Weaving, knitting, embroidery, sewing, crocheting, batik work, etc. We all have come across these words once in our lives. All of these are a type of textile art which is getting more and more popular every day. Today in this blog, we will be discussing a new but one of the most ancient textile art Macramé.
Macramé, an ancient craft that intertwines threads to create intricate patterns and designs, has captivated people around the world for centuries. From its humble origins in ancient civilizations to its modern resurgence as a popular form of artistic expression, macramé has stood the test of time and continues to evolve. In this blog, we will delve into the fascinating history of macramé, explore various techniques used in this art form, and discover its modern applications.
Why is it called Macramé?
Macramé, which is also spelled as Macrame. Macrame is a type of textile art that is made from fringe or coarse lace by knotting thick cotton threads into patterns like geometric or floral. Unlike weaving and knitting, this textile art is made by knotting the cotton threads with one another.
Many experts debate that the word Macrame is a French word, but all these claims go down as the Marcrame’s word is derived from “Migramah” or “Migrama,” which are for sure Arabic words associated with head covering and weaving. Whereas in the Turkish language, the word “Makrama” means fringed napkins or towels.
All Started with a Knot…
The Macrame textile art is considered more like a bohemian art, dating just a few decades back in the 50s and 60s of the 20th century, but in reality, Macramé had got a very interesting history dating back to millions of years ago, around 500 BC, when the European territories - Assyrians, Persians and Syrians started knotting the threads together to make their own clothes.
The Macrame art we see today is the modern history and Macrame technique that has traveled through the world from Middle Eastern countries - the Arabic countries. The Arabian weavers used different types of knotting techniques to secure the edges of their woven shawls and rugs.
The more the textile art traveled across Europe, the more people experimented with the knotting techniques and the more unique and different Macrame knotting styles were born. By the 17th century, Macrame art reached Great Britain, where Queen Mary II taught the ladies the Macrame techniques.
Not just women, but even men - the sailors who would travel to different countries for months and months served Macrame as a time pass to release their boredom and be creative. And this way, Macrame crossed the boundaries of Europe. The Macrame items the sailors made on the ship during their travels were later sold by them to the countries where they landed. The most popular Macrame items were belts, hammocks and hats.
Different Types of Knots Used in Macrame Art:
Macrame art is all about knotting multiple threads with each other.
1. Mounting Knots
Mounting knots are those knots that are created by tying the cords onto the main thread or the metal hoop or the wooden stick used to hold onto the Macrame design. Mounting knots mainly include two types of sub knots - Lark's head knot and reverse Lark's head knot.
2. Square knots
The square knots are the easiest and most frequently used by Macrame weavers in creating Macrame items. The square knots only require 4 cords in total, 2 working and 2 filler cords, and these knots are very versatile, making it easier for weavers to experiment with new knotting techniques. Square knots mainly have two types, the square knot and the half-square knot.
3. Hitch Knots
Hitch knots are quite more difficult than the above two knotting techniques. Though hitch knots give you beautiful knitting designs, they can be very difficult for Macrame newbies. Like the other two, hitch knots also have two types of knots: half hitch knots and double hitch knots, aka clove hitch knots.
4. Gathering Knots
As the name states, knots are gathered by gathering all the Macrame cords and forming a group of knots to secure heavy weights. Overhanging and wrapping the knots will provide you with gathering knots.
Modern Macrame Items
Macrame textile art is getting increasingly popular, which also gave birth to dozens of different types of Macrame items that boho vibe lovers use.
Here are some beautiful modern Macrame items you can find at Knitts Knotts.
1. Macrame Door/Window Curtains
2. Macrame Cushions and Pillows
9. Macrame Window Valance/Bed Tapestry
11. Macrame Pet Hammock & Accessories
Knotting the Blog
Easy availability of Macrame raw materials is one of the biggest advantages Macrame art has to offer you, but in return, a perfect and mesmerizing Macrame art needs a lot of hard work and, most importantly, a lot of patience. If you are one with all these things, you can make Macrame art of your own, but if not, we have got so much for you.
Macrame art is not just about its beauty and charm. Its quality and reliability are also points that need to be considered when buying any kind of Macrame art. Knitts Knotts is your one-stop shop for all your Macrame items made from high-quality cords.