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Best Macramé Books
Now that you have a good understanding of what makes a great macramé book, we’ve put together a list of our top picks for the best macramé books. These will have most, if not all, of our recommended qualities to look for in a macramé book.
We highly recommend buying the paper version of these books rather than the e-reader version. With an e-reader, the pictures included tend to be difficult to make out and are often changed from color to black-and-white.
1. Macramé For Beginners By Camila Silva Rodriguez
This book is great for those who may already be familiar with knots or are able to supplement with YouTube videos. The knot tutorials are lacking, but this book makes up for that when it comes to the projects.
With over 150 project patterns to review and create, this book knocks it out of the park. Although the knot tutorials aren’t great, the instructions it gives for each of its projects are fantastic.
This book is still a fan-favorite simply for the sheer number of projects and the possibilities it holds. The projects are broken down into the following categories: Christmas Projects, Personal Projects, and House Projects.
Although three categories may sound like a small amount, the patterns within those categories go on and on. If you want a large library of projects, look no further.
2. Macramé For Beginners By Erin Blossom
When books have the words “Ultimate and Complete Guide,” it’s often misleading. Readers tend to find themselves missing information in an area or two, making it a rather incomplete guide.
This book doesn’t have that problem. When it says that it’s the ultimate and complete guide, it means just that.
What is the best cord for Macrame?
Although you can use any cord for Macrame, most fiber artists prefer working with high-quality cotton Macrame cords. These are usually available in 3 types:
- 3-Ply rope (or Triple Twist)
- Braided cords
- Single Twist cords (or Single Strand/1-Ply)
In this guide, I will explain the difference between each cord type, how to choose the right cord for your project, and determine what thickness (mm) you need.
If you’re looking for the best shops to order Macrame cords, check this handy guide with local Macrame cord suppliers near you.
How to measure Macrame cords
The first thing you want to do is determine the length of the piece you’re creating. In most cases, your Macrame cord needs to be roughly four times the length of your project.
When your cord is folded in half with a Lark’s Head Knot to create two cords, go for eight times the length.
When calculating the actual length of your cord, it’s important to look at the pattern first:
- If your pattern consists of many knots, you will probably need more cord
- When your pattern consists of many straight cords, you can cut the cord a bit shorter
- The thicker the cord, the bigger the knots, and the longer it needs to be
- Braided cords and 3-Ply ropes take up more length per knot than Single Strand Cord
- When in doubt, always cut more cords than you think you need
I recommend reading my guide on How to Measure Cord Length when you want to learn more about this topic!
How do I choose a Macrame cord?
Choosing which cord you want to use for your project is easy. Here’s what to ask yourself:
#1 Whether you’re following a pattern
When following a pattern or tutorial, use the recommended cord, otherwise, you will have issues with cord measurements.
Each cord creates a different size knot and uses a different amount of cord length to make each knot.
Cords that are slightly stiffer, like 3-ply, will take up more space per knot than a braided cord. A knot made with 3-ply cords also uses up more cord length than a Single Twist cord. See the image below for an example.
#2 What type of project you’re making
To be clear, you can use any type of Macrame cord for any type of Macrame project.
However, from personal experience, I don’t recommend using Single Twist Macrame cords for large wall hangings because these cords can get very fragile when used to make many knots.
#3 Esthetics
Each cord type can give your project a slightly different look and feel. I find that projects created with 3-Ply cords look slightly more bulky and robust, while braided cords make your pieces look more refined and elegant. Single Twist cords are perfect for creating a soft and dreamy look.
Both braided and 3-PLY cords make your knots look more defined, while Single Twist cords make your knots look more fluffy.
#4 Personal Choice
When I first started, I loved the look of Single Twist, but after experimenting with Braided Cords, I now prefer to use them for most of my work.
I recommend ordering different cord types to discover your favorite one!
How to Make a Macramé Produce Bag
Don’t let all the knots fool you. Once you get rolling, you can whip up this baby in less than an hour (the process is even quite zen, if you ask me.) Simply grab some macramé cord at your local craft store, along with some cotton strapping and a couple d-rings.
Since Knot Tying 101 wasn’t something most of us learned growing up, I created a quick video showing you exactly how to make your bag. Just know that it might take a while to get the knots just right. Even with practice, I still had a hard time getting my knot pattern small enough to create a tight mesh.
If the knots are too far apart, your stuff falls out. Too close together and you'll spend forever making your bag. It's fine balance, so go easy on yourself and don't aim for perfection.
The good news is that these materials go a long way, so you can make a bunch of bags for next to nothing. One roll of macramé rope and a couple yards of strapping should make about 5 or 6 bags. Just stock up on a few extra d-rings ahead of time and have your hot glue gun ready to go.
Because these are made with 100% cotton, they’re washable and should last forever. I recommend hand-washing them in warm water, but you can always toss them in your washing machine on gentle. If you dye your bags, be careful not to wash them with any other light-colored items because the dye might fade the first few washes.
Then let them air dry to prevent the cord from knotting in unwanted places. Over time you might notice a few of the knots coming undone. When this happens I like to tighten the loose knots by hand and use a dot of glue to permanently secure them.
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