Modern Macramé: 33 Stylish Projects for Your Handmade Home

by Emily Katz

The ultimate guide to creating and styling modern macramé projects in the home from top creative tastemaker and sought-after macramé artist Emily Katz.

Macramé--the fine art of knotting--is an age-old craft that's undergoing a contemporary renaissance. At the heart of this resurgence is Emily Katz, a lifestyle icon and artist who teaches sold out macramé workshops around the world and creates swoon-worthy aspirational interiors with her custom hand-knotted pieces.  Modern Macramé  is a stylish, contemporary guide to the traditional art and craft of macramé, including 33 projects, from driftwood wall art and bohemian light fixtures to macramé rugs and headboards. The projects are showcased in easy to follow and photogenic project layouts, guiding both the novice and the more experienced crafter in a highly achievable way. Included with every project are thoughtful lifestyle tips showing how macramé can provide the perfect finishing touch for the modern, well-designed home--whether it's a hundred-year-old farmhouse, a sophisticated loft, or a cozy but stylish rental.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Art, Design, Reference, Art Design

248 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2015

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about macrame - plant hangers, curtains, even hammock and chairs. It introduces the art of making macrame knots to beginners and has interesting projects for advanced macrame "knotters" alike.


Review based on a NetGalley ARC provided by the publishers.

[Brie Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

So gorgeous, but *sigh* I am not that crafty. Can someone make me these? The home decor photos are beautiful <3

[Mikie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detaljerad, och med många inspirerande projekt! Tydlig och beskrivande för nybörjare. En del andra projekt är lite högre svårighetsgrad än jag är på just nu, men kommer låna den igen i framtiden.

Tyvärr inte metriska mått, så en behöver konvertera.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The positive: This is a beautiful book with gorgeous photographs showing how the projects can be placed to compliment many styles of decor. The projects themselves are very chic and range from beginner to more advanced. So far the instructions have been very easy to follow.

The negative: This is a project book. It does go into some detail about different knotting techniques, but not that much. Someone who is looking to design their own patterns or gain a deeper understanding of the craft would be better suited to a different book.

[Lynndell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An all-inclusive macrame guide!
Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the opportunity to read and review Modern Macrame by Emily Katz!
An informational and instructional guide to all things macrame. From the history of macrame to plant hangers to wall art, and more, can be found in this book of creativity. Photographs accompanying detailed instructions show tools and supplies needed, macrame knots and making macrame ropes and mounting. When I hear the word “macrame”, I think of the 1970’s plant hangers and bell bottom jeans, but the macrame creations in this book are streamlined and not just for hanging plants. The decorations and wall hangings are delicate and trendy. I especially love the swing! The daybed is fascinating and beautiful and the rugs are versatile. An all-inclusive macrame guide, 5 stars and happy creating!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made a macramé owl at primary school. We were also lucky enough to learn other crafts like copper art, basket weaving and knitting, most of which haven’t been taught for years now.
My sister has been getting into macramé, so I have a few plant hangers about which have bowls in them to store things in.
I have some op shop macramé books on my shelf and this practical guide to get me started again.
Inspiring info, projects and décor.

[Meg (queer_book_recs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked the ebook out from the library and it’s a beautiful book and the projects look fun. The directions look clear but I haven’t tried them out yet. I think I will check out the actual hard copy once I’ve got my supplies together so I can more easily flip back and forth between the instructions and explanations of the abbreviations.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has easy to follow instructions with lots of pictures, which I love! I appreciate the style of the projects and the variety of patterns in this book. There were lots of options for all levels of macrame artists. The author does a good job of explaining different knots that I felt confident free styling a few pieces on my own. This is a great book to learn with!

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine. Katz struck me as a "live laugh love" kinda gal, which is not my jam. The instructions seem clear, though I didn't test any of them. Most of the projects don't appeal to my aesthetic, but there were a handful. Even though it's titled modern macrame, it still seems very 70s to me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Not for me, but maybe it's for you?

[Erin]

To me, there are two extremes of macrame: The loose, expressive, go-with-the-flow macrame, and the highly structured, geometric, pattern-based macrame. This is much more at the go-with-the-flow end, while I prefer the geometric end.

I know a lot of people love this style. To me, though, it just looks a little *whispers* sloppy.

[Emily Tillinghast · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book with so many interesting projects. I can't decide which to try first! I feel as though I can imagine each and every one looking good in my home. So glad this book is finally out in the world.

[Jennie Chantal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars for the gorgeous photography. Most of the projects were larger scale, which didn’t appeal to me. I wish the attention that went into the photos and layout went into the projects. I would have loved if each had a pattern like Modern Macramé does.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

a wide range of projects and a great review of the basics - which is always what you want in a crafting book.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of macramé books, and this has top notch macramé projects.

[Tisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are several projects I'd like to make in this book, including all the big projects - chairs, shower curtains, etc.

[Deborah Botts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has great ideas, as well as a newsletter with additional projects and products. Loved it.

[Charity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful photos, interesting projects, helped me learn that I don't really like macrame.

[Emily Bragg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent projects, beautifully printed - can't wait for my cord to arrive!

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute projects for stylish spaces

But I have no skills to pull any of them off. I’ll have to devote a lot more time to learn this craft.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and the pictures are fantastic. Great for a novice.

[Cori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good intro to macrame with good pictures and mostly clear instructions.

[Arlian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting projects, and indeed modern. Nothing was exciting enough for me to rush out and buy a bunch of macrame stuff though, so they didn't motivate me that much.

[Janyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of modern takes on macrame. Looks like good instructions (not that I have the time right now, but retirement is coming up!!)

[Sabina · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Modern Macrame' book includes 33 DIY projects that will make your house and garden cosier than ever! Each project is supported by easy to follow tutorial. The projects include rugs, pant hangers, chairs, a tent and lots more! If you love simplistic scandinavian home decor this book is perfect for you!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my first jobs was working as a craft maven at a summer camp. The craft Tsar was Zena (her real name) and she was an expert at macrame. She had patterns for everything. Growing up macrame was just for plant hangers, but she had hammocks, giraffes, owls, etc. You wanted it she could know it. And now that tradition lives on. What was thought as 70’s chic is now millennial modern. Yes plant hangers are back, and so are baskets and bags. This book is simply lovely. Organized in an easy to understand way, with lots of pictures explaining various knots and knot tying methods.