Macramé Then and Now at the ACC Library

The Textile Center is coming to the American Craft Council Library for two classes this winter, starting January 22nd. Come visit the library and learn (or re-learn) the classic macramé of the 70s.

We looked in our past issues of Craft Horizons (the predecessor publication to American Craft) to see what we’d written about macramé. It is a very old craft making yet another comeback. In our Nov./Dec. 1953 issue is an article, “Macramé in Mitlà.” Mitlà is in Oaxaca, Mexico, where “they have adapted the old fringe or border patterns called macramé and they tie the charming lacy rebozos that we call stoles.” These rebozos are made of carded and spun yarn from the local sheep, usually in its natural color and made solely with half hitches. The guide thread in each thread grouping is placed across the diagonal and half hitches are tied around it. The final pattern emerges as a series of lacy “Xs” worked across the rebozo.

Reviewed in the Nov./Dec. 1968 issue of Craft Horizons is the exhibition “Macramé,” held at the Contemporary Crafts Gallery in Portland, Oregon, from August 15 – September 14, 1968. The curator of the exhibition was Virginia Harvey, the author of Macramé: the Art of Creative Knotting. Included in the exhibition is the possibility that macramé went to sea as knot tying of useful and decorative objects by seamen, who then helped to introduce macramé throughout the world. Historic and contemporary examples are both displayed in the exhibit. The staff reviewer singled out exceptional pieces by ACC Gold Medalists Dominic Di Mare (1999), and Ed Rossbach (1990).

In 1971, the Museum of American Folk Art in New York hosted an exhibition entitled “Macramé” from April 27 – September 26. Craft Horizon’s December issue reviewed the exhibition, and read, “the interest in knot tying, macramé, has turned out to be one of the phenomena of the ever growing interest in crafts at their highest creative and artistic level.” The finest historical examples singled out are the nautical work of the 19th- and 20th-century seamen, knotted necklaces from the North American Indians, and a netted mask from the Congo. European knotted lace is also admired. Contemporary examples include clothing, jewelry, and wall hangings.

Fast forward to the present, and macramé is refining and growing and changing. Dawn Standera, the founder of the popular website The Macrame Collective, came to the ACC Library to research macramé artist Diane Itter. Itter used the double half-hitch for all her work - the knots haven’t changed a bit over the centuries, but materials and styles have. 

Enjoy your journey back to macramé’s previous incarnations with the Textile Center’s classes held at the ACC Library, and please register early. Details follow, and registration can be by phone, mail, or fax, using the Textile Center’s downloadable pdf registration form. We hope to see you at the ACC Library for one or both of these inspiring classes – or to see some of our macramé resources, retro and contemporary. 

Macramé 1: Knots
Tuesday, January 22, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Macramé is the penultimate in cool retro craft. Start with the basics by learning two types of commonly used knots. Create a belt using a D-ring or bring your favorite vintage belt buckle to build a belt on. Materials fee $10, payable to the instructor.
Instructor: Sara Langworthy
$35/$30 Textile Center Members or ACC Members

Macramé 2: The Owl
Monday, February 11, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
It doesn't get any more iconic than the macramé owl! Build your skills with this classic macramé design. Your choice of materials will determine the size of your finished owl - from a brooch made from waxed linen cord to a wall hanging made from jute. Beginners are welcome. Materials fee $10, payable to the instructor.
Instructor: Sara Langworthy
$35/$30 Textile Center Members or ACC Members

A weekly shout out to the printed word, From the Stacks highlights what's new and what's loved in the American Craft Council Library.