Macrame Rug

Macramé is being transformed from a 1970s relic into a hot, trendy art form. A fascinating fact… Given their skill at making knots, it should come as no surprise that sailors are largely responsible for spreading macramé around the world. It was a great way to pass the time and could then be bartered or sold when they docked.

This tutorial fits in perfectly into our beginner projects as it requires no tools or even fixing materials like glue, all you need is some yarn, string or cord. Scroll down where I detail the all the options.  Macramé is a form of textiles produced using knotting (rather than weaving or knitting) techniques. In this project I teach you just one knot the square knot which is one of the first knots to learn on your Macramé journey! This craft helps to find slower and mindful moments through our busy lifestyle. Often, just 10 minutes of macramé is enough to help you completely relax and let your mind wonder!

I’m sure you’ve seen some amazingly beautiful images by photographers who have used macrame rugs underneath a bowl or basket, they are so inspiring and I adore them!  I think they provide a great professional look, they can fit in with a variety of styles from boho, to shabby chic, rustic or even vintage.  I also love macramé wall hangings and plant holders… stick with me and I will be crafting more macramé projects!  This technique I’m showing you is very simple and only uses one type of knot so it’s not going to have a complex pattern like some you see, but you have to start somewhere right?

Macramé Coaster

In the video below, shown as one of our MONDAY MAKES on facebook, I show you how to make a coaster size macramé piece, it would take too long to show you a large size on video, you’d all be falling asleep!  Follow the directions below to make the coaster size, you can then experiment yourself to create a larger size suitable for your photoshoots!

Tools

• Sharp Fabric Scissors
• Ruler / measuring tape
• Masking Tape
• Comb

Materials

• Your choice of yarn, rope or cord! See below for suggestions
• 10 x 1.2 meters of your choice 
• 1x 30cm piece of string

Full tutorial and step by step knot photos available for members. Join here!

Technique

1- Fix your string with masking tape onto your table top

2- Using a lark knot place the 10 pieces of cord onto your piece of string.

3- Measure 6cm under your string and start a row of 5 square knots

4- Continue to make alternated rows of 5 and 4 square knots until you have 11 rows.

5- Cut your cords under the string and then measure 6cm under your last row of square knots and cut all lengths of cord

6- Unravel each of the cords on both sides then with the help of a comb brush them into a beautiful fringe!

In the video I’m using 100% recycled cotton cord, also known as macramé rope or macramé cord. This one is 3mm and single twist. It’s so super soft and smooth and creates beautiful fringes and tassels!

Try Different Materials

These photos show the different types of yarn or cord you could use for macramé. Really think about the style of your photoshoot or room you might be using a macramé project for. This will determine the type and colour of your chosen material. Using simple materials like cotton twine, jute, hemp, or yarn, macramé can be as simple or complex as you would like.

Traditionally macramé is created with macramé cord or rope. Standard projects will typically require cords that are 3 mm to 6 mm thick, the best being single strand high quality Cotton Cord for its soft feel and ease of knotting, along side effortless fringing.

The 4 balls are 100% Recycled Cotton Macrame Cord 5mm single twist. The teal spool is 3mm and the pink is 3ply 5mm.

Jute or Hemp string 3mm and 4mm.

Various chunky yarn, singles or plied.

T-Shirt Yarn, the spool is commercially bought recycled cotton called “Zpagetti” or you can make your own t-shirt yarn by recycling an old t-shirt (tutorial to come!)