Macrame Supplies

Macrame, from an Arabic word meaning "fringe", is an ancient craft of knotting in geometric
patterns using simple basic knots to create a multitude of patterns. It began from the early
practice of knotting fringe to a solid fabric in a continuation of knotted patterns, entire pieces
of knotted fabrics were created that were perfect for altar cloths, church vestments, and doilies.

Its first known use was recorded by Arabs in the 13th cent. Later in the 14th and 15th centuries,
it is documented that it was done in France, Italy, and Spain. It was then quite popular in the
nineteenth century among British and North American sailors who spent long hours aboard ships
tying square knots and hitch knots. They sold or bartered their knotty objects when they came
ashore.

While the craze for knotted items waned in subsequent years, it is now enjoying a renewed and widespread popularity as a technique for making wall hangings, articles of clothing, bedspreads, tablecloths, draperies, plant hangers, jewelry and other furnishings. The handcrafted items in this website are made from nylon, satin, cotton, or hemp cord in a wide assortment of colors and are embellished with beads or pendants of glass, cloisonné, polymer clay, gemstones, acrylic beads,
and gold or silver findings. Some are wire wrapped with 14kt gold-filled wire, sterling silver wire, or
anti-tarnish argentium silver.