Macrame: The Craft of Creative Knotting for Your Home

by Fanny Zedenius, Kim Lighbody (Photographer)

In recent months there has been an astonishing resurgence in the striking yet simple craft of macramé (first made popular in the 1970s). In Macramé, Fanny Zedenius offers a refreshing twist on the addictive craft. Beginning with the basics, she takes us through all the essentials: what you need to get started, a glossary covering 30 of the most popular knots, tips on how to create different patterns through various knot combinations, and advice on how to hang and display your makes. The book also takes readers through ombre-dyeing, fraying, and customizing with beads, and includes fully illustrated step-by-step instructions for 22 homeware projects such as impressive wall hangings, a beautiful table runner and napkins, whimsical dream catchers, and pretty plant hangers.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, Art, How To, Lifestyle

143 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Fanny Zedenius is a fiber artist in Stockholm, Sweden. She makes and teaches macramé in addition to selling rope and other macramé supplies for a living. Fanny started making macramé back in 2014 and soon after started her small business Createaholic. In the past 10 months she has transitioned her business into her full time work.
Her book, Macramé – the craft of creative knotting for your home was launched in June, 2017 and since then it's landed in the hands of creatives all over the world, including ours! We were inspired by Fanny's story so we wanted to dig a little deeper and share it with you all!

Reviews

[Cheryl]

Almost worthless. How many different plant hangers. dream catchers, and wall hangings does one need? A reviewer who liked it said that it doesn't tell you how to adjust for different sizes... isn't that key? Well, at least, unlike the others I've looked at, it doesn't call for a board... I suppose because of the limited variety of projects.

I do have to admit that if I saw an Eden dreamcatcher at a fair or fundraiser I'd probably buy it. I just love trees....

August 2021

[Mikie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tydliga instruktioner, bilder och förklaringar, informativ för nybörjare. Skulle dock önskat beskrivning av hur en beräknar replängd till projekt. Projekt av varierande svårighetsgrad och en bok jag kommer låna igen framöver.

[Emily Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really clear instructions and great design inspiration

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made the curtain (toward the end of this book) and love it!!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The photographs are gorgeous, the knot gallery was very helpful, illustrations were clear to me as a beginner/intermediate knotter, and I enjoyed the content and layout overall.

The main thing it’s missing is information on how to adjust the patterns for hanging planters to accommodate different size pots, and generally how to determine cord length for designing your own projects.

[Victoria B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique macrame book for all levels. The intro at the beginning shows a variety of knots and detailed instructions on how to make them. The projects include many plant hangings, wall hangings (several are stunning, yet slightly complicated), dreamcatchers (I love the Eden), placemats, lanterns, garlands, table runners, curtains, and a bench (macrame on a wood frame). The projects are gorgeous and get increasingly difficult as the book progresses.

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mother did macrame in the '70s -- wall hangings, mostly -- but I thought I was too cool to hang inside doing crafts. Now I've got a second chance to learn macrame, because it's popular again for who knows how long. This is an attractive book with clear instructions and beautiful photos for projects that have been updated for the modern age (dip-dying with natural dyes, anyone?).

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for getting started with macrame. Thorough explanation of materials, tips, knots, and patterns with well-done illustrations, and plenty of beginner projects that are inspiring for future larger projects.

[Amy Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Fanny's book offers a fresh look at macrame and is wonderfully executed. The projects are inspiring and the instructions are clear. I really recommend this book for anyone wanting to try out this fun and versatile craft.

[Amanda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have checked out a LOT of macrame books from the library over the past few months and this is my favorite. The knot photographs are very clear. There is a variety of patterns easy and hard, large and small. The directions are some of the clearest out of all the books I’ve looked at.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Macrame is hip again! This is a great book for learning the basic knots and has projects from beginner to advanced, plus an entire chapter on just knots so a clever person can design their own beautiful knotted artworks.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful, but overwhelming to beginners ~ explanations and guides are extremely brief, while photos of lush projects are huge and lovingly photographed. Probably best for advanced macrame-ists!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great book for starting

[Tisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not super modern - felt like a re-photographing of a 70s book. Nothing I couldn't wait to make.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've completed several projects from this book. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the finished projects are beautiful.

[Amanda]

Lovely projects

[Veronika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great instructions for beginners, the projects are not the prettiest ones but you will learn on them enough to advance to fancier ones.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

New hobby/obsession! This one at least mentions taking care of your back. Now using her technique with adjustable rolling wardrobe hanger for large projects. Works great! Beautiful projects.

[Courtney Nunes]

Thumbs up

[Julie Whipple]

Note to self: When you are ready - make the curtains and the plant hanger

[Andreea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved knotting my first plant hanger using this book. It has visual instructions for multiple knots, a few patterns and a few lovely projects that are quite easy to follow!

[Jennie Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Strengths: Great photos and some lovely patterns that I will make more than once. Best for someone who already has some understanding of knots and patterns.
Weaknesses: For the most part, the patterns are not explained clearly, at all. I think a beginner might have quite a bit of trouble learning knots with this book as a guide. There are even a few errors.

I would recommendMacrame Decor: 25 Boho-Chic Patterns and Project Ideas for beginners as it has extremely clear visual and written instructions with some good patterns.

[Yas D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent guide for both beginners and experienced crafters. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. The book features beautiful photographs that inspire and provide helpful visual references for each project. It's a valuable resource for anyone interested in macrame, combining practical guidance with stunning visuals.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for begginners, beautiful projects, wonderful illustrations!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great front matter on knots and how to combine them into patterns. The projects are pretty basic but there’s a variety.