Hello! Macrame E-Book

Pepperell Braiding Company

• Herausgeber: Design Originals
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Seitenzahl: 43

Beschreibung

Say hello to today's young & fun craft of macramé! Inside you'll find thirteen contemporary projects that dramatically update this vintage art.  With savvy designs for accessories and home decor, Hello! Macramé shows you how to make fabulous knotted creations using colorful macramé craft cords.Macramé is easy to learn and requires no elaborate equipment or expensive materials. All you need are your fingers, some cord, and this book to get started making stylish rugs, plant hangers, purses, and more. Step-by-step illustrations and instructions guide you through every stitch. So grab some cord and let's get knotty!

Leseprobe

Contents

Introduction

What is Macramé?

Getting Started

Projects

Market Tote

Messenger Bag/Laptop Case

Simple Braided Rug

Patchwork Rug

Circle Swirls Rug

Nautical Place Mat

Hanging Candleholders

Retro Plant Hangers

Covered Cushion

Hanging Chair

Hammock

Introduction:

Macramé is the art of tying knots in cord or similar materials to create decorative items. It has a long history, likely originating with Arabic weavers, and has experienced popularity around the world at countless times in history. Both the United States and Europe experienced a macramé craze in the 1960s and 1970s as it grew to be a popular craft. The most prevalent macramé items, found in most homes, were the plant hanger and the macramé owl, but other projects like lampshades, jewelry, clothes, and wall hangings were also popular. At the height of the trend, Vogue magazine produced a book on macramé, bringing it into the world of high fashion.

With all the different types of cord available on the market today, macramé is again becoming popular as an incredibly versatile craft. Knot tying can be done with hundreds of different materials, from embroidery floss, ribbon, and yarn to hemp, cotton rope, and braided craft cord. Furthermore, the range of macramé projects is virtually endless. Thin embroidery floss can be combined with decorative knotting techniques to create delicate jewelry pieces, while thick rope can be combined with traditional marine knots to create functional items. This book takes advantage of sturdy craft cord to make home décor and other items that will withstand everyday wear and tear.

Whether you’re looking for your next home décor project or want a new fashion piece to add to your wardrobe, macramé is sure to get you what you want. Pick a project and get started!

What is Macramé?

Acquisition editor: Peg Couch

Copy editors: Sue Kern, Laura Taylor

Cover and layout designer: Ashley Millhouse

Editor: Katie Weeber

Photographer: Scott Kriner

Getting Started

Before you start work on a project, take some time to familiarize yourself with a few common techniques you will encounter throughout this book. These include basic knots and methods for splicing cords and wrapping cords neatly.

Basic Knots

These simple knots will be used throughout the book to start or finish projects and to join two colors of cord together.

About Metric

Infinity Bundles

Bundling long lengths of cord (3 yd. [300cm] or longer) together is a great way to stay organized and keep the cord from tangling. Use this quick and easy method to form an infinity bundle, which will keep your cord tangle free and accessible at all times.

1| Loop one end of the cord around your thumb on top of your palm. Bring the rest of the cord across your palm and pass it between your ring finger and pinky.

2| Bring the working end of the cord around your pinky, across your palm, and around your thumb, forming a figure eight.

3| Continue wrapping the cord around your pinky and thumb in a figure eight pattern until the working end measures 12"–24" (30.5–61cm).

4| Wrap the starting end of the cord around the middle of the bundle to hold it in place. Tuck the loose end into the wrap. When you are ready to use the cord, gently pull on the working end to release some cord from the bundle.

Recommended Materials

Macramé can be done with any number of materials, from embroidery floss, to rope, to ribbon, to yarn. Most of the projects in this book were made with sturdy braided craft cord in varying thicknesses. The author used Bonnie and Amy cord, which can be found at your local craft store. Enjoy exploring all of the different ways you can use craft cord in your macramé projects.

Splicing

Splicing allows you to join two pieces of cord together practically seamlessly. This means you can add length to a cord if you are running short, or you can splice two colors together. Use the method below with hollow cord, 4mm thick or thicker.

1| Feed the splicing tool into the hollow center of the first cord by passing the tool between the woven strands that form the cord, about 10"–12" (25.5–30.5cm) from the end. Feed the tool through the center of the cord, and bring it out 4"–6" (10–15cm) from the entry point.

2| Bring the end of the second cord through the splicing tool, and use the tool to pull the second cord through the center of the first cord.

3| Gently tug on the second cord, pulling the end into the center of the first cord.

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