Jan - April 2015

Textile Technology
Macrame

Name: Chen Ting Yie

ID Number:2014/0592/TDE3
Department: Textile and Fashion Design
Lecturers Name: Pn Fatimah
Date of Submission: 20/4/2015

Macram is a method of creating textiles that

uses knots rather than weaving or knitting
techniques. Macram was often used by sailors
to decorate items or their ships and is also
used to create jewellery, bags, mats, plant
hangers and wall hangings. Sometimes leather
and suede are used to create macram belts
and the friendship bracelets made by many
children are created using macram.
There is a large range of knots and knot
combinations used in macram including the
square knot, half knot, half hitch, larks head
knot and coil knot. Depending on the knots
used and whether they are used alone or
combined with others many different designs
can be achieved.

General Information
FLEXIBILITY: Some cord materials are more flexible than others. You
can usually tell just by looking at the material how it bends and twists,
which is important when tying decorative knots.
Leather, for example, is very stiff, if it's thicker
than 2mm. But it maintains the shape of the knots
very well. I like to use very thin strands (1mm)
of roundleather to make bracelets and earrings.
This is a Leather Bracelet, made with Celtic
knots.

Cotton cord is usually very soft and flexible. It's

great for Macrame projects like clothing, handbags
and jewelry.
This is cotton crochet cord. The knots become very
tight, and don't usually come out.

COMPOSITION: The type of fiber used to make the Macrame cord

materials (synthetic or natural).
Certain plants are used to produce natural
materials such as Hemp, Jute, and Flax
Linen cord.
Leather is made from animal hide, so is considered
a natural material.
This is the pendant for an Owl Necklace, made
with Hemp material.
Satin cord is made from either nylon or rayon,
both synthetic fibers (man-made). It's flexible and
a great choice for jewelry, handbags, and more.
A common synthetic cord used in Macrame is
polypropylene, which is similar to nylon.

STRENGTH: Refers to the amount of weight cord materials will hold.

Needless to say, a hammock will need much stronger material than a
necklace.
Here are the two strongest materials used in Macrame:

Jute, a rough textured material, is very strong, but

cannot be exposed to sun and rain, or it will fall
apart.
It's a great choice for indoor items like plant
hangers and wall decorations.

Parachute cord, also called Paracord, is

EXTREMELY strong.
It's perfect for Macrame furniture and plant
hangers that will be outside. You can also use it for
jewelry.

TWIST: Refers to how the Macrame cord material is constructed during

the manufacturing process.
There are three types: Braided, Twisted, and
Compressed.
Braided Macrame cord will unravel less easily than
twisted material.
The twisted style is a better choice
for brushedfringe, since you will be separating
the fibers.

Compressed cord is sometimes called Lacing.

Suede is a compressed form of leather. I've seen
this style in cotton and flax as well.
TEXTURE: A description of how the material feels against the skin.
Obviously, you would not want to use Macrame
cord material with a rough texture for a necklace
or bracelet.
Silk cord is very soft, as is Satin, cotton, and
leather.

THICKNESS: Refers to the diameter, or width, of the Macrame cord

material.

The diameter of the cord is usually described in

millimeters (2mm, 4mm, etc.).
This image shows a knot made with 6mm diameter
cord, which is the standard size for Macrame.
The term Micro-Macrame is used when an item is
made using cord material less than 2mm thick.

Types of Cord Material

Here is a list of the different types of Macrame cord materials that can
be used in your projects. Most of them are not sold specifically for this
craft, so may not be be found in craft stores.
Yarn, Cotton, and Hemp are usually found in stores, but if not, there are
other places to try. Search for cord material in Thrift Stores and Yard
Sales, as well as Hardware, Garden, and Livestock supply stores.

Satin Cord: This luxurious material is made from

Rayon or Nylon, and is soft and very shiny. It can
be found in many different colors, and is often
dyed by hand.
It usually comes in 2 sizes: 1mm, sometimes
referred to as Bugtail, and 2mm diameter, which is
calledRattail.

You can use Satin Cord to make just about any type of Macrame project,
since it can be purchased in small or large quantities. Another plus is
that this material does not unravel as much as other types of Macrame

cord.
On the down side, Satin Cord is slippery, so the knots can loosen over
time. Despite that fact, I still highly recommend you try this luxurious
material.
The image above shows the Butterfly Earrings made with Satin.

Polypropylene: This is the type of cord most

often sold specifically for Macrame. It comes in
both braided and twisted forms, and can be found
in many different colors and patterns.
This material is soft and flexible, and holds the
knots very well. You can find it in 2mm to 6mm
thickness. Unfortunately, craft stores rarely carry it
anymore, and you usually need to obtain it online.

Fine Nylon: This Macrame cord

is used for Jewelry. It usually
comes in 2mm size or less, and
has a huge range of colors.
Sometimes the manufacturers
will apply a light wax coating to
make it a little easier to handle,
and to make beading easier.

Parachute cord: Also

called Paracord, this is a type of
nylon material. It's
the strongest cord available
nowadays. It's usually 2mm to
4mm size, and can be used for
just about any project, from plant
hangers to jewelry. The ends

need to be heated to prevent

unraveling.

Hemp Cord: This is the most popular material for

Macrame, and was frequently used in the 1960s.
This type of cord material is strong, so is great for
a wide variety of projects, from jewelry to plant
hangers.
Unfortunately, Hemp is only available up to 4mm
size. Anything thicker than that is considered rope,
which is very expensive.

All the natural materials, such

as hemp, jute, and flax, need
to be protected so they don't
become too dry. Place the
material in a plastic bag when
it's not in use. I recommend you
treat the cords
with beeswax before you start
tying knots.

Cotton Cable Cord: This material is a natural

fiber, and off-white in color. It is a good choice if
your project calls for strong Macrame cord, such as
in furniture and plant hangers.
It's usually found in widths of 2mm to 4mm only.

Another type of Cotton Cord is

the twisted style, which is often
found in Garden and Hardware
stores. You can purchase it in
large rolls, so it's very
economical.
Large projects using 500 yards or
more can get costly, so cord like
this is will save you money.

FINE Cotton Cord is sold as

Crochet Cord or Embroidery
Floss, and is used for MicroMacrame jewelry.

Jute: This type of cord material is strong, and used

to be the fiber of choice for Macrame. It's
biodegradable, since it is made from plants. So it
needs to be protected from the sun and weather,
or it will break down. You can get Jute in several
sizes, including 4mm and 6mm, the standard sizes
for Macrame cord.

Jute is not comfortable on the skin, so is not suitable for jewelry.

"Primitive" craft designs look great if made from this natural material.
You can find dyed Jute in several colors, but most places that carry it
have only the brown color shown in the images.

Yarn is a good choice to use as

Macrame cord. It comes in a huge
variety of colors and sizes, and holds
knots extremely well.
It's always a great choice for
children's projects since it is
inexpensive. Yarn is extremely
flexible, so keep that in mind if you
use it.

Round Leather: This material is

strong, doesnt fray or unravel, and
can be found in many colors.
You will need to use 0.5mm to 2mm
size, because anything thicker will
be difficult to knot.
Its great for jewelry, particularly if
you want to feature a single knot, as
in these Celtic Circle Earrings.

The down side to using leather is

that pins easily damage it, and
the knots will make permanent
creases.
It's important to use
the technique when working
with any type of leather cord.

Flax Linen Cord: This material is a

good choice for Micro-Macrame
jewelry. It's soft and smooth, and
feels similar to Hemp. People in
Ireland still spin this material by
hand, and it lasts a long time.

Flax Linen has been around for over 5000 years. The
ancient Egyptians used the plant's fibers to make cloth.
They wrapped their mummies with the material, which
often remained intact after hundreds of years.

Flax cord is stronger than Cotton, but can be used to make

delicate Lace and other fine fabrics. This Macrame cord
material usually has a light Beeswax coating, which softens
as it is used.

