat row 3 pulling all knots right up to the previous row.
Row 5: Leave first and last four strings aside and make three square knots.
Row 6: Repeat row 5 pulling all knots right up to the previous row.
Row 7: Leave first and last six strings aside and make two square knots.
Row 8: Repeat row 7 pulling all knots right up to the previous row.
Row 9: Leave the first and last two strings aside and make one square knot in the centre.
Row 10: Repeat row 9 pulling all knots right up to the previous row.
Using the other colour string tie two lark’s head knots on both sides of your work.
Left and right side: Make a square knot leaving a 1cm gap from the lark’s head knot. Make two more square knots directly underneath.
To make a bobble knot: fold the core strings up and feed it through the 1cm gap. Using side strings tie a square knot directly underneath to secure the bobble knot.
To make the spiral knot work the first step of the square knot continuously. Be careful not to untwist your work while you still working the knots.
By continuously working the second part of the square knot you will create a spiral twisted in an opposite direction!
Use this for the right side under the bobble knot to make your project symmetrical.
Finishing:
Trim all ends to the desired length or shape.
Attach a short string in between two lark knots on each end to hang your macrame.
To achieve a slightly different effect you can attach your project to a piece of cord and tie it to the dowel at the end.
It couldn't be more simple than this!
I hope I encouraged you to give it a go and if you do please share your work with me by tagging @woollygear on Instagram or Twitter.
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