What is macrame art?

Macramé is an ancient art, also known as lace art or knot art. It is distinguished as one of the fine arts, and is an authentic Arab art that began with Arab weavers in the thirteenth century, and then spread to Spain, Italy and all over Europe. The art is considered one of the hand-made arts, and many people are keen to acquire macramé crafts as one of the aesthetic aspects of their homes. This art is included in all forms of decoration.

What is the meaning and origin of the word macramé?

The origin of the word macramé goes back to the word majrimiya, and this word is derived from the Arabic language, which means fringe. Some historians attribute the word macramé to the Turkish language, which means handkerchief or towel. The meaning of the word macramé in Arabic may also go back to rough lace or fringe made of threads or ropes woven in a geometric pattern.

What is the civilization in which the art of macramé first appeared?

Macramé first appeared in the Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations and was used as a type of fine art, which is in the form of fringed braids used to decorate various costumes.

How did macramé spread from Africa to Europe?

Many historians believe that the Moors or Moors are the ones who spread the art, during their travels from North Africa to Europe, especially to Spain, then moved to France in the fifteenth century and Italy in the sixteenth century, after which it spread throughout Europe, and in the seventeenth century, Queen Mary II of England admired this art and taught it to her girls.

How did sailors use macramé?

European sailors used macramé threads and knots in their daily work, using them as a means of barter between them and American travelers, in addition to weaving knotted tools such as belts and swings.

Where did macramé spread the most?

Macrame art has spread widely in England, where it has become a hobby for housewives, and many magazines have been published explaining the steps of work and the tools used in this art until no modern home is without any form of macrame, whether in curtains or table linens.

What are the basic tools used in macrame art?

The most important basic tools used in making macrame art are:

• A variety of natural or synthetic fibers.
• Wires of different thicknesses from 3-6 mm.
• Colored ropes.
• Beads.

What are the types of macrame knots?

There are dozens of macrame knots that can be used, either simple or complex knots, including:

• Half knot.
• Square knot. Top knot.
• Spiral knot.
• Clove knot.
• Gathering knot.
• Larch head knot.
• Lark head knot.
• Half spiral knot.
• Half horizontal double knot.
• Half vertical double knot.

What are the fields in which macramé art is used?

Macrame art is used in many fields, the most important of which are:

• Plant hanger.
• Jewelry.
• Clothing.
• Lampshades.
• Window coverings.
• Wall hangings.

Amigurumi art

Is the embodiment of teddy bears and dolls with threads and figures in the shape of people and crochet bags, scarves, tablecloths and capes. This art gives you a large space to design many forms of designs and decorations and many forms because macramé is the art of organizing and weaving threads, and arranging them in a tight and elegant way so that it gives an artistic form with an aesthetic appearance. Many shapes and designs can be made through threads and knots, as carpets, curtains, frames, handbags, necklaces and simple dresses are woven from them, and countless macramé decorations can be made.

Macrame art is a sophisticated and enjoyable art, characterized by simplicity and ease of design, but it can create a complete home decor that is simple and elegant and unparalleled.

Typesrty

It is a foreign art that does not exist in Egypt and a very distinctive type of art in the interweaving of threads. Through the method of this art, many and varied shapes can be designed, even if you think about forming a picture of a man or a woman. This type of art helps you greatly in various designs and is possible in clothes and clothing. This type of learning requires a lot of time and training.

Kvandoli Macrame

It is a variety of macrame used to make geometric shapes and free shapes such as fabric. The Kvandoli style is mainly based on the single knot and the half-double tie. Sometimes reversed half-ties are used to maintain balance while working on the right and left halves of a balanced piece.

One of the oldest recorded uses of the macrame knot appeared as a decoration in Babylonian and Assyrian sculptures. Braiding adorned the fashions of the time and was seen in stone figurines.

Common materials used in macramé include cotton, flax, hemp, leather, or spun thread. Jewelry is often made by incorporating knots and various types of beads (glass, wood, etc.), charms, or shells. Found objects, such as rings or gemstones, are sometimes used for pendants, either tied with wire to allow for security or tied into a network of raised knot braids. Leather or woven belts are accessories often made using macramé techniques. Most friendship bracelets popular among schoolchildren and teenagers are also made in this way.

For larger decorative pieces, such as curtains or window coverings, macramé may be started on a wooden or metal dowel, allowing dozens of cords to be spread out for easier handling. For smaller projects, pin boards are available specifically for macramé, although a simple cork board will do. Many craft stores offer beginner’s kits, work boards, beads and materials ranging in price from the hobbyist to the aspiring crafter. Vendors at parks, malls, seasonal fairs and other public places may also sell macramé jewelry and decorations.

History

Macrame Ornamental Boom

In the Western Hemisphere, macramé is believed to have originated with 13th-century Arab weavers. These skilled craftsmen knotted excess threads along the edges of loomed fabrics to create fringes on bath towels, shawls and scarves. The Spanish word macramé is derived from the Arabic word migramah, which is thought to mean “striped towel”, “decorative fringe” or “embroidered veil”. After the Islamic conquest, the art spread to Spain and Italy, especially in the Liguria region, and then spread throughout Europe. It reached England at the court of Queen Mary II in the late 17th century. Sailors made macramé in their spare time while at sea, and sold or bartered it when they reached shore, spreading the art to places like China and the New World. British and American sailors in the 19th century made hammocks, tassel bells, and belts out of macramé. The process was called “square-weaving” after the knot they used most often. Macramé was most popular in the Victorian era. Sylvia’s book Macramé Knots (1882) showed readers “how to make rich embellishments for black and colored costumes, for house-wear, garden-party, beach-walk, ball, and tuxedo; and for fancy decorations for the home and under the linen…” Most Victorian homes were decorated with this craft. Although the macramé craze has faded, it has regained popularity since the 1970s as a means of making curtains, clothing items, bed sheets, jean shorts, tablecloths, curtains, plant stands, and other furnishings. Macramé jewelry became popular among the American neo-hippies and grunge crowd beginning in the early 1970s. Using primarily square knots and granny knots, these jewelry often featured glass beads and natural elements such as bone and shells. Necklaces, anklets, and bracelets became popular forms of macramé jewelry.

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