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This gem is from 1978 – which was during the Age of Macrame in crafting.
For a time, macrame was as big as scrapbooking is now. Remember in this podcast, when Mike Hartnett said that the Craft & Hobby Association show was mostly made up of macrame companies?
Interestingly, macrame hasn’t made much of a resurgence recently, despite all the renewed interest in crafting. My theory? Macrame may be a little too complicated for many time-pressed crafters.
And just maybe, all those plant holders burned us out for good.
Still, as this book proves, you can make some truly amazing Christmas stuff with macrame.
Hi, Hope!
In all seriousness, I like the simplicity of this wreath form. With different embellishments, it could be really stunning.
Here’s another application of the same knot. This candy cane, by the way, is about three feet long. So it doubles as home security, perhaps.
I think this is really impressive. The only internal structure is a metal ring (hidden in the rim of the candle holder). The rest is knots. Wow!
Um…
Wow, crazy. Maybe if some talented designers started coming up with new designs, we'd be more into macrame. These don't do much for me!! :) They're funny, though!
. . . you know, if I was more caught up on my finals, Christmas knitting, cookie baking, gift shopping, and decorating of the house (though my whole family's at fault for that one), it might be tons of fun to make an ornament with my summer-camp hemp bracelet skills. (Even if I was caught up, I wouldn't have time to learn more-complex macrame stitches.)
Is that last thing a schnauzer? Ha! I've thought about macrame and new designs like Heather says below . . . hmmmm . . .
Man Alive! (Little 70s lingo for you.) Macrame plant hangers with wooden beads… If those make a comeback, it's all over. But then I said the same thing about bell bottom pants and actually bought them again. Fun post. (That last photo is cute and scary at the same time.)
I like macrame still! I'm getting back into knots and braids…I hope there is a resurgence and also a more present-day application for the techniques. Would be so cool!
Maybe macrame hasn't come back because we just don't have those groovy faux brick and wood paneled walls like those on the cover for backdrops? Seriously, though, a few artists (Joan Babcock, Annika deGroot, Jeanne Wertman…) are doing amazing and contemporary work today in micro macrame (same knots, finer cords). I think for larger scale macrame to make a comeback we need not only updated designs as heather mentioned, but for someone to produce attractive cord in a wider palette of colors. Would knitting and crocheting be so popular today if all we had was 70s style acrylic yarn to work with?
i love macramé! :D still make bracelets and necklaces with the knots. I grew up with mom making huge plant holders.hmm should ask her if she still remembers how to make the knots :)
Excellent point! I love Anika's work, too.
Home security, ha ha ha ha ha!!! I remember doing macrame when I was about 6 – I tied it onto the tv knob (that you turned the channnels with) and watched tv while I braided away. If I remember correctly, it was kind of scratchy and stiff to work with – maybe that's another reason it's not in vogue again?
I remember trying macramé. It wasn't the time it took that made me drop it (hello – knitting…) but that I could not think of anything I could make that was not ugly/weird. I made as many belts and bracelets as I wanted, and a person can only use so may plant hangers, after all.
I have this book, and made many of the items (some of which still survive) This whole series has me spooked, many of the featured magazines have just been resurected from my mom's basement!
Wow, deja vu! (sp?) Anyways, I made a ton of those NOEL macrame hangers and I just bought a replica of the macrame Christmas Tree for a tacky gift swap (both from the cover)…maybe I owned this book?
Have been really, really enjoying the vintage Christmas treasures you have been sharing! What fun and some real material for building upon – 2010 crafty ideas coming through!
The wreath in this post caught my eye too! What really got me is there was a day when I would have been able to make it! But no – this great idea never got caught in my radar! I was using my twisted knotty creations for hanging planters! Imagine that!
I totally remember those plant hangers! And that wall hanging you made!
I made that tree as a young teenager and a lot of the ornaments. I won a blue ribbon at the state fair for it. I actually gasped when I saw the photo–thanks for the reminders!!
Have been really, really enjoying the vintage Christmas treasures you have been sharing! What fun and some real material for building upon – 2010 crafty ideas coming through!
The wreath in this post caught my eye too! What really got me is there was a day when I would have been able to make it! But no – this great idea never got caught in my radar! I was using my twisted knotty creations for hanging planters! Imagine that!
I totally remember those plant hangers! And that wall hanging you made!
I made that tree as a young teenager and a lot of the ornaments. I won a blue ribbon at the state fair for it. I actually gasped when I saw the photo–thanks for the reminders!!
Can you possibly tell me where I might be able to purchase a completed macrame Schnauzer, as illustrated on your website? Thanks for any information you might possibly give me.
Hi, Nancy -
You know, I’m sorry but I’d have no idea where to find something like this. You might try doing a search on Etsy.com for “macrame schnauzer,” or doing that search on eBay.com. Hope that helps!