Macrame for Home Decor E-Book

Samantha Grenier

• Herausgeber: Fox Chapel Publishing
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Seitenzahl: 111

Beschreibung

Macramé for Home Decor shows how easy it is to make upscale, modern home décor using natural macramé craft cords. Readers will discover the 12 essential knots they need to create gorgeous macramé. 40 stylish projects range in skill levels from easy to advanced, so there's something here for everyone. This book is filled with cool, contemporary ideas for rugs, throws, coverlets, room dividers, boho plant hangers, and much more. Mixed-media projects are also included that incorporate fun and interesting materials like beads and rings. Step-by-step illustrations, clear instructions, and beautiful color photographs make macramé simple and fun.

Leseprobe

© 2019 by Samantha Grenier and Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552.

Macramé for Home Décor is an original work, first published in 2019 by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc. The patterns contained herein are copyrighted by the author. Readers may make copies of these patterns for personal use. The patterns themselves, however, are not to be duplicated for resale or distribution under any circumstances. Any such copying is a violation of copyright law.

Print ISBN 978-1-56523-951-7eISBN: 978-1-60765-544-2

The Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the Library of Congress.

Photos from Shutterstock.com: ivan_kislitsin (2–3); hilalabdullah (4–5 center, 10 bottom right); pronpawit (7); Babich Alexander (8 bottom left); mayu85 (8 bottom right); rawf8 (scissors 9); superelaks (measuring tape 9); design56 (gloves 9); Mega Pixel (masking tape 9); Sinem Babacan (10 top); bogdan ionescu (10 bottom left); iMoved Studio (dowel rod 11); xpixel (tree branch 11); New Africa (bamboo stick 11); chrisbrignell (driftwood 11); yul38885 (bleached driftwood 11); Tanya Sid (paper clips 11); Kathy Burns (crochet hooks 11); and MskPhotoLife (orange thread 11).

Project photography by Mike Mihalo.

Author photo on here, © 2015 Daniel Mathieu (www.DanielMathieuPhoto.com).

A special thank you to the Poplar Place (@poplar.place.lancaster) for allowing the use of their beautiful home to style all project photography.

To learn more about the other great books from Fox Chapel Publishing, or to find a retailer near you, call toll-free 800-457-9112 or visit us at www.FoxChapelPublishing.com.

We are always looking for talented authors. To submit an idea, please send a brief inquiry to [email protected].

Contents

Introduction

Supplies

Tips and Tricks

Knot Guide

Projects

Home Décor

Comfy Chair

“Flannel” Footrest

Freestanding Room Divider

Granny Square Lampshade

Chalkboard Hanging Tray

Hanging Photo Gallery

Pillow Coverlet

Geometric Window Valance

Tassel Reading Nook

Tutu Chandelier

Mats

Honeycomb Mat

Patch Scrap Mat

Small Lattice Weave Mat

Ultra-Plush Mat

Windows Placemat and Gradient Block Coaster Set

Plant Hangers

Three- or Four-Strand Base Design

Double Herb Holder

Switch Knot Embellishment Hanger

Wavy Embellishment Hanger

Air Plant Hanger

Braid-Braided Hanger

Josephine Twist Hanger

Lacy Ribbon Hanger

Raindrop Hanger

Ribbon Globe Hanger

Stitched Plant Hanger

Twinkle Plant Hanger

Wall Hangings

Boho Owl

Bright Banners (Three Ways)

Cotton Candy Dream Catcher

Feathered Hanging

Mock Stockinette Tapestry

Kite Tail Curtain

Giant Dreams

Knotty Owls

Layered Birch Hanging

Mini Sweater Hanger

Owlet Garland

Resources

About the Author

Introduction

Macramé has some extensive ancient roots, but it went into dormancy after a brief craft boom in the 1970s. Sure, sure, there have always been a few knot tyers around, but the general focus turned to knitting and crochet, then onto making cute and kitschy plush toys. Only recently has macramé been creeping back onto the scene.

