Macrame has well and truly cast off its dusty, dated image. Once relegated to simple plant hangers and owl wall hangings of decades past, this knotting craft has undergone a sophisticated renaissance. Today, artisans are pushing the boundaries, moving far beyond basic patterns to create intricate wall hangings that rival fine art tapestries and functional pieces that seamlessly blend beauty with utility. Venturing into advanced macrame opens up a world of texture, dimension, and complex design possibilities.
While a solid grasp of the fundamentals – the lark’s head knot for mounting, the square knot for building body, and the half hitch for creating lines and curves – is essential, advanced work lies in the creative combination, variation, and manipulation of these basics. It’s about understanding how tension changes form, how different cord types create varied textures, and how negative space plays a crucial role in the overall composition. It involves moving from following patterns to designing unique creations from scratch.
Designing Breathtaking Wall Hangings
Creating a large-scale, intricate macrame wall hanging is a journey that starts long before the first knot is tied. It begins with an idea, an inspiration, perhaps drawn from nature’s organic forms, architectural geometry, or the rich textures found in other textile arts. Many advanced practitioners find sketching indispensable. Putting ideas down on paper, even roughly, helps visualize the flow, scale, and interplay of different knotted sections.
Planning and Material Selection
Consider the overall shape and size. Will it be long and narrow, wide and commanding, asymmetrical or strictly geometric? Where will it hang? The intended location might influence the choice of mounting – a smooth dowel offers a clean look, weathered driftwood adds rustic charm, while a metal hoop can frame a piece beautifully. The choice of cord is equally critical. Cotton cord remains a favourite, available in single twist (soft, easy to fray for lush fringes), braided (durable, defined knots), or 3-ply (rope-like, great texture). Cord diameter dramatically impacts the final look; finer cords allow for delicate detail, while thicker cords create bold, chunky textures faster. Don’t shy away from mixing diameters or even types of cord within one piece for added visual interest. Colour is another powerful tool, whether using naturally toned cords, incorporating pre-dyed options, or even planning sections for dip-dyeing later.
Advanced Knotting Techniques and Textures
Moving beyond rows of square knots, advanced wall hangings often feature intricate knot combinations and textural elements. The Double Half Hitch (DHH) is a workhorse for creating lines, shapes, and even filled areas. By changing the angle of your DHH lines, you can create curves, diagonals, chevrons, diamonds, and outline complex forms. Alternating square knots create beautiful netting effects. Knots like the Berry Knot or the Vertical Lark’s Head Knot introduce pops of three-dimensional texture.
Layering is another key advanced technique. You might create a base panel and then knot smaller, separate elements to attach over the top, adding depth and dimension. Incorporating non-traditional materials like wool roving, fabric strips, chunky yarn, wooden beads, ceramic elements, or metal rings can elevate a piece from craft to art. Experimenting with how tightly or loosely knots are tied also affects the texture and drape of the finished piece.
Calculating Cord Length: Always significantly overestimate your cord requirements for advanced projects. Complex knots like berry knots consume much more cord than simple square knots. It is far easier to trim excess cord at the end than to try and seamlessly add length mid-project, which is often impossible without compromising the design’s integrity.
Functional Macrame: Where Art Meets Purpose
Macrame’s potential extends beautifully into the realm of functional art – pieces designed to be used as well as admired. This requires an additional layer of consideration: structural integrity. While a wall hanging primarily needs to support its own weight, functional items often need to bear external loads or withstand regular handling.
Elevated Plant Hangers and Shelves
Even the humble plant hanger can be elevated to an advanced level. Think multi-tiered designs holding several pots, intricate cradles featuring complex knot patterns, or hangers incorporating shelves or structural rings. Macrame shelves, suspended from ceilings or walls, are increasingly popular. Designing these requires careful planning regarding weight distribution. Using sturdy cords (often thicker braided cords) and ensuring knots are tied with consistent, firm tension is paramount. The points where the shelf attaches to the macrame structure need reinforcement, often involving multiple cords or specific weight-bearing knot configurations.
Furniture, Dividers, and More
Ambitious projects include crafting macrame elements for furniture, such as chair seats or backs (usually requiring a sturdy base frame), or creating stunning room dividers and curtains. These large-scale functional pieces present unique challenges. Managing dozens of long cords requires organization – using bobbins or carefully draping cords can prevent a tangled nightmare. Maintaining even tension across a wide expanse is crucial for a professional look and proper function (especially for curtains that need to hang straight). Pattern repetition needs to be precise. For items like placemats or coasters, choosing a durable, potentially washable cord material like a cotton blend or even synthetic cord might be preferable. Bags and market totes also fall into functional macrame, demanding strong strap attachments and dense knotting for the main body to hold contents securely.
Mastering Techniques for Complex Projects
Large or complex macrame projects demand patience and specific techniques. Working vertically, perhaps hanging your dowel or support from a hook or garment rack, often makes managing long cords easier than working flat on a table. Keep your knots consistent; fluctuations in tension will be noticeable, especially in geometric patterns or functional items. Don’t be afraid to undo sections that aren’t working – it’s part of the creative process.
Adding Color and Finishing
If incorporating color through dyeing, research techniques thoroughly. Dip-dyeing requires careful preparation to achieve desired gradients or solid blocks, and preventing colors from bleeding requires proper setting. Using pre-dyed cords is simpler but requires careful planning during the initial setup. Finishing is what separates good macrame from great macrame. Secure all loose ends neatly on the back of the work, often by weaving them through existing knots with a tapestry needle before trimming close. Fringe requires precise cutting – using a rotary cutter and mat can help achieve a perfectly even edge. Sometimes, a light application of steam or a fabric stiffening spray can help the piece hang better or maintain its shape.
Developing Your Unique Voice
Ultimately, advanced macrame is about developing your own artistic style. Study the work of other fiber artists (not just macrame), look for inspiration in unexpected places, and relentlessly practice. Experiment with different cords, combine knots in novel ways, and don’t be afraid to break the “rules”. The most exciting macrame art comes from a place of personal expression, blending technical skill with a unique creative vision. Whether crafting a monumental wall hanging or a beautifully functional shelf, the possibilities are truly endless when you move beyond the basics and embrace the intricate potential of knots.
