Macrame

BCA160

Macrame
Knots and Projects
Prepared by the North Dakota 4-H Clothing Committee: Peggy Anderson Gayle Gette Merry Green Cindy Swenson Rachel Vettern Sue Wold

Macrame is a creative art that can inspire nearly anyone who enjoys doing handwork. Macrame is done by making patterns of knots with materials such as string, twine or cord. The combination of colored cords and the added beads,rings and attachments is what makes macrame an art.

North Dakota State University Fargo, North Dakota 58105

SEPTEMBER 2003

www.ext.nodak.edu/4h/4-H.htm • 1

Objectives
• Learn to tie basic macrame knots. • Create macrame works of art.

INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED (intermediate, three to four years in project; advanced, five or more years in project)
1. Learn two additional macrameknots or techniques each year you take the project. Incorporate these knots or techniques into an article you make. 2. Make two or more macrame articles which are a challenge to you and help to perfect your new skills. Intermediate projects: – Collar – Candle cradle – Purse – Wall hanging – Belt – Pillow – Place mat – Animals – Plant hanger – Project of your choice Advanced projects: – Large wallhanging – Lamp shade – Window treatment – Hanging shelf – Hanging table – Lawn chair – Hammock – Project of your choice 3. Visit a local resource person or library to locate resources for intermediate and advanced macrame work. No advanced instructions are given in this project manual. Remember the Internet as a resource site. 4. Prepare and give at least one demonstration on something you havelearned in this project. 5. If your club situation allows, assist one or more beginners with the macrame project.

Suggested Project Requirements
These are the minimum suggested requirements for beginning, intermediate and advanced levels of this project. Use the 4-H Project Plan (PA095) to record each activity as it is completed.

BEGINNER (two years or less in project)
1. Visit a resourceperson or local craft shop to obtain supplies needed for basic macrame project. It is also possible to obtain supplies and project ideas through the Internet and by mail. 2. Learn to tie four basic macrame knots (lark’s head, square, half-hitch and half-knot). 3. Make three simple macrame articles, such as those suggested below. Two projects should be made from instructions given in this projectmanual. – Mouse or small animal (sample pattern included) – Necklace (sample pattern included) – Belt (sample pattern included) – Bracelet – Simple plant hanger using two to three knots (sample pattern included) – Wall hanging – Place mat 4. Prepare and give at least one demonstration on something you have learned in the project.

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BCA160 Macrame – Knots and Projects

Working SurfaceThe working surface you use depends on the size of your project. If you choose to do a large hanging, it might be easiest to support your project on hooks on pegboard. This method will enable you to easily move your hanging higher as you work, or lower as you sit down. If you are going to macrame a smaller object such as a belt or necklace, a mounting board will aid you in securing your projectwhile you work. For learning to tie knots, select a mounting board that is at least 12 inches high and 6 inches wide. A mounting board can be made from a piece of heavy cardboard, a discarded fabric bolt, a small bulletin board or a ceiling tile. The mounting board will help you keep the size of knots and the pattern uniform. When planning a macrame project, choose a mounting board of appropriate sizefor your pattern. To help to keep your pattern even, draw lines on the mounting board in one-inch squares or use Contact® paper with one-inch squares.

are cotton and sisal. Cotton rug yarn does not give as nice an effect as other materials, but it provides an inexpensive practice material for the beginner. It is hard to tell what yarns and cords are like by looking at pictures or reading...