The A to Z of Macrame: D is for…
- Gemma Gilbert
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Hello and welcome back to my blog post series; The A to Z of Macrame. Since I stumbled upon the art of macrame, I have had a thirst to learn as much as I can about the subject, but actually found very little out there in terms of a real deep dive. That’s when I decided on writing my own blog series where each month I sit down and really delve into everything there is to know about macrame, and to make life easier, we are working with one letter each month!
This month we are looking at the letter D.
Believe it or not but at the time of writing this, I am actually sitting outside in sunny Ibiza, the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the air of full with music, splashing and the sound of children’s screams and laughter as they enjoy their holidays with their families around the pools. Not my usual spot for writing but it’s our last day today and I’m staying in the shade and relaxing, which felt like a perfect opportunity to sit and write about my favourite subject!
So without further ado, let’s get started!
D is for…
Double Half Hitch Knots
Arguably one of my all time favourite macrame knots, the double half hitch takes a little time to get to grips with but once mastered, can create the most beautiful and satisfying designs.
The double half hitch knot is considered an ancient knot, with early forms appearing in traditional knot usage for shipping, farming and other applications involving securing ropes. It is essentially a pair of half hitches (simple overhead loops) tied around a guide cord or object to secure the working cord in place.
The knot is also referred to as a clove hitch, full hitch or two half hitches. The first half hitch secures the position and the second half hitch locks it in place and prevents slipping.
The double half hitch can be used in various ways in macrame art. Tying the knot verically lends itself well to decorative patterns in wall hangings. Tying the knot horizontally can make a pixel art effect. It can be used to create all sorts of patterns and shapes; such a versatile knot!
Dowels
Wooden dowels are an essential item to use as a foundation for your macrame wall hanging. They are really easy to get hold of and come in a huge variety of sizes and diameters. A wooden dowel is a cylindrical rod made out of wood and is usually smooth and straight.
I usually buy mine from DIY shops or online and I tend to use diameters around 2cm so they are a nice strong foundation for my macrame.
When using thicker dowels, do make sure you take this into account when measuring your cords as you'll need to add in enough to go round the dowel as well.
Choose a smooth, splinter free wood; you can sand and seal it if needed. Then pick a diameter based on your project. You can paint, stain or wrap your dowel with yarn or twine to match the colour scheme of your project. Always cut the dowl slightly longer than the planned finished width of your macrame piece as it looks balanced and gives space for hanging loops of strings.
I use bamboo canes as dowels for my macrame work as well as it is strong, easy to cut and sustainable. Plus it is fairly cheap to buy.
Dyeing Cords
Dyeing cords for macrame is a creative way to make your projects unique. You can add subtle ombre fades, bold colour blocks or multicolour patterns that make your wall hangings, plant hangers, or accessories stand out beautifully.
Dyeing macrame cords means colouring the rope or string using synthetic or natural dyes. This will allow you to control the colour palette and add depth and texture to your macrame work.
Natural fibers absorb dye beautifully, synthetic fibers do not. The best materials you can use to dye are ones which are 100% cotton cord, jute or hemp, and wool or linen. You are best to avoid polyester, nylon or acrylic cords as these will resist most fabric dyes and can end up blotchy.
Commercial fabric dye brands such as Rit, Dylon or Tulip are easy to find and are great for vibrant and consistent colours. Plus they come in a wide range of colour options.
A more eco friendly options would be using natural dyes made from plants, fruits or spices. A few examples include:
Turmeric - will turn materials a golden yellow
Beetroot - pink/red
Avocado Skins/pits - blush pink
Red Cabbage - purple/blue
Coffee or Tea - warm brown
The natural dyes will get a more subtle, organic tone which will be beautifully unique.
There are many different methods for dyeing your macrame cords;
Dip Dyeing - perfect for an ombre or gradient effect. Submerge only part of your cord or finished piece into the dye. Hold it longer in the dye for deeper colour nearer the bottom, and slowly lift it out for a smooth fade.
Full Immersion Dyeing - for an even, all over colour. Soak the entire cord in dye and rinse and dry thoroughly before using. This is will product coloured cord to use later.
Brush or Spray Dyeing - for a more artistic effect. Use a paintbrush or spray bottle to apply dye directly to your work. You can create colour blocks, patterns or blended transitions.
Post Dyeing (after knotting) - Yes! You can dye after finishing your macrame piece. This will give a softer, natural fade because the knots will absorb the dye differently. This method is often used for wall hanging to give them a boho, weathered look.
Are you going to give this a go? I've never tried this myself but after researching the subject I'm definitely inspired to give it a try.
Dreamcatchers
A macrame dreamcatcher is a a handmade wall hanging that blends a circular frame with knotted cords arranged in decorative patterns.
Traditionally dreamcatchers come from Indigenous North American culture; they were believed to filter dreams by letting good dreams pass through whilst trapping bad ones in the web until daylight cleared them away.
Modern macrame versions take inspiration from that sacred form while focusing on more aesthetic and artistic expression.
Macrame dreamcatchers have become very popular because of the beautiful blend of bohemian and spiritual aesthetics. They are a great way to learn macrame knots and are perfect for nurseries, bedrooms and gift making.
That rounds up the blog post for today. I actually found it quite tricky with this letter, I found it hard to find things beginning with D! If there is something I've forgotten about then please let me know in the comments!
Thank you so much for reading my blog and I'll see you again when we discuss all things beginning with E.
Gemma x
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