Macrame for beginners: instructions to make yourself

knot art
Macrame for Beginners: How to Start Your First DIY Project

The macrame technique is suitable for numerous DIYs such as tapestries or hanging baskets

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Macrame is very versatile and you can easily make various accessories such as bracelets or hanging baskets yourself. Read here what material you need and how to start your first DIY project.

At first glance, DIY macrame crafts look complicated. But there are only a few basic knots that you have to learn to master the knotting technique from the Orient. Before you start your macramé project, it is therefore advisable to take a basic course in knotting the various knots. The start requires a little patience, but you can then try out the techniques you have learned directly on your first DIY project. What you want to make is up to you, because with the macrame technique you can make a wide variety of things yourself. You can find out here which materials you need for this and which knots are available.

Macrame Instructions

If you want to start macrame knotting, you should learn the basic knots. Once you have learned the knotting technique, you can make things like bracelets, cushion covers, placemats, hanging baskets or tapestries yourself. You should know these basic knot types:

  • Cross knot or weaver knot: It is the basis of the macrame technique and is therefore also the starting knot and consists of two half knots.
  • Wave knot or granny knot: How to create spiral patterns.
  • Josephine knot: It is the most decorative knot and is reminiscent of a pretzel.

You can learn all knots for free using YouTube videos. Those who do not need visual support in the form of a video can also use macrame books. You will also receive professional support for your first macrame DIY projects in numerous workshops where you can learn the macrame technique. For example, here you can find a video with instructions for a macrame hanging basket.

Make macrame yourself: you need it

You only need a few things to get started with your first macrame project. You can buy the material in a hardware store, craft store or online, for example. It is particularly important that it is appropriate Macrame Yarn. It is best to use twisted yarn, it is easy to work with and inexpensive. Depending on the DIY project, you can choose between different yarn sizes. For example, a thinner thread may be suitable for small accessories such as key rings and a thicker thread for a hanging basket. The rule of thumb is that the thicker the yarn, the coarser the project will appear. Of course, the yarn used does not always have to be white, there are numerous colors that you can mix with each other.

One is also important sharp scissorsto cut the yarn to the appropriate length. A tape measure or a ruler can help to work accurately. Not only macrame yarn is often used, but also different ones wooden beads or rings.

Where does macrame come from?

Macrame (Spanish Macramé) describes a knotting technique that originally comes from the Orient. It is mainly used in the manufacture of jewelry and textiles. In the meantime, people around the world like to make their own knots and DIY macrame projects are very popular. The knot art as a tapestry or hanging basket is particularly popular and well-known. In Germany, macrame was last popular in the 1970s, today the knotting technique is celebrating a comeback.

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