Tuesday, September 30, 2008

K is for knotting


Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday Round 3 and ABC Wednesday Anthology (the no comment display) have
progressed to the letter K. My apologies this week for a sparse response to the K challange and little time to comment on other posts. I will try to make up for it in the future!


Macrame comprises a variety of Knots to create an object of practical or artistic merit. It was perfected by sailors on sailing ships. The first examples I saw were in the San Francisco Maritime Museum. I was a child at the time but determined that someday I would master the craft. During the macrame days of the 1960s I created hundreds of macrame objects, artistic or practical, and sold almost all of them to either individuals or galleries. This is the sole remaining piece of my own macrame that I now have. I made it as a wall hanging for my mother, and, when she died, I inherited it. This macrame hanging now bridges the width of a wall between my dining and breakfast areas, and serves as a complex knot between the two areas.

24 comments:

Richard Lawry said...

Very beautiful. My wife worked for a company that made macrame beads back in the 70's

Barbara said...

That is a beautiful piece, I remember working on macrame many years ago.

Jay said...

I used to do macrame too! Nothing so large or beautiful as your wall hanging though!

photowannabe said...

This is so lovely. My idea of macrame isn't as elegant or colorful as yours. Be proud, that is pure craftmanship.

Kim from Hiraeth said...

That is a very intricate piece of work!

Daniel Chérouvrier said...

Fine hobby.
You may see a nice post card from Inge Lôök about another women's hobby in Finland on
http://radonvilliers.blogspot.com

Blondie said...

For as long as I can remember, my parents ALWAYS owned a "hanging screen" that fit within a door-frame of Macrame that my Mom's best friend made for them years and years ago. When they bought their "dream home" nearly 3 years ago, they found the Perfect Spot for that macrame, and while I struggled with the loss of my childhood home that had been sold, I was very comforted to see Emmy's macrame proudly mounted on the door to their patio. Seeing it hanging there, next to the Kiva fireplace, with it's nuggets of turquoise woven intricately into it's design, honestly, helped me to accept the "new house." I needed to see that personal touch--that history--and there it was--in Emmy's macrame!

Items crafted by hand always retain the spirit of the maker...

Cathy said...

Macrame,,I love it. My mom used to do this. For quite some time we had planters all over the house.

Rinkly Rimes said...

I'd forgotten all about macrame. It certainly was all the rage once. I never tried it but if I had I know my work would have just looked like tangled string! Ho Hum! Some can, some can't!

Tom said...

I am sure that I still have a Macrame Owl that was made for me years ago... I must seek it out.

Tom
Mine's Here

mrsnesbitt said...

I remember making such pieces many years ago! Strange how things go in and out of fashion!
Great idea for K!
Thanks so much!

Bear Naked said...

I remember when macrame was in style.
I sadly never learned the KNOTS in this craft but I had a friend who used to make wonderful macrame projects as gifts.

Bear((( )))

Unknown said...

I haven't seen one of these in a long time. It is very pretty! I love that you inherited it from your Mother. Mom's are the best, aren't they? Hope your week is wonderful!

antigoni said...

My sister loves knotting. Very nice post for letter "K".

Reader Wil said...

It's a beautiful example of handicraft! Very interesting to know that sailors started macrame, just like shepherds introduced knitting! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Liz Hinds said...

That's beautiful. I never progressed far with macrame back in the 60s, but I'm not very good with my hands; you must be!

nonizamboni said...

Boy, does macrame bring back memories! I did the best I could but couldn't quite 'get it.' Your work is phenomenal. Thanks for sharing, Phyllis. This must look lovely in your home.
xxxxx

Maria said...

A beautiful work and a good choice!

Leslie: said...

Gosh, I remember macrame from when I got married in early 70s. This is a beautiful piece that you got back - I love the colours! :D

D Herrod said...

I used to do macrame when I was a kid.

Nydia said...

I love it, Granny, this is a beautiful piece of art! It's perfect for enhancing a blank wall into a beautiful spot in the house.


Kisses from Nydia.

anno said...

This is a beautiful piece -- I love the combination of the beads and the contrasting colors. Like others here, I made macrame purses and wall hangings back in the 70s. Seeing this makes me think about taking it up again. Who knows, your post may spark a macrame revival!

Broogle said...

Grandmother,

I always admired the macrame hanging in our apartment in Davis, and later in other homes. In fact, I was talking to a friend last week about crafts, and how macrame is the one I'd like to get into more when I have the time. I did a little when I worked at scout camp in my teens.

Thank you for helping revive these wonderful memories.

linda may said...

That is a lovely piece of Art/Craft. It is a skill I never tried when it was a fashionable craft years ago. How nice that it came back to you.