Macrame is a craft form that has made a spectacular comeback over the last few years. More and more items are being sold that are crafted using this texture material, knotting technique. Whilst to many it might seem like a relatively new craft that has exploded in popularity, it does actually have its roots in an ancient past. In order to get started in this craft form it is worth getting a Macrame Kit like the ones from woolcouturecompany.com/collections/macrame-kits so you can access the materials and learn the techniques you need for your chosen project.
It is thought that Macrame actually originated in the 13th Century with Arab weavers. The knots that they used on hand looms create beautifully decorative veils, shawls and towels. The knots were used to add a decorative fringe to these items. Following on from this the craft form was taken to Spain and then on to Italy which is where it gained a lot of popularity. From here it then spread across Europe and was introduced into the UK in the late 17th Century. It was introduced into Mary II’s court and it is believed that Queen Mary actually taught her ladies-in-waiting how to craft using Macrame.
During the 19th Century, sailors would use Macrame as a way to make items that they could then sell when they entered port. It was also used to make hammocks and belts. There are many pictures of sailors during this era wearing items that would have been created using macrame knots.
In the UK, macrame became increasingly popular during the Victorian era and lots of beach items, clothing and tablecloths and bedspreads were made or finished off using macrame knots. Following on from this era the popularity of the craft dwindled, until it saw a resurgence in the 1970s when bohemian stylings were incredibly popular. This popularity would only last into the early 1980s and since then there hasn’t been much call for the techniques. That was until 2019 when it appeared back in fashion and in home decorations and it has once again exploded in popularity. There are many crafters that sell their macrame items on various online channels and on social media. It is a technique that is very accessible and can be learnt fairly easily.