Macramé

Macramé is a specialized form of textile production that relies entirely on knotting techniques. Unlike weaving or knitting, which use interlacing threads or loops, macramé creates structure through various knots.

This craft is valued for its ability to create both delicate lace and sturdy functional items. It ranges from tiny pieces of jewelry to massive wall hangings. People use it to express creativity through intricate patterns and textures. The art form connects many different cultures and historical eras through the simple act of tying cords together.

To create macramé, a crafter must master specific knotting mechanisms. The primary knots used are the square knot, also known as a reef knot, and various forms of hitching. Hitching involves different combinations of half hitches to create specific shapes.

One highly detailed variety is Cavandoli macramé. This style uses the double half-hitch knot to build geometric or free-form patterns. It can look so much like woven fabric that it is often mistaken for weaving. To maintain balance in a piece, crafters may use reverse half hitches when working on the left or right sides.

Various materials and tools are required to produce high-quality macramé work. Crafters choose cords based on the project, using cotton twine, linen, hemp, jute, leather, or yarn. A cord may be described as 3-ply, meaning three lengths of fiber are twisted together.

For organization, many use a knotting board to mount the cords. These boards can be secured with C-clamps, straight pins, T-pins, or upholstery pins. Larger decorative items, such as window coverings, often begin on a wooden or metal dowel. This allows the artist to manage dozens of cords at once while working.

Macramé has deep roots in ancient history. Some of the earliest recorded uses of these knotting styles appear in the stone carvings of the Babylonians and Assyrians. These ancient carvings show fringe-like braiding on costumes. Arab weavers used a method called miqrama to decorate hand-loomed fabrics. They would knot excess thread onto the edges of towels, shawls, or veils to create ornamental fringes.

These fringes served a practical purpose in northern Africa by helping to keep flies off camels and horses.

The name macramé itself has interesting linguistic origins. One theory suggests it comes from the Andalusian-Arabic word makramiyya, meaning an ornamental fringe or embroidered veil. Another theory suggests it traveled to Europe via the Turkish word makrama, which means a napkin or towel. The craft spread through Europe following the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. It moved into Spain and then into Italy, particularly the Liguria region. In the late 17th century, Queen Mary II introduced the craft to the English court by teaching it to her ladies-in-waiting.

During the 19th century, macramé reached a peak of popularity in the Victorian era. It was used to decorate many household items, including tablecloths, bedspreads, and curtains.

A famous 1882 book, Sylvia's Book of Macramé Lace, provided instructions for making trimmings for various costumes. Sailors also contributed significantly to the craft's history. While at sea, they crafted items like hammocks, belts, and bell fringes to sell or barter when they landed. British and American sailors often called their work "square knotting" or "McNamara's lace."

Macramé has experienced several waves of popularity throughout modern history. It saw a major resurgence in the 1970s, when people made wall hangings, plant hangers, and even small jean shorts.

During this time, macramé jewelry also became very popular in America. Artists often combine knots with glass beads, wood, shells, or even gemstones. While the trend faded in the early 1980s, it saw a brief revival by millennials in the late 2010s. Today, it remains a versatile art form used for everything from fashion to home decor.