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Like knitting, macrame is also a traditional craft. It is a very ancient textile-making skill. Macrame uses knotting technique rather than weaving or knitting to produce either a decoration or a fabric. This technique originated in the 13th century with Arab weavers of hand-loomed fabrics making decorative fringes on shawls, bath towels, and veils by tying knots of the excess thread or yarn along the edges of the finished garment.

This art spread to Europe through Spain. It was introduced into England in the late 17th century. Macram was popular in Victorian society. Macram was used for fancy trimmings on costumes and considered very fashionable by high society. The fashion waned in later years.

In days gone by sailors used to spend months at a stretch at sea. Time must have weighed heavily on them. Sailors would practice the art of macrame and decorate precious items like handles of knives or even parts of the ship on which they sailed. Everyone has seen a hammock.

The decorative macrame objects made by the sailors while at sea could be sold or bartered at the ports-of-call when the ships were in port. This way ancient Arabic craft spread to far away places like China, etc. The Chinese further refined this craft and today in many places it is called “Chinese knotting”. In the 19th century macrame was a popular pastime with British and American sailors; they made hammocks, belts, etc. in macrame.

macram went out of fashion in the mid-twentieth century. It is, however, gaining popularity once again. Belts, bedspreads, wall hangings, draperies and many other things are macramd. Plant hangers, tablecloths and small jean shorts in macram are also very much in vogue.

Macrame jewelry often uses glass or wooden beads, pendants, articles of bones or shells, etc in combination with macrame knots. Occasionally gemstones or rings are used as decorative inserts, secured by wire-wrapping or held in net-like intertwined knots. Earrings and bracelets in macrame are quite fashionable. In fact almost anything in macrame is mod and fashionable. In Brazil swimming costumes made in macrame are hot.

Due to popularity of macrame, many sites on the internet are specifically devoted to explaining how to macrame and giving macrame instructions. Many e-tutorials are available on “How to Macrame” and giving illustrated macrame patterns and macrame instructions. There are many websites at which you can find information on macrame patterns and macrame knots illustrated with photographs.

Everywhere macram is regaining its popularity. You even see it in our schools and it has found an enthusiastic following in the arts and crafts courses at craft stores. Crafts stores offer macram materials including beads, work boards, and cording. In many malls, and other public places vendors selling macram articles like jewelry, decorations, and wall hangings can be found.

EBay touts being the world’s largest internet market place. Popularity of macram can be gauged from the fact that even EBay is selling macram patterns, materials, and other supplies. It is only a matter of time now before chain stores like Target and Wal-Mart start stocking macram materials and supplies.