Macrame: what is it, types of knots and patterns of weaving

It is not in vain that the fashion, including the interior, is compared with a chest, where they put things for years: when it is stuffed to the top, it just needs to be turned over, and what was from below can be worn right now. Fashion really goes in circles. And if you look closely at the interiors of the 60s, you will see how the outlines of that furniture are guessed in the setting of modern salons.

Everything is exactly the same with the decor: the once popular art of weaving macrame gains its former glory. And those who are a fan of boho style, Scandinavian and not only want to get a beautiful panel of fancifully woven knots.

The word "macrame" has Arabic roots, it can be translated as fringe, braid or lace. If to speak simply, then macrame is a nodular weaving. Creating panels, decorative products in this technique involves the use of different materials: different thicknesses and structures of threads using additional plastic, metal, wooden parts.

Previously, there was no synthetics, so only natural materials were taken for macrame, the most popular of which was linen. To this day, lace is woven mainly in light shades, natural, natural. All materials for future work should be strong, curl well and not tear when weaving.

In addition to threads, a needle, a ruler, clamps, a spindle, as well as a hook, pads can come in handy. You may need some glue. If you are just starting, you will only need strong threads, not the thinnest twig and scissors. Subsequently, the list of tools will expand.

But the beautiful macrame is that even simple works in this technique that younger students can do are self-sufficient, convincing in their simple but elegant aesthetics. And most importantly, they are consonant with the time, which is increasingly replacing plastic and complex decor from the home, replacing it with manual creativity.

It would probably be right to say that it began from the time a person first made a knot. The fundamental stage in the development of macrame should be considered the time when a person actively plowed the sea in the already serious construction of ships. It is to the sailing fleet sailors that we owe the appearance of this weaving technique: sailors, on duty, should have been able to weave different types of sea knots (of which there were about 4 thousand). In his spare time from the main activity, sailors braided bottles, flasks, knife handles.

The macrame technique, one might say, was invented by men, and today more and more representatives of the stronger sex continue the business of enterprising sailors. And it is not in vain that there are so many references specifically to the people of this profession: until now, the very base of the knots used in macram uses the very sea weaves.

But to say that no one other than the "sea wolves" was not fond of openwork nodular weaving, is also impossible. As soon as a person began to make nets for fish and birds, he predetermined the appearance of macramé. Because this type of handicraft is one of the most ancient, natural, democratic. No need to graduate from art school to master macramé. There is no suitable age to get carried away with it. People of different nationalities, age, gender, wealth can be successful in this matter.

Macrame is based on the Hercules knot. This is the first thing that beginners learn. Work always begins with it.

1. Take a pair of strong threads of 10 cm, rotate them vertically, fixing the upper ends with a pin.
2. Get that thread that on the right, under the left - something resembling a loop will come out. Pull the left thread into it. Tighten this knot.
3. Next, fasten another 2 threads, in total we already have 4.
4. The horizontal thread is needed for fastening. Then comes the base - the second and third threads. They tighten the knots.

Types of nodes are diverse. Be sure to weave a place for a flat knot. The right working thread is wound under the warp and the left thread. That already stretches through the formed loop. If you do two more of these knots, you will see that they are turning slightly to the left, but this is normal. Next, do four more knots, your left-side chain will come out.

There is also a square flat knot. On the basis of it, you need to place two threads, create the first flat knot, after completing weaving, make a two-sided lock. A square knot does a good job of creating interesting patterns: two threads are fixed on the base, the first and second flat knots in alternation, when alternating flat knots you get a square.

And this is only the beginning of the study of weaving - the further, the more interesting.

The first and most important thing that is in macramé is threads. The thicker they are, the more they need to work.

What are the threads.

• Reinforced. These are thin cotton threads that are often needed for a fan that requires regular washing. Such threads are usually used by already experienced macrame masters.
• Perle. Their big plus is a wide color gamut, they are sold in 9-gram skeins. Excellent, this thread spins into thinner strings and goes well with a mouline thread.
• Lurex. So called silvery and golden threads. Lurex makes interesting bracelets, key rings, various jewelry of this kind. You can make products with beads, weaving beads, etc. For beginners it is too early to work with them, but subsequently, lurex can come in handy.
• Yarn. An optimal and inexpensive choice for beginners, such threads are presented in a wide assortment and are sold in any department store. Usually, masters buy threads that are used to crochet lace.
• Cords. They mean everything that initially may not serve for creative purposes at all, but it’s also good for needlework - from twine, from jute rope, you can make beautiful panels that even gorgeous knitted yarn will give way to.

Need for work and a hard pillow base, mandatory for beginners. Previously, sawdust or sand was placed inside it. Today, a foam sheet can replace a cushion; threads are fixed to it with simple pins. In any hardware store, you can purchase compact foam sheets.

There is a way even easier: you need to take a stationery tablet with a clip. And to make the strings easier to attach, place a small paper stack under them. In order to fix individual components, you need pins: long, durable (great if they will be with plastic heads).

The set for macramé should have scissors, a ruler, possibly crochet hooks. If you are making panels, collect some beautiful twigs - they can simply be dried and trimmed, or you can be painted in the color of your interest.

When all the materials are ready, and you are determined to begin work on the study of macramé, cut the desired number of threads. The length is calculated as follows: about 6 times, it should be longer than the expected height of the work. The ends of the thread must be scorched with a soldering iron or just a lighter.