Silk: This cord material is soft and

flexible, and comes on cards or
individual strands. You can find silk
cord in 1mm diameter or less, as
well as widths up to 4mm. But few
places carry the thick material, since
it's very expensive.

Metallic Cord: This type of

Macrame cord is great for Holiday
projects, since it's shiny. It can be
made from a variety of materials,
but some forms are not as soft as
others.
Sometimes this material has a
cotton core, which is surrounded by
the metallic fiber. Be sure to treat
the ends before working with any
type of metallic cord. It unravels
easily once it's cut.

Embellishments and functional additions

Beads are often added to embellish items made using macram. Again the ones
you chose will need to be suitable for the cord being used and also fit the
function of the finished piece. Wooden beads are a common choice but there is
no reason why any other type that has a hole large enough to accommodate
cords shouldnt be used. Other items such as buttons, sequins and charms can
also be used.
When making many types of items findings or other items may be needed in
order to complete the design and enable them to be used. Examples of items
that you may use are ear wires, clasps, buckles, snap hooks, split rings, bamboo
rings and buttons.
Knotting boards
Macram knotting boards can be bought or
made in several ways. A simple board can be
made using a normal clipboard; the cords are
secured under the large clip. Another way to
create a simple board is to use a cork notice
board and pins. Thick cork tiles could also be
used in the same way. Some commercially
available boards have measurements marked
on them which are a useful feature. If you
decide to make your own board you can easily
add these using a ruler and permanent
marker. Using a macram board creates a
place to anchor your cords while working and also makes storing and

transporting projects easier. The board can be slipped into a bag and carried
easily.
Managing cord lengths
Macram projects often involve the use of many long lengths of cords, which
during working can become knotted and tangled in each other. To avoid this,
cords can be bundled up or wound around themselves and loosely knotted to
create a manageable length. As you work through the project the knot can be
untied and more cord released before retying it. The cords can also be secured
using rubber bands rather than knots.
Another method of making long cord lengths more manageable is to use small
spools known as bobbins. These can be bought online quite easily by the names
macram bobbin or Kumihimo bobbins. Cords are wrapped around these and
secured leaving a length to work with. As this length is used more cord can easily
be released from the bobbin.

How To Tie Macrame Knots

There are many types of material you can use to macrame.
The fish are made with hemp twine, and following pictures use some yarn and
ordinary twine from my kitchen.
The first knot is called the Larks Head Knot. This knot is commonly used to
secure your work.
You can use any number of things to secure your work. Above, I used key rings to
secure the fish. The key rings are one example of a holding cord.
When tying knots for a project, cords that hold the knots are also referred to as
holding cords.
The strands that tie the actual knot are called knotting cords..

How to Tie a Lark's Head Knot

Cut two stands, about the length of your arm.
1. Fold one piece of string in half
2. Thread the looped end underthe holding
cord
3. Pull the loose ends through the hoop
4. Pull tight
This is a Front Larks Head Knot.
Repeat with the 2nd Strand

This will give you 4 loose working ends, with

the knots showing in front of your work.
When you are doing a project, you might want
just the strings to show.
To do this, you make what is called a Reverse
Larks head Knot.
This is done and the same way as the Front Larks Head Knot, only this time:
1. Fold one piece of string in half
2. Thread the looped end over the holding cord
3. Pull the loose ends through the hoop
4. Pull tight
Your knot is now concealed behind the working ends.
Either knot can be used to anchor a series of working strands to the holding
cord.

How to Tie a Square Knot

Lets try some square knots.
The Square Knot is also known as the
sailor's knot, macrame knot and reef knot.
It may look complicated, but it is quite
simple because you only have to work the
two outside strands.
If you started with the Lark's Head Knot,
you should have two pieces of string,
folded in half and attached to your holding
cord.
Secure your holding cord, with the four
working strands, to your working surface.
Look at the pictures carefully - the strands
are numbered 1-4 from left to right
Secure your two middle holding cords to
keep them straight.

1. Take Strand 1 and make the start of a four, lay the

end across Strands 2 & 3
2. Lay Strand 4 straight down over the top of Strand 1
3. Bring Stand 4 under Strands 2 & 3, up through
Strand 1, and out to the side.
4. Even out the side loops, hold Strands 2 & 3 tight, as
you slide the knot up them.
5. Pull tight.

Notice how this knot looks very similar to the same one
that you use to tie your shoe.
To complete the square knot, repeat the process starting from the opposite side.
1. Take Strand 4 and make the start of a four, lay the end across Strands 2 &
3
2. Lay Strand 1 straight down over the top of Strand 4
3. Bring Stand 4 under Strands 2 & 3, up through Strand 4, and out to the
side.
4. Even out the side loops, hold Strands 2 & 3 tight, as you slide the knot up.
5. Pull tight.
Continue making your square knots to desired length, making what is called a
sinnet.

Brown Square Knot Sinnet with 3 Strands (6 Working) & Green Half Square Knot
Sinnet with 2 Strands (4 working)

Square Knot Used in Braids

Very attractive braids can be produced
using the Square Knot and the Half Square
Knot.
By repeating the Square Knot, it will
produce a flat sinnet.
By repeating the Half Square Knot, it will
produce a spiral twist sinnet.
The Half Square Knot is exactly what the
name says. Make a Square Knot; omitting
the second step.
It doesn't matter which side you start on, just make sure that you make the same
knot on the same side.
1. Take Strand 1 and make the start of a four, lay the end across Strands 2 &
3
2. Lay Strand 4 straight down over the top of Strand 1

3. Bring Stand 4 under Strands 2 & 3, up through Strand 1, and out to the
side.
4. Even out the side loops, hold Strands 2 & 3 tight, as you slide the knot up
them.
5. Pull tight.
Keep repeating to desired length.
Trick: If you want your bracelet thicker, double the number of working ends.
For example: Use 3 strands attached to the holding cord with the Larks Head
Knot. This will give you 6 working strands, which are knotted in pairs.

Square Knots Used in Cording

Alternating square knots have a wide
variety of uses. They can create a tight
box weave or a lacy open weave.
The first picture uses 8 strands, which
makes 16 working strands.
I used 10 strands of kitchen string in the
second picture, cut about the length of my arm.
1. Attach all 8 strands to your holding
cord with Larks Head Knots. This
will give you 16 working ends. You
can use any number of strands, but
your working ends must be divisible
by 4.
2. Divide the strands up into sets of 4
and make a square knot on each
set.
3. Drop 2 strands on each end, divide the rest into sets of 4, and make a
square knot on each set.
* Repeat step one, using all 20 working ends.
Repeat step two, using 16 working ends.
Continue from * to desired length.

How to Tie a Half Hitch Knot

The simplest basic working knot is the half hitch.

This knot can be tied

either from the right or
from the left, using one of
the two pieces of string
already anchored to the
holding line.
To tie from the right, hold
the left-hand strand taut,
or pin it to the working
surface, take the righthand strand, bring it across
and round behind the left
strand,
through
tighten.

Figure 2 - Right Hand Half

Hitch Knot & Figure 3 - Left
Hand Half Hitch Knot

Figure 5 - Right Hand Half Hitch

Knot Made Into Braid

Reverse
to
hand
bringing
strand
behind
strand.

thread it
the loop and
(Figure 2)
the procedure
produce a lefthalf hitch,
the left-hand
over and
the right
(Figure 3)

How to Tie Chains and Braids

Chains and braids can be made by the simple process of repeating over and over
again any of the knots you have already learned.
By repeating a right hand half hitch continuously you can produce a chain like
that shown in Figure 5.
Repeating a left hand half hitch will produce a similar chain.
If you work a chain continuously with the same type of half hitch it will naturally
tend to twist, but if you want a flat chain, just ease the knots around so that the
chain lies flat.
The alternating half hitch chain as its name suggests, is formed by alternating a
right hand and a left hand half hitch. This is shown in Figure 6.
To make any of these half hitch chains thicker, simply set on two pairs of cords
with lark's head knots, and use the strands (four working ends altogether) in
pairs.

Another way of working a chain with four working ends, using the half hitch knot,
is to anchor the two inside lines to your board with pins, and using the two
outside lines, knot a half hitch with either outside strand alternatively over the
two inner lines, which then become the core or knot bearer of the chain.
With the right-hand strand knot a right hand half hitch and with the left-hand
strand knot a left hand half hitch (Figure 7).
The simple half hitch knot may be used to produce 'cording' which can be worked
in all sorts of ways - horizontally, diagonally, vertically, in curves and in circles, to
produce numerous interesting patterns across any width you like. For example, if
you use them on a belt width, these patterns look very attractive.
Essentially the pattern achieved depends on how the knot bearing cord lies in
relation to the other working strands.
To practice cording, set on four pieces of string to your holding line, giving you
eight working strands.
These have been numbered from 1 to 8 from left to right in Figure 10.
Pin down strand 1 across the other seven strands so that it lies parallel to the
holding cord and a little below it.
With strand 2, secure a half hitch round 1 (take 2 up over 1, down behind it and
out through the loop).
Repeat this knot so that you have made a double half hitch with strand 2 round
strand 1.
Take strands 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 respectively and with each of them make a
double half hitch around strand 1.
When you have made the last half hitch with strand 8 your work should look
similar to Figure 11.
Now pin stand 1 back across the other strands parallel with the first row and
make your double half hitches around it, starting with strand 8.
Using strand 1 as the cord bearer you can repeat this pattern as many times as
you wish, though to make it any length, strand 1 much be must longer than the
others.

How to Tie a Diagonal Double Half Hitch

To work a diagonal pattern, pin the knot bearing cord diagonally across your
working strands and make a double half hitch around it in the same way as you
did before.
To make a second row, however, the next strand in order (strand 2) should be
pinned across to become the knot bearer.

Figure 12 - Diagonal Cording

The first knot on 2 should then be made with 3 and the last with 1 (Figure 12).
With a little practice you can work diamonds and X patterns simply by changing
the angle of the diagonal knot-bearing cord.

To produce a pattern of curves, pin the knot-bearing line in a curve across the
other strands and as you are knotting on to this take care not to pull the curve
out of shape.

Figure 13 - Vertical Half Hitch Cording

Another cording pattern using the half hitch is

the vertical half hitch cording in which only one
strand is used for the knot and is knotted back
and forth across the other strands to produce
the effects indicated in Figure 13.
To do this, set on three pieces of string (six
working ends) and make strand 1 eight times
as long as the others.
Hold the other strands down taut with pins and with strand 1 make a double half
hitch on strands 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
For a second row make another half hitch with strand 1 on strand 6 and work
back across the strands in order.
Getting started in the knot tying can be a trying experience, especially trying to
remember all of the numbers and strands and what goes where.
A lot of the knots and methods discussed in this hub will work with smaller
material for making your own hemp jewelry or just a braided friendship bracelet.
With a little practice you will become adept before you know it and have
beautiful work that you can wear, display or even sell to make a little extra cash.
Thanks for stopping by & Happy Crafting!
Working With Macrame Twine
When choosing your twine, make sure that the twine you choose is strong
enough, and the right diameter for the article you wish to do.
Smooth twines are the easiest to work with and give the best results.
Household string, jute garden twine, sash cord, piping cord, and dishcloth cotton
are all ideal. I used the hemp cord for the fish.
The heavy yarn used for rug making (not knitting wool), is also fairly easy to
work with, and gives effective results.
Plastic twine and plastic-covered string which comes in bright colors also give
pleasing results but are more difficult to work with as the knots can slip, giving
the work and untidy appearance.

The amount of twine needed depends on the length and width of your article, the
thickness of the twine and how complicated the pattern will be.
As a very rough guide, make sure you have about eight times the length in string
per strand of the finished article.
So, if you are making a belt with four pieces of string anchored (eight working
ends) you should cut four pieces of string eight times the length of the belt.