Macramé: Techniques and Projects for the Compete Beginner

by Tansy Wilson, Sian Hamilton

Discover the art of macramé with 11 projects perfect for the beginner and more advanced alike . Projects and techniques have fully illustrated step-by-step instructions that make learning macramé quick and stress free! With projects ranging from making a simple wall hanging that’s great for a beginner to a useful market bag with T-shirt yarn for the more advanced crafter, this book will give the reader hours of creative fun and relaxation .

Genres: Crafts

104 pages, Paperback

Published February 25, 2020

Reviews

[Regena · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made the "Tree of Life" pictured on page 84. The list of things, "You Will Need" does not specify what size twine nor what size embroidery hoop. I ordered both online and ended up with 2mm (4ply) jute twine and a 12" hoop. I made a leaf according to the "directions" but didn't realize until I finished one leaf that I had six more to make exactly like the first. I actually struggled with the directions because the clarifying language that is usually in a pattern was non-existent. While dying twine it would be nice to know you need to complete the process for seven leaves total. (I am a reading specialist and this is one of the things that readers need to know, especially when it comes to directions.) In order to have 3" stem, I could only fit five of the ten knots on each leaf. No type of knot was specified for the end of the stem so I had to experiment. I learned that unless the knot was larger than the green knots they would come off the stem. I read through the entire pattern trying to interpret what the author had in mind, but it was not explicit! I had to go off-book. I tried to guess how big the stem needed to be to fit ten knots. I used double what was stated (because 5 fit the directions double seemed right for 10 knots). I ended up with a really long stem which required many more added long strands. By the time I finished seven leaves, I was out of twine. I WISH THE AUTHOR WOULD HAVE said how much twine total was needed for the project! I read through and estimated, but was way off. I couldn't duplicate the same twine from my local hobby and hardware stores so I used hemp twine (4 ply 180 lbs test strength) in a 200 ft roll. Since the leaves were too large of a scale for the 12" hoop I bought a 2 foot twisted grapevine wreath as my hoop. I also had to take the directions for the Clove Hitch Knot and scan in color and then flip the picture in reverse because you are working the opposite of what the directions show. I went with the rest of the "pattern" and modified it as needed to make it adapt to what I had and actually am very happy with the results. I wish I could post a picture as it may help someone else who bought the book and is trying to make this work for them.

[Erin]

This probably would have been great when I was starting out, but these projects are a little too beginner for me now. Still pretty though. A few odd decisions, like putting the basic knots and materials in the back rather than the front of the book, and showcasing some professionals whose work was very much beyond the beginner projects surrounding them.