If you are just starting, and even in your school years knitting has bypassed you (including baubles), do not immediately try to make a meter panel on your wall with your own hands. Start with small works that will fill your hand in knotting: bracelets, earrings - this is a good start. Your first product made in the evening using the basics of macrame technique - a shambhala bracelet.

Technique for making a bracelet.

1. We cut two segments from the thread hank - 40 and 80 cm. What exactly will be the length of the working thread depends on the circumference of the wrist. A short cut is the basis, a long one is the working thread. Tie them together with a simple knot.
2. Swipe the right tip in front of the base, then swipe over the left tip.
3. Leave the left tip of the working thread over the working part under the right. Go straight into the loop, tighten. Repeat the maneuver only starting from the left.
4. As soon as 3-7 knots are tied, a beautiful bead must be strung on the main thread. And in this way, go to the end of weaving.
5. A good lock will be a durable carbine. But if you are making a real Shamballa bracelet, you need a strictly thread lock. To the end of the working thread, tie a new knot in a simple knot (40 cm) and weave it according to the “mantra” method: right under / above the left, under / above the left. But do not tighten very much: the bracelet should not be tightened tightly.

Next, you need to practice according to the schemes-pictures. You print them out, fix them on a solid foundation (this, of course, is optional, but convenient to use) and work out all the patterns, tricks, pigtails separately. But don't untie it right away: save these samples. This is exactly how the hand is stuffed.

Those who say that macramé is a hobby of grandmothers and in general the last century simply expose their ignorance. Nothing like this! The best designers resort to macrame products to make their interiors look flawless. Items made in nodular technique can be the main decoration of the house.

Finally, boho is one of the kings of the interior today, almost impossible to imagine without macramé.

Let's look at examples.

• In the interior of boho macrame can take leading positions. Boho - it is several directions with common roots. Boho classic - an abundance of velvet, velveteen, rustic wool, lace. Boho glamor is guipure, chiffon in many layers, bows, furs, flowers. Boko-eco is all natural with sophistication, environmental friendliness, lots of details. But boko hippies are a lot of knitted, fringe, sheepskin and burlap. Because here mural macramé and various pendants are perfect.
• New solutions. If your apartment does not have a distinct style and, rather, the interior gravitates to the Scandinavian, macram will also be appropriate. You can do something like a wall-mounted carpet (which really looks more like a carpet than a mural) and hang it in the bedroom above the bed. A good replacement for the picture, associated with warmth, a hearth and something from a village childhood.
• Macrame ornaments are also used to create lampshades for floor lamps and other lamps.. In modern design, this is more than relevant, because it is hand-made, not stamped, because all sophistication is in simplicity, because it will not go out of fashion like a true classic.

Small modest panels made with children can decorate the nursery. Most likely, the child will remember this work forever and will be with awe to this little cute particle of his room.

Or you can knit a cover for a sofa cushion using simple macrame tows. You can even weave small rugs based on the macrame technique. They will look great in the bedroom and in the kitchen.

To be inspired, draw beautiful, but feasible ideas, dive deeper into the world of macrame, it is worth considering several interesting works in this technique.

Let's start with pigtails - this is one of the main elements of macramé, which not everyone can do right away, on a hunch.

• Common braid. It consists of three threads - the first thread on the left is thrown on the second, and now the first becomes the second, and vice versa. The third thread goes in a way to the second. Weaves until the braid reaches the required length.
• French braid. There can be any number of threads. Of all the strings, it is necessary to distinguish three central ones, make one element of an ordinary braid out of them, then weave it, only with a new peroxide of the main thread, adding a new extreme one.
• "Fish tail". It can be woven from any number of threads. The essence of weaving is dividing the threads into two parts, throwing each part to the center. The two strings in the center will constantly change in groups.

And now a brief overview of interesting and uncomplicated works, which, after a short training session, will be submitted to beginners in macram.

1. Sovushka. The topic of owls in the weaving technique is certainly not deprived of attention. Such works are very popular with both children and adults. This owl is not the easiest, but you will not call it difficult either. Weave it in a few hours can even be someone who recently began to master macramé. Find a thick, artistically expressive branch, take a thick cord for weaving and soon a bird of wisdom can settle in your house.
2. Shelf holder. In any room, this shelf with a textile holder will look cute and cozy. Please note: complex nodes are almost never used in the work, the scheme is standard. For decoration, wooden balls were taken, which can be any number.
3. Boho style panel. Such a not very large panel can decorate the wall in the bedroom or even the space of the kitchen-dining room. It will look good on the sofa in the living room.A linen shade is most preferred, although you can change it to suit the design of your home. For example, a panel of blue threads looks great on white wallpaper.
4. Dream Catcher. This is also macrame, and also a very fashionable interior accessory today. You will need a strong blank circle and thick threads. The author of the catcher uses feathers as an addition to the thread base, you can also attach pieces of coarse fabric, shells, wooden balls, etc.
5. Bright panel. A great example of how chic macramé made with bright threads looks. Very simple knots, weaving is strictly according to the pattern: unpretentious flowers in the decor and abundantly released threads. Beauty is easy!

This is a very timely desire, because there is nothing more beautiful than the cradle knitted using the macrame technique. Look how great they look, how soulful and cute these baby cradles are made. And there is nothing super complicated in their manufacture.

First, macrame lovers weave according to patterns, follow video tutorials and master classes, evaluate each knot and calculate how much is left. Then internal patterns appear, which even without patterns help to create symmetrical and beautiful author's works.

About how to weave panels on the wall, see the video below.