Loop in Bohemia

Macramé can be used to lend a touch of casual chic to your living space. Add a beaded wall hanging or a cosy swinging chair to get the boho vibe.

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Thinking of a style that features a fun mix of colour and patterns and unique styling set in an asymmetrical layout? Are you thinking of going bohemian? Boho is the stamp of an avid world traveller or a free-spirited flea market lover as it is full of an eclectic assortment of collectibles. It’s carefree charm and relaxed approach to styling can transform a space. And the easiest way to get this look is with macrame.

Macrame is a fibre art technique that makes use of several knots to create various textiles. Each knot can be created with your hands, and no tools are required other than a mounting ring to keep the item in place while you work. For something to fall under the label of macrame, the article must incorporate at least one macrame knot. In a majority of cases, macrame projects are pieced together with numerous knots. In a few cases, you can spot macrame elements joined with other techniques like weaving or knitting.

The diversity in macrame is what makes adding them into any space easy. It can be as effortless as putting indoor plants in macrame plant hangers in the living room or adding a wall organiser in the kitchen. How about a cool hammock in your spacious garden or in your narrow balcony. Macrame coasters on the dining table for your coffee mugs will also be a great touch. You can also find mirrors with artistic macrame knots on the outer linings which can go in the bedroom.

While macrame is now having a moment, it isn’t the first time. When most people think of this art, it takes them back to the bohemian-inspired wall hangings of the 60s and 70s. If you try to dig into the exact origin, some suggest the knotting began in the 13th century. Other historians believe that the ancient Persians and Babylonians used knotting in artefacts that date back to the BC era.

In modern history, macrame was an art form that migrated to the west from Arabic countries. Weavers clustered in this portion of the world used several knotting techniques to finish the edges of woven tapestries, rugs, and shawls with fringe. As these textiles moved and were distributed across Europe, more people began to experiment with knotting in their pastimes. By the 17th century, the technique had reached as far as England where the ladies in waiting were taught it under the guidance of Queen Mary II.

Women weren’t the only ones who practised macrame. Sailors would knot for practical purposes. But on long voyages, the act of knotting served as a way to stay engaged and helped them ward off boredom. These sailors were ultimately responsible for the spread of the art form throughout Europe. They switched careers and turned into merchants once they landed on a new port and sold their macrame items -- hammocks, hats, or belts.

Eventually, Victorians were knotting textiles during the 18th and 19th centuries until the technique was replaced by sewing machines after the Industrial Revolution. The handknotting became popular again in the late 60s and 70s but was quickly out of fashion in the 1980s. Since the art form has jumped back into popularity in recent years, crafters and artists are coming up with innovative ways to take the macrame realm beyond the basic plant hangers and wall hangings.

However, the method will always be around to a certain degree for its practicality is reliable. You can make items like table runners and key chains using just your hands and a couple of inexpensive supplies.

Go ahead, add a wide range of macrame products in all colours of the rainbow to instantly transform any space from conventional to bohemian.