With macrame , an old classic of the link technology a new high flight and gains rapidly in popularity among handicraft fans and hobby artists.
With this term you may now feel reminded of colorful friendship bracelets, Wolfgang "Wolle" Petry, flower lights from the eighties or linked wall pictures made of thick sisal cord, right?
Whether as a decoration element in the apartment or as a piece of jewelry on the body - macrame is versatile and can easily be made yourself.
Wonderful decorative elements for the apartment can be created with macrame .
With this article we would like to show you that this oriental link technology can be done much more and that numerous, incredibly creative concepts, techniques, ideas and projects have developed in this area of manual work. Thanks to the Internet, they are also spread over the world and allow various cultural influences.
In addition to classic murals and bracelets, you will also find supporters of all kinds, belts, watch bracelets, necklaces, wind chips, pieces of furniture, clothing and decoration in all its characteristics. There are almost no limits to the imagination in the application of macrame.
With macrame you can also produce artistic clothing. Image source: Svetlanasokolova, via Unsplash on Freepik
This is always shown in the creativity and diversity of the use of this connection technique.
There are numerous instructions and books on the subject of macrame that help you learn basics of knot techniques The right accessories such as macrame yarn or sock wool can now be found easily on the Internet or in the handicraft business around the corner.
With a little practice, impressive works of art can be created that upgrade every room and underline your own style. Those who like to tinker and handcraft will surely enjoy this gentle way of knitting and crocheting.
And who knows, maybe making macrame work will even be a relaxation method in between?
Background and origin
The term comes from Spanish (Macramé) and describes a linkage technology coming from the Orient for the production of ornaments, patterns or textiles . The Spanish word "Macramé" in turn comes from the Arabic "Migramah""weaving" in Arab language use .
With the crusaders and the Moors (via Spain), this technology ultimately came to Europe. Since then she has experienced several flowering times here, in which very fine -old -knotted work was created. The last heyday in Germany, which may also have been remembered excellently, was in the 1970s. Work from this decade was often very rustic.
For a few months now, this wonderful form of manual work has been strong again on the upswing and is again very popular.
The most common shapes include:
Chinese Macramé, which is supposed to bring happiness to New Year
Macramé-eulen, a traditional form of the Macramé
Tablecloths, belts, wall hangings
Latin American Macramé, especially jewelry (bracelets, chains, etc.)
Uniform jewelry parts, rank badge
Materials and tools for macrame handcraft
Certain materials and tools are required to manufacture macrame work.
Which yarn for macrame?
The right yarn is particularly important. There are special macrame yarn , which is made from cotton or jute and is particularly suitable for this handicraft shape. Sock wool also be used, but it should be ensured that they are not too thin and can be well knotted.
The traditional yarn for macrame is made of cotton and is available in two variants: braided or rotated . The twisted yarn can either consist of a single twirled strand or from usually 3-4 twirled strands, which in turn are twisted together. This is often referred to as a 3-ply yarn.
Ms. Friemel (more information and link below) describes herself as a passionate craft and large macrame fan. It uses rotated yarn because the ends can fray at this type of yarn and it is often cheaper.
In their opinion, braided yarn gives the macrame knotanry more calm and is easier to handle especially for beginners. If you still prefer to use rotated yarn, the DIY professional recommends starting with the 3-ply version.
In addition to the right yarn, there are also a variety of accessories such as crochet needles , knitting or knot accessories as well as books with instructions and inspiration.
Materials and tools for the macrame handwork Image source: Freepik
Bobbiness 's products , a Polish company that specializes in handmade yarns, The best macrame yarn is, in many macrame enthusiasts, the simply twisted 3 mm yarn from Bobbiness . Not only color, optics and a wonderful feeling of work convince here, but also the environmentally friendly production.
In addition to various types of yarns, there are also practical accessories on their website.
If you are new to the world of the macrame, you will find numerous opportunities to make your first steps easier and work creatively.
How long does the thread have to be with the macrame?
With the macrame, the length of the threads depends on which project you want to implement. In principle, however, the threads should be at least two to three times as long as the finished macrame. If you want to make a wall decoration of one meter in length, you should use threads of at least two meters in length.
Another important factor is the thickness of the threads. The thicker the thread, the shorter it can be. So if you use thicker cords, they can also be shorter than the recommended two -time length of the finished macrame. It is also important to consider that a few centimeters can be lost at the ends when a macrame is being made.
Therefore, you should always add a few additional centimeters to the thread lengths. If you are unsure which length is needed, you can orientate yourself to instructions or tutorials and, if necessary, experiment.
In general, however, the following applies: better use a little more than too little material - it can always be shortened or cut off!
Basic nodes and techniques in the macrame
In the macrame there are a variety of nodes and techniques that should be mastered to create beautiful and authentic works. The basic nodes in the macrame include the cross node , the double cross node and the slash node .
Playful flower light with the macrame technology Photo of Rocknwool @rocknwool, via Unsplash
With these knot techniques you can make beautiful wall hangings , flower lights or bracelets . Regardless of whether it is a beginner or advanced, with the numerous instructions and books on the subject of macrame, everyone will find their suitable challenges.
Fades and work thread
In principle, a distinction is made between two threads with this connection technique. The threads that wear knots are called carrier threads . The threads that form nodes are called work threads .
One basic rule is: carrier threads never make loops. The difference in a flower traffic light is clearly visible, in which the flower bowls are kept through the wage threads and decorated by the work threads.
In the technology of the macrame, these two types of cords are also called active (work threads) and passive (carrier threads) cords. The active cords are used to tie the knots while the passive cords specify the node direction and thus serve as a guideline.
In some projects there can also be a change between the functions. If there is no change, the passive cords are significantly shorter than the active.
You can also see the basics of the link technology in the following video:
The anchor knot
The beginning of every macrame project begins with this knot. He is often called anchor stitch . The anchor node serves to attach the knotting yarn to a guideline, wrestling or wooden bars.
This is how it works: Place the yarn in the shape of a loop and guide it around a wooden rod from the front, so that the closed side points downwards. Then lead the loose ends over the rod through this loop and then pull everything down well.
You can also use this knot backwards. Depending on the project, either the forward or reverse variant is better.
In the following video, Dilara von Westwing a simple step by step macrame instructions with which every beginner quickly understands the principle of the basic node and becomes a professional in no time:
Half nodes and twice the blow
Essentially, building on the anchor node in the macrame is only two basic nodes. For one thing, that's half the knot
Half knot (left) Source: here4u on German Wikipedia [Cc-by-Sa-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Half knot (right) by Filmrob [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
And on the other hand, half a blow
Half blow left by Jomegat [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Half blow, laid on the right by Jomegat [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
These knots are a variation of the anchor node presented beforehand. They consist of two half strokes around the guiding lift, which are formed one after the other. The double half blow is well suited for making longer horizontal or vertical routes.
This is how the left -wing knot is made:
Start leading the left part (work cord) via the right cord (guiding base). Then go back to the left from right to the left, so that the work cord forms a loop or half a stroke. Then lead the working cord under the guideline to the right and then again over this to the left. In the end they pull everything well! Of course, this also works well from the right.
In the following video, Youtuber Larissa show you in detail from mixed bags how to make the knot called "Double Half Schlag" both horizontally and diagonally to the left and right in a descending direction. This special knot is often used in the production of macrame dream catchers or wall hangers.
Cross nodes, shaft nodes and ribs
Building on these two basic nodes, more complicated knots are then linked. For example, the cross node (also weaver, flat or salomone nodes), the wave nodes (including old women) or the ribnotes :
Locked cross nodes
Old women (started on the left over right)
Cross knot
The cross node is an essential knot in the area of the macrame, which is considered the standard node. This knot enables you to design an area with a variety of cords.
So he is done:
To make a left -wing cross knot, take the outermost left cord and take you to the right via the two resting middle cords. Then take the outermost right cord and lead it to the left under the middle cords.
Next, turn the skewer: lead the left cord under the middle cords to the right and the right cord over the middle cords to the left. Afterwards, pull everything down well.
From these few nodes, such as cross nodes and loop nodes/ribs, you can already do a lot of cool macrame work such as wall carpets, decorative elements and other accessories such as flower lights, pacifier chains or yoga mat straps (see video).