Fancy materials are not required for macramé. It doesn’t need to be expensive either. Cotton is a favorite material of mine and many other knot tyers out there, but it can be pricey. There are alternatives, such as poly blends, hemp, or jute. If the project is not going to bear any weight (such as with a wall hanging), yarns may be used as a substitute. In this book, I list a few alternate materials that can be used project-to-project. The main objective for this book is that something beautiful can be made with materials sourced inexpensively and locally.

NOTE TO BEGINNERS

Tackle any project! Sit down with a couple rolls of cotton crochet yarn and test out each knot. The more you practice, the easier the projects will be.

NOTE ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY LEVEL

I ranked these projects from level 1 to level 3 based on the quantity of knots used and commitment time required to complete. None of the projects in this book are especially difficult to pull off because all the knots practiced on their own are straightforward.

KNOTTING WITH CORD

I use both universal yarn weights and cord diameters throughout this book. To measure the cord thickness, hold a ruler across the cord to capture the diameter.

When working with longer lengths of cord, form butterfly infinity bundles to prevent tangling. This will also shorten the length of working strands so that you’re not endlessly tugging on a piece of string to complete a single knot.

TENSILE STRENGTH

Tensile strength refers to how much weight a cord can bear before tearing. This is something to keep in mind while making plant hangers and swings. Hangers are typically suspending the weight of whatever it’s hanging. When suspending a plant, bear in mind the weight of the potted specimen when it’s watered, plus the weight of the pot. As a safety precaution, it is best to keep potted plants under 12" (30.48cm) wide. Suspending the hanger from a stable hook is a must, too. The plant hanger depends on the stability of the ceiling mount just as much as the strength of the cord itself.

Most cords purchased through hobby and craft shops don’t offer tensile weight notations, but recommendations are noted for each project in this book. Suggestions are often noted for type of cord (such as acrylic yarn or cotton braid) and either the yarn weight (worsted, bulky, etc.) or thickness measurement. Projects using thinner cords often require a number of strands that will be combined with knotting or braiding to stabilize the finished piece.

Supplies

Working Surfaces and Suspension Options

Project Boards: Typically pre-labeled with measurements, these boards are quite handy. Some are hard and sturdy, some are soft and foamy, while others are self-healing. Project boards are a necessity if your project requires stability. They usually take tape and pins equally well. Sometimes they can be limiting by scale. Often, they are best to use when working on a smaller scale, such as with jewelry projects. The grid and measurements help keep patterns consistent, especially while tying netting and straight rows.

For the projects in this book, I used a large (3' x 3' [1 x 1m]) corkboard purchased from a local craft shop. It doesn't have a preprinted grid, but it is large enough to keep projects neat and stable as I worked.

Foam Core and Cardboard: Need a substitute for to a project board? Foam core and cardboard may be handy. They are not self-healing and may not keep the pins super steady, but measurements can be added by hand and they are often available at a moment’s notice. Just be sure when using thinner boards and foam core that you don’t pierce the pins straight through the back of your board. That will result in an “ouch!” Pins may not always be necessary, however.

Pillows: Again, these are best used in smaller projects. Pillows don’t need to be bulky. I make mine here with just a little batting and foam board. The flat side keeps the board steady while I’m working with the plush side, which acts as cushioning as I work with the foam/flat surface. I simply glued a piece of foam core to a lap desk. Pins won’t pierce straight through to the board, but I’m able to tape and pin with a self-drawn grid. While a pillow may not take tape or T-pins so well, it can grip a sinnet strand with safety pins nicely. It beats pinning a project to the pant leg. It’s still mobile if you need to travel with your project.

Hooks and Lines: What about large hanging projects? You have a number of options for these if working directly on the floor or table (just don’t cut it):

•S-Hooks: These can be found in a variety of sizes from a local hardware store, garden center, or plant nursery. S-hooks can be suspended from a hook attached to the ceiling, or suspended from rail, door, or back of a chair.

