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The Art of Macramé and we introduce "Mac-Cramy!®"

by Shona Young

The Art of Macramé and we introduce "Mac-Cramy!®"

Macramé is having a serious moment in the spot-light right now and we, at Nutscene are loving it!  Some trends are a simple flash-in-the-pan. 90s Platform shoes and the Harlem Shake spring to mind! However Macramé has a rich history that spans generations, oceans and continents.  The Nutscene team took some time to find out more...   A Brief History of Macramé It seems that there many different types and variations that all fit under the Macramé craft. Essentially Macramé is the creation of a textile through a knotting process.   Back to the Start Where did Macramé come from? Well, there seems to be some controversy as to where this craft originated from. Some sources suggest that the craft originated from 13th century Arab weavers, whereas other records indicate that the craft initiated in China.   It is believed that the art was then taken to Spain and from there spread across Europe. Records indicate that Macramé wasn't introduced to Great Britain until the 17th century.   Ship-a-hoy! However it is generally accepted that sailors play an important part in the tale of Macramé. It seems the craft was widely used by sailors. With many hours on the sea, the sailors would create items such as rope ladders, hammocks, bags and belts.  It is thought that European sailors in particular, helped with the spread of Macramé's popularity, by showcasing their crafts to the various lands that they traveled to. Perhaps even selling or bartering their Macramé craft in exchange for other items when they docked.  A Victorian Manner Victorians also indulged in the craft, often with the particular aim of embellishing their homes. Homemaking was often encouraged in Victorian society and Macramé was seen as a respectable hobby for wives and daughters. The craft was fortified when members of the Royal family also gave it their approval.  Moving on up!  A huge revival was seen in the 1970s.  You might have struggled to find a home in Britain in the 1970s that didn't have the obligatory macramé pot-hanger as featured in the picture below!  There was a boom for books containing patterns and instructions on how to tackle macramé projects.  Macramé was used to make wall art, clothing, table dressings, curtains, plant hangers, chairs... To say it was hugely popular - might be an understatement!  Today Today, Macramé is back on in the world of fashion and design (Woohoo!). Macramé is being used in a wide sense- from home interiors to jewellery crafts.  We are delighted to see Macramé plant and candles holders coming back in force. These can be beautiful to look at and instantly invite someone into a room.  And as if you needed another reason to fall in love with a roof hanging plant holder - If you are like us, and have feline invaders in your home - it can be an ideal way to keep your plants up high or away from tables so they can't have a little chew!   We think this kitty might be away to do just that!    For the really ambitious, they can always try and tackle a macramé swing chair Seriously though, who wouldn't love an actual swinging chair in their home!?    For those who prefer to walk before they can run.... a macramé bracelet could be the perfect place to start.   At Nutscene, we love to support all our fans and friends in their projects. We are delighted to announce that we have released our very own Mac-Cramy Twine®. Our Mac-Cramy® twines are from 100% recycled cotton and come in either fine or thick twine - perfect for whatever project you decide to embark upon...  We have gone for classic yet versatile colours: including chocolate brown, natural, black, dark blue, grey and mustard in 2 different sizes.     Not sure where to start - Don't worry! There are a number of blogs and social platforms that offer really good tutorials or tips for getting started!  In creating this blog, the Team at Nutscene read a wide collection of sources on the history and development of the craft of Macramé. Here are some really great sources that we read on the topic:  http://macramebracelets.com/history-macrame  http://www.ancientearthhealing.com/history-of-macrame/ http://macramecollective.com/news/?p=553 http://www.macramelovers.com/blog/macrame/origin-macrame-journey-world/   Lots of Love,  The Nutscene Team  

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