Sometime in the 1960s and 1970s macramé knotting became a popular crafting technique that was used in many keychains, wall hangings and decoration, throw pillows, as well as planter hangers and skirts. It was a way to add and bring in a lot more texture to a home’s wall art and table runners. However, sometime after the 1970s the art’s popularity began to fade.
It wasn’t until recently that macramé has been making its comeback. In fact, in 2021 Elite Daily reported a 3,200% increase in Google searches for the term “macramé knot guide”. This Bohemian style textile art is definitely coming back, and By Fabrizio Design is taking the craft and artistry up to a whole other level.
What is Macramé Knotting?
Macramé is a crafting method that makes use of knots, rather than weaving or knitting, to create textiles. It combines various combinations of square (or reef) knots to form what is called “hitching” and was a technique once used to cover anything from bottles to knife handles, or as accessories such as bags and mats to belts and bracelets.
A Brief History of Macramé Knotting
Macramé’s roots can be traced back to various regions and cultures. However, the earliest recorded uses of knots in the same style as macramé were in the carvings of the Babylonians and Assyrians, where the technique was used as a way to embellish the costumes of the time.
One school of thought states that the term comes from the Turkish makrama , which means “napkin” or “towel”. Whereas another notes how macramé is derived from the Arabic macramia which is believed to mean “ornamental fringe” or “embroidered veil”.
It was during the Victorian era that it’s said that Macramé was at its most popular. The technique could be found in many household items such as curtains, tablecloths, and bedspreads.
It was also popular in Genoa, Italy in the 19th century, and was considered a specialty in the region, tracing its roots back to a 16th century technique that was known as punto a groppo.
Of course, in more recent years, its last surge in popularity was back in the 1970s, where it was used in many wall hangings, decorations, bedspreads, draperies, jewelry, and clothing accessories. Macramé necklaces, anklets, and bracelets were especially popular back in the day, and were only recently revived once more by millennials.
Elevating the Art of Macramé Bracelet with Beads
With the resurgence of macramé knotting in recent years, we once again see a lot of wall decorations and textiles popping up across the internet. What’s especially interesting to see is the craftsmanship that’s going into today’s macramé jewelry, particularly the macramé bracelet with beads from By Fabrizio Design.
Known for his mastery of the Entorchado technique, a metal twisting technique whose origins can be traced to indigenous Meosamerican culture, Fabrizio Sassano has made a name for himself for his elegant and refined handcrafted jewelry. With Entorchado and macramé both being artisanal techniques with rich cultural heritages, Fabrizio Sassano not only pays homage to the culture, but elevates the craft to entirely new heights.
This Pisa Macramé bracelet in Freshwater Pearls, for example, is a testament to his amazing craftsmanship, and just how beautiful and refined his work can be. What may have once been simple macramé bracelets with beads a decade or so ago, are made anew thanks to Sassano’s skill, vision, and aesthetic. And it’s this very skill that makes his jewelry the perfect gifts for most any special occasion.
If you’ve recently been on the lookout for macramé bracelets or jewelry, and haven’t found one that’s gorgeous enough and exceptional enough to give to that special someone, check out the macramé bracelets with beads at By Fabrizio Design. On their website, you’ll find more than a handful of wonderfully handcrafted pieces that will certainly be a treasure for that special person.