•Wreath Hanger: Readily available around the holiday season, wreath hangers offer a stable hook to suspend a work-in-progress. This is especially handy for tying longer projects, which enable a comfortable seated or standing position.

•Temporary/Roll-Away Garment Rack: Coupled with a few S-hooks—or just loosely tied to the bar—a garment rack offers a wide and stable suspension zone for working or storing finished projects. Garment racks of all sorts can be found in the home organization departments of most major retailers.

Essentials

T-Pins: T-pins are recommended companions to work with the project boards because they are not as clunky as thumbtacks or pushpins.

Scissors and Shears: Scissors can be used for every project attempted from this book, but if you plan to use a coarse cord, such as jute or sisal, you may want to use gardening pruners to make cuts to keep from damaging the blades from your favorite trimmers.

Measuring Tape or Ruler: Every project in this book starts with a specific amount of cord. The rulings are shared in both imperial and metric systems. Please choose one and stick with it throughout the pattern.

Tape: In this text we will not be using tape to tack down our projects, so much as using the tape to make cuts to cord ends. This is especially handy for use on twisted materials. It keeps the cord from unraveling while you work. At the end of your completed piece, adding a dab of clear-drying glue will keep the ends tidy and permanent. What type of tape do you need? Any tape you have on hand should work okay, including temporary-hold or washi tape. If you end up cutting the taped bits of your work off, you would be losing maybe up to ¼" (0.61cm), so the stronger the tape, the better.

Glue: One of the best things about needlecrafts is that glue isn’t a necessity. Glue is used in this text for the sole purpose of finishing rope ends to prevent them from fraying. Clear-drying fabric glues will have the best hold. If a project (such as a wall hanging) isn’t going to be subjected to water, everyday school glues will work just as well.

Extras

Gloves: Working on an extensive project like a large rug can be taxing on your hands. If you work with an especially wiry/hairy/coarsely textured cord, such as jute, working gloves may be flesh saving. No need to rub your skin raw for lovely home decor!

Beads: Macramé beads can be hard to come by. Most are made up of wood, but ceramics can be found if you look closely. The only measure for a bead you need to note is the size of the hole required for threading. Hole sizes of 6 to 10mm on beads are a rare find in jewelry stores, but they can be found. Typically with ceramic and stone style beads, you may need to take to the Internet to find just the right size. Keep in mind that beads are usually measured using metrics, as it’s the most universal form of measurement.

If you find yourself in a pinch for beads, polymer clay and fast-drying clay can be used for making your own. The Internet is loaded with tutorials for making faux-stone beads using just a couple colors of polymer clay. DIY beads offer you the ability to customize the hole size and bead scale all at once. It can be a little extra work, but you would be fashioned with a truly custom and one-of-a-kind project. Same goes for if you find the most perfect bead, just not in the right color. Spray paint comes in a large variety of colors and can also be used against any number of surfaces.

Rings: Rings come in all types of surfaces, from metal to wood. While they can be difficult to come by, stocking up on 1 ½" to 2 ½" (3.81 to 6.35cm) sizes are ideal when working with plant hangers. Most plant hanger projects can be modified to skip over the use of a ring (see here), but they are quite handy and a quick starting point for such projects. In a pinch, embroidery hoops can be used as substitutes. The wood of embroidery hoops is quite light, so reserve the use of hoops to lighter macramé projects. Hula Hoops® are an excellent option when a larger ring is needed for a project. They're particularly useful when you're creating wall hangings and giant dream catchers (see here).

Dowels and Rods: Wooden dowels are readily available at your local hobby, craft, and hardware shop, but mother nature also offers a plethora of twigs, branches, and driftwood that can be used as project supports.

Splicing Tools: Splicing tools can be used to help extend the length of a cord whenever the use of a knot may be too cumbersome. These tools can be difficult to find, so here are a few substitutes:

• Crochet hook

• Beading tool

• Trombone paper clip or piece of floral wire (formed into a hook)

Sewing Supplies: