The A to Z of Macrame: C is For
- Gemma Gilbert
- Aug 3
- 5 min read
Welcome back to my monthly blog series where we take a deep dive on all things macrame and learn as much as about it. Starting at A, we are going to go through the whole alphabet, researching all things macrame under each letter.
Today we are on C, and among other things, we’ll be talking about one of my favourite subjects; cord!!
Join me on this journey as we travel through The A to Z of Macrame!
C is for...
Cord
Lets face it, without macrame cords, we wouldn’t have macrame! It’s a pretty integral part of the macrame artists kit.
To look at the history and evolution of macrame cords, we have to look at the history of macrame itself. I will be taking a deeper dive on the history of macrame when we get to H in our series so for now I’ll keep it fairly brief.
Macrame is believed to have originated in the 13th Century with Arab weavers. These weavers would have used natural fibers such as cotton, wool, flax and linen; twisting them into cord and using them to knot with.
The macrame technique then spread through Europe, eventually coming to Victorian Britain where is quickly became a popular decorative art. Cords were commonly made from cotton and linen which were common and strong materials used for craft. Women would also use thin cotton cords to produce lace like items which were smoother, thinner and more delicate.
Sailors were known for playing a major role in spreading macrame across the world and their cords were made from string durable materials such as jute or hemp which could withstand salty air.
In the 1960s and 70s, macrame had a massive revival with the hippie and bohemian movement. Crafters used thicker, rustic cords made from jute, hemp or cotton. It was also popular to have natural, unbleached cords with earthy aesthetics.
Nowadays we have gone back to cotton cords as the most popular cord to use but we have other cords such as synthetic polyester which is great to use outside, and the gorgeous soft bamboo which is shiny and creates the most glorious fringes. We are also spoilt for choice in terms of colours, there are so many on the market now, including some incredible variegated cords.
We also have lots of different cord types, such as a single twist, 3 ply rope or strong braided cords. Single twist is very soft and easy for brushing out when creating a fringe. 3 ply is a strong rope like cord which creates more structure for your work, but can also be brushed out. Braided cord is the strongest cord which is fantastic for plant hangers or shelves, and cannot be brush out.
If you fancy a browse to see what cords I currently have in stock, follow the link below.
Crown Knot/ Chinese Crown Knot
I love this knot!!
It’s not actually one I use all the often but it’s an amazing way to make a project 3D, like Christmas Candy Canes.
This knot looks tricky to start with, but I actually think is fairly simple. As I said before, it’s great for building a 3D shape such as the candy canes pictured. You can also use it as a design feature in plant hangers, and you can even use it in wall hangings, which is something I haven’t tried yet.
It’s a fun knot to try and so if you fancy trying it, I made a tutorial video on my instagram. Click the link before to see it.
Celtic Knot
I have to be honest, this is a knot I have never tried! It is so beautiful, I really must try using it in a wall hanging.
Celtic knots are stylised looped patterns with no beginning or end, symbolizing eternity, interconnectedness, and cycles of life. They date back to around the 5th century and are prominent in Celtic Christian art, stone carvings and metalwork.
You'll often see Celtic knots in macrame items such as bracelets, chokers, necklaces, and wall hangings.
Crafters often use Celtic knots in macrame to evoke spiritual connection, unity and balance and cultural heritage; especially in places like Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
Macrame Coasters
Macrame coaster are a popular item for me at craft fairs, and they are a great item to have because they can be fairly simple and quick to produce.
The most common macrame coaster I tend to see is the circular ones made using the double half hitch knot. A fairly simple design once you get hang of the knot, this project is actually pretty therapeutic thanks to its repetitive nature. I love the fluffy fringes on this coaster to.
If you fancy making your own circular coaster, I actually have a tutorial on my blog you can follow.
Another great knot for macrame coasters, is the square knot. This is because it is a strong and sturdy knot. I have used this knot to make heart shape coasters and rectangle shape coasters.
I love add macrame coasters to my home decor for a little bit of a boho vibe!
Craft Fairs
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with craft fairs!
I love attending them and seeing all the gorgeous bits for sale, but having my own stall is something I sometimes dread!
It is an absolutely great way to get your products seen by potential customers, and is also a brilliant way to get yourself seen as an artist and grow a following by hanging out business cards and adding people to your mailing list.
It just very much depends on the location, the organiser and the type of customers it draws in. For example I have certain locations that I won’t return to because I know that the customers there are interested in my items and are not willing to pay my prices.
Whereas there are other events I can attend where I know I will sell a lot, because my ideal customer will be there.
If you are a small business owner, I would always recommend giving lots of craft fairs a go because this will give you the opportunity to see where your items sell best whilst giving customers an opportunity to get to know you. This is what I did when I first started, so now I can be a little more selective and pick events that I know work well for my business.
I hope you have enjoyed my third instalment of my A to Z of Macrame series. I’m absolutely loving doing lots of research and learning more about macrame myself. I’m excited to see what else I can uncover and the series progresses.
See you next time for D!
Gemma 💛
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