Ribnot
The rib notes offers a great way to highlight certain node areas and optically differentiate. However, it is suitable for different forms, but requires concentration and practice to achieve an even result.
Ribnotes (forward knot) by Jomegat [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Ribnotes (backward knot) of Jomegat [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
This is how it works:
Start laying the guideline on the far left over the other cords. Then take the closest cord and shape the first loop with it by first leading it up over the guideline and then bringing it down behind the guideline.
Use the same cord in a similar way to form a second loop. Then pull both loops tight and hold the guide well.
Repeat this process with the third cord to create two more loops. Go on this way until you have reached the end of the series. If you want to build an additional series underneath, put the guideline from right to left parallel to the first row and then continue to combine neighboring cords according to the same principle.
Wave knot
The fascination of the shaft node is that a helix or spiral automatically forms by consistently adhering to a link rhythm.
Macrame wave node: single nodes with loop to the right
Macrame wave node: right-wing spiral node
This is how it works:
To get an left -wing cord, lead the outermost left cord over the middle cords to the right and the outermost right cord under the middle strands to the left. You then repeat this rhythm continuously. The cord turns by itself.
Of course, you can also prove exactly to get a right -wing cord. With this knot, it is crucial to tighten the knots so that an even spiral is created.
The subsequent video summarizes the basic nodes again in a clear way for you:
Macrame styles
In the following infographic you can see a few popular and frequently used styles and techniques.
There are also so -called decorative nodes that are used somewhat less frequently.
The Trossenstek is a connection, but also ornamental nodes with which two ends can be connected. Image source: Chris 73 / Wikimedia Commons
These include the Trossenstek ( Josefinenknoten or Brezel node ), which primarily serves as a decorative node, as well as berries , rose nodes , cross and cross node , pipa nodes and exchange nodes (in the following illustration from left to right).
Five decorative macrame nodes next to each other on one branch image source: Arabella Oberstedt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Video instructions and tutorials
Regardless of whether you are reading about this linkage technique for the first time and just have become curious, or whether you are already an old hare in this field: The following videos will certainly have one or the other exciting suggestion that you have not yet met.
Hobby artists show the most important tricks and demonstrate their favorite techniques and work.
Knot techniques
Creative macrame projects-the best video tutorials
How about if you share some of your hand -made creations to give other people happy? Handmade gifts have a special charm. The joy you feel when creating appears through every knot, and this positive energy becomes alive when you give it away.
And who knows, maybe your projects also stimulate creativity for others. Here we have compiled some of the most beautiful online video tutorials that support you step by step in bringing your macrame ideas to life.
DIY macrame-boho wind light
Even more boho-chic ideas
Curtains and wall hangings
Key trailer with a small loop
DIY macrame bag without fringes
Dream catcher
Colorful life tree as a dream catcher
Pennant chain
Haneway / flower light
Easter decoration-small, sweet macrame rabbits
Christmas decorations-small DIY fir tree as a wall hanging
A wonderful starting point for the start of the DIY world of oriental link technology is Ms. Friemel's handicraft blog. There Liesa shares her passion for DIY projects and shows how to make all kinds of beautiful things yourself.
Your repertoire includes everything from apartment decoration to handmade jewelry . In recent years, the handicraft fairy has developed a special preference for macrame that has become its greatest expertise.
Arabella Mandarella also looking for instructions, tips and project inspiration. Free step-by-step instructions for flower lights, dream catchers, macrame springs and keychains are presented in the blog of favorite yarn . Mrs. Greenhouse also shares her favorite instructions with her readers.
Macrame instructions for flower lights and bracelets are also available from the DIY portal and Magazin Handmade Culture .
Even more work, instructions and inspiration ...
You haven't had enough so far? Then it continues with a real abundance of wonderful and creative application examples to look at, admire and build up ...
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Owner and managing director of Kunstplaza. Publicist, editor and passionate blogger in the field of art, design and creativity since 2011. Successful conclusion in web design as part of a university degree (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expression painting and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through many years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.
Like every topic, art a wealth of subject -specific terms, expressions, abbreviations and foreign words.
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