مكرمة

Playing with String !Macramé!

Current belief is Migramah/Makrama/Macramé was seen in the Arab world around 13th Century. Still in research mode so changes and discoveries will occur. This photo is of my "first" macramé test using alternating square knots. However, the origins are far older, as we see Assyrian bas reliefs show knots attached to fringe. The

Most of the examples from period do use the the basic knots we know from those 70's plant and wall hangers plus there is a resurgence of them in the Coachella/Boho movements.

Below are some of the macramé treatments seen in the SCA period. Currently, I am only seeing trims and borders in the Pre-17th century world.

My take of the simple knotting.

Basic knots using the threads from the ends of the cloth.

13th Century Middle East

The Met Collection

Knots formed from the loose threads at the ends of the fabric.

16th Century Italian

The Met Collection

Knots to attach the threads with some passametrie (?). Grouped and knotted. Simple.

16th Century Italian

The Met Collection

16th Century Italian

The Met Collection

16th Century Italian

The Met Collection

16th Century Italian

Lacis trimmed with basic knotting.

My Macramé Goal

The Marriage of Cana by The Masters of the Catholic Kings. Circa 1500.

This is the fringe on the table cloth. There is a mix of knotting patterns that give it a lacy feel.

sample with a period pattern

I want to make one repeat of this 16th century Italian trim.

Looking at a close up of the pattern, I think it will be easy. However, it will be a bit time consuming I am going to start here with the full picture.

According to the Met, the extant piece (Accession Number:08.48.111 ) is 29 1/2 inches (74.9 cm) long x 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm) wide. Each repeat appears to be roughly two inches wide based on the measure at the bottom of the photo.

Looking at the close up, I need to know how to start. Based on the basic stitches I have done and have worked with I come up with 76 pairs** of thread to create a single repeat. For the purpose of this sample piece I will be using 80/3 linen or something similar. I have some mystery linen that I bought years ago, so I may start with that.

Note: in between each repeat appears to be a "break" in the line. I speculate that each of these repeats would have been done separately on the anchor for ease of working the whole length (maybe, working off a spool of thread and spooling the finished product)

**A pair is one long thread folded (use the larks head knot) in half attached to your anchor, either a rod, string or whatever you use to anchor. I will be doing this on a pillow for ease of use.

Using a Larks head knot add 76 pairs of threads 9 to 12 inches long. remember the finished piece is three inches "wide"
Anchor a separate line of thread. I am guessing a single thread 8-12 inches should be enough to do three rows of double half hitches if you go back and forth.
Start the first section using four pairs to make a square knot. Add two sets of square knots. Look at the outside work it looks thicker than the interior work.
the interior lines will be square knots with two pairs. Let's get started with that and we will see how that goes for this part.

Playing with

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse