Page 375 - Lindsey Philpott "The Ultimate Book of Decorative Knots"

ornamental knots 369

The Japanese crane, symbol of honour, loyalty,
and longevity. May your life be blessed with
1,000 cranes!

maCramé
People who lived through the 1960s and 1970s in Samples of macramé abound still, and yet some
the United States, Europe, and other parts of the of the better pieces perhaps have not been seen by
world will recognise the Arab word for fringe, even all. Here are a few of my favourite pieces, made by
if they did not realise what it was they are saying. the author and knot-tyer Geoffrey Budworth.
Mukrameh is indeed the English pronunciation of Made with some blue and red pony beads on
the Arabic word for fringe, with which the edges white polyester braided cord, this simple bead and
of those fabulous rugs were woven. The knots that square knot piece enhances the effect of the square
form the body of the rug were varied also, but the knotting and Half Hitching rather nicely.
sections that have been copied the most in this This square knot and rope piece sets off the
art form are the fringes, where the knotting itself qualities of the knotting by adding a striking
is the art form. You might almost think of this as contrast of coloured line to bring out the effects of
a fringe art! I was first introduced to Arabic rugs shape and contour. The line is brightly coloured
when sailing on a dhow across the Gulf of Aden as a enough to add visual interest without overwhelming
small child from what was then British Somaliland the piece.
to Aden. The stern of the ship was littered with
rugs and the edges were all decorated with fringes,
although I had no personal knowledge of what they
would later signify to me as an adult. The art of
macramé as it is practised today employs four or five
simple structures that are repeated over and over to
create a large-scale pattern, sometimes with bright
colouration, sometimes just with plain cords and
some with a mixture of the two. Simpler is better in
my opinion, but the masters of the art use colour to
enhance their work. No more simple plant-hangers
for them – they now create wall hangings of great
simplicity and elegance that grace the halls of
museums worldwide.