Say goodbye to fidgety fingers! Macrame is the perfect hobby to make use of those idle hands.
Macrame dates back to the thirteenth-century Arabic world and is the art of knotting strings or chords into decorations and household items. While it looks quite technical, it’s easier to get into than you think.
Here’s our simple guide on how to get started…
Why should you get into macrame?
It’s hard to maintain a good work-life balance while studying, but macrame is a fantastic way to look after your mental health. Not only is it relaxing, but creating something for yourself can be extremely rewarding.
Macrame is also the perfect hobby to do around exam time because it’s a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. If you’re working on something small, like a bag or a bookmark, take your macrame project with you on campus so you can do something different during your study break.
You can learn a cool skill to show off to your friends by making them gifts or your own accessories. You could even turn your new hobby into a side hustle and start selling things on Etsy or Depop.
Equipment needed
Here’s the basic equipment you’ll need to start your macrame project:
- A wooden ring to hold the cord, which you can purchase from a craft store or re-use from an old curtain hook
- A macrame board, which you can buy from your local craft store
- A measuring tape
- Cord, or old fabric cut into long strips
- Scissors
- T-pins, or wig pins, which you can buy in craft shops
- An embroidery needle or a crochet hook for finishing off your designs
Basic macrame knots
Check these videos out to learn how to do these basic knots:
@adamkamil03 #macramedress #macramedressbali #macramebali@igun31 ♬ Infinity - Jaymes Young
Project ideas
Once you start getting the hang of it, you can create many decorative items to freshen up your uni home. Instead of buying a wall hanging online, you could make your own. Keep it simple by using a neutral-coloured cord, or get creative with vibrant colours.
Stuck for gift ideas? Instead of buying a present, have a go at making something a bit more personal that your friends will love. For example, you could buy some beads to create a hex-nut bracelet or make macrame accessories, such as a keychain or a belt.
Trying to be more sustainable? Instead of buying single-use plastic bags, why not make your own macrame shopping bag. For more design inspiration, we recommend checking out Pinterest. Save Pins and create a vision board, or upload pictures of your work to inspire others.
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