Modern Macrame'...Not A 70's Memory

Alicia W
by Alicia W
6 Materials
$15
2 Days
Medium
Remember those macrame plant hangers everyone had? Like vinyl tile, macrame' is back and more versatile than ever.

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You will be making a frame.
Decide on the size of your frame.
Using 1"x2" boards, cut four piece for the four sides of your frame.
Determine the center of the top and bottom board.
Using a square, draw a line down the center of those boards.


Using a router, cut a channel down the middle of the top and bottom boards only.
(If you do not own a router, this project can still be made.)
On the top and bottom board, determine the length between each piece of rope. You should have an even number as you will be threading one piece of rope using two holes.
Drill a hole through the board at each mark at the center of the board.
Using a miter saw, cut the ends of each board at a 45 degree angle.
Stain or paint the boards.
I used Minwax "Walnut" stain.
Seal the boards.
I used a white wax which is applied with a brush. The excess wax is wiped off with a soft cloth. You could also use a clear wax.
Sand the cut edges.
Apply wood glue and screw your pieces of board together at each end using trim screws.
To determine the length of rope needed, measure the rope out along the length of the side boards. You will need six times that amount (measure the rope out along the board's length six times.)
Cut the rope and apply tape to the ends of the rope so it doesn't fray and it's easier to thread through the holes in the board.
The rope I used was cotton clothesline; however, you could also purchase macrame rope.
Begin with one piece of rope.
Thread one end of the rope through your first hole. Thread the other end of the rope through the second hole.
Pull the ends so they are even.
You should three times as much rope as the length of your frame.
Continue to thread all of the rope through the holes in your frame.
Begin to macrame' using whatever knots you choose.
There are many YouTube videos where you can learn how to macrame using simple knots. This is where your creativity will shine.
I made four frames; two large and two small.
For the larger frames, I used a square knot and the smaller frames, I used a Josephine knot.
When you reach the bottom of the frame, thread the ends of the rope through the holes along the bottom of the frame.
Tie a knot while pulling the rope tight.
Cut off the ends and using a flat screw driver, push the ends into the channel of the frame.
Use hot glue to secure the rope.


If you did not router a channel in your boards, tie off the ends of the rope as above along the bottom of the board.
So what makes this modern? You can use these frames for so many things.


I hung one of the large frames outside and allowed a vining flower to thread it's way through the macrame making outdoor art.


I hung one of the small frames on the wall of my office and use it as a memo board.
I hung two small and one large frame on a bedroom wall for large impact art.


I screwed each small frame onto the top of the large frames. Using three hinges, I attached them together to make a room divider. (For the room divider project, you would need to router channels into the top and bottom of the frames so they are flush when you screw the frames together.)


Just think of all the possibilities in your home!
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 6 questions
  • Cry22488062 Cry22488062 on Jun 18, 2018

    Do you make these for sale?


  • Lottie Crafts Lottie Crafts on Jun 21, 2019

    I just bought a bougainvillea that I’m going to use as window privacy and protection. So my question is how well do you think the clothes lines would hold up over time? I live in Florida so my weather is hot, dry, wet and muggy lol.

  • Michelle Michelle on Jun 24, 2019

    How do you attach the knots to the sides of the frame?

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  • We were recently at the JW Marriott in Austin TX for a wedding and they had this done for a few large "walls" in the entry/waiting and bar area! It was awesome!

  • Tassie Anne Biesecker Tassie Anne Biesecker on May 04, 2022

    I love love LOOOOVE THIS!!!! Thank you for sharing this!!! I especially love how you made it look like a room divider...so cool!!

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