by Faerl Marie Torres
macramé is making a comeback
THEY SAY IF YOU WAIT long enough all trends will eventually become new again. That is definitely the case with many crafts. Knitting, crocheting and needlecrafts have seen a major resurgence in recent years with new crafters creating designs that reflect modern trends. Another form of handmade arts finding its way into homes is macramé. While it isn’t a new invention, it has certainly made a big impression during the recent surge of hands-on hobbying.
Macramé, the textile art of tying knots using various techniques, has been around since the time of the Babylonians and Assyrians, whose carvings depicted artistic knotting. Thirteenth-century Arab weavers more functionally used it to tie loose ends, while artisans, lace makers and sailors used it in the proceeding centuries. The Victorian Era propelled macramé to broader popularity, where it adorned everyday textiles in most homes and as an embellishment for clothing.
The groovy ’70s brought macramé front and center, becoming so wildly popular it’s now ubiquitous with the time. The organic, fringy vibe of macramé seemed to embody the flower-child aesthetic and became a trademark of the era’s counterculture—in the home and as part of the day’s fashion.
Younger generations have become equally familiar with the art as it’s been appearing widely in home and clothing accessories for several years, riding a fresh wave of admiration from a new generation of makers. The beauty of macramé makes it so accessible: simplicity of materials and technique. If you can tie a knot, you can learn macramé and produce something functional and attractive. It’s aesthetically versatile for a range of interior design sensibilities. From bohemian to Scandi minimalist, refined farmhouse to midcentury modern, macramé has a place with its natural fiber, variety of knotting styles from uber-simple to ornate and optional beads or embellishments.
The tactile aspect of macramé makes it a great way to add texture to a room in big or small doses. Traditionally, the medium is undyed cotton, jute or hemp rope, but recent iterations include dyed materials and painted accents to achieve a louder, more graphic pop. If you’re still thinking of macramé owls in a nest of shag carpet, consider more contemporary design styles, including bedspreads, table runners, accent pillows, garlands, hanging chairs and chandeliers.
Whether you’ve been searching for a hobby to tie up your free time or want to buy your pieces ready-to-hang, there’s a web of local and online retailers selling the materials, kits and completed works. If you’re feeling hands-on, grab a skein of cotton rope, participate in an in-person or online class and start knotting. You may find it as pleasing to create as it is to admire.
