How to Make a Simple Macramé

Bracelet

What is Macramé?

Macramé is basically knotted

patterns.

History of Macramé

Origination- 13th century Arabia- Arabic term

‘Migramah’ meaning ‘fringe’

- Decorative fringes on camels and horses which keep flies off.

- Turkish meaning ‘Makrama’ meaning ‘towel’

- Secure the ends of pieces of weaving by knotting the excess material

How the art of Macramé spread

- North Africa to Spain: brought by Moors during their conquest.

- Spread from Spain to France then throughout Europe.

- Sailors made macramé objects during off hours and sold them, spreading the art in China and the New World (America)

Popularity- Most popular in the

Victorian Era (1873-1901)- Used to make household

items such as tablecloths, bedspreads and curtains.

- Faded after the Victorian Era.

- Regained popularity in the 1970s as jewellery among American neo-hippie and grunge crowd.

- Today, as ‘paracord’ bracelets

Relevance and Benefit

Survival and Decoration

- Used by sailors, mountain climbers and survival enthusiasts.

- For decorative purposes such as bracelets, bags and rugs.

1.) You want to learn a new craft2.) You’re bored (if your tired of twitter, fb, ig

etc.)3.) When there’s no electricity.4.) You don’t have enough money for fancy gifts.5.) When you don’t have enough money for

anything else (make your own: bag, bed, rug etc.)

Do it When:

Materials Needed

- 2mm to 4mm cord material (paracord, string, yarn etc.)

- Project board and pins or tape or just ask somebody else to hold it for you (optional)

- Glue that dries clear or clear tape or fire to prevent unravelling (optional)

*Knots you will learn: Overhand Knot and Square Knot.

Procedure

STEP 1Cut 1 cord, 60 inches long. Apply tape or glue or heat the ends to prevent unravelling. Fold the cord in half and secure it at the center. To start the Overhand Knot, use both ends to make a clockwise loop.

STEP 2

Bring the ends through the loop, from below.

STEP 3

Tighten the knot slowly. Leave a 1/2-inch loop at the top. Before moving on, secure the knot to your board or work surface.

STEP 4

Curve the left end towards the right, so it's sideways.Bring the right end over the left, straight down.

STEP 5

Bring the right end under the left, and then over it further up, as you pull it to the left.

STEP 6Tighten the first half of the Square Knot by pulling on the ends. It should rest just below the Overhand knot. Curve the end now on the right, so it's sideways. Then pass the left end over the right.

STEP 7Both steps equal one Square Knot.Repeat step 4 over and over, until the Macrame bracelet measures 5 to 8 inches long, or is the size you want.

STEP 8

To make the clasp for your Easy Macrame Bracelet, use both cords to make a clockwise loop for the Overhand knot.

STEP 9Pass the ends through the loop from below. Before you tighten the Overhand knot, apply glue, so it's inside the knot.Add more glue to the outside. When it's dry, cut off the excess material.

Finished Product

The Overhand Knot fits through the loop at the other end of the Macramé Bracelet

Add other stuff like beads, shells, bells, metal clasp etc.

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