Page 121 - Test Issue Flip

MACRAMÉ
interview
MAKE TIME TO CREATE
In my experience, running a business can leave you with little time to be creative. When I first opened my online store, The Six Week Boutique, in 2008 I was able to offer a new collection every six weeks. As my business grew, I had to spend more time managing other aspects such as book keeping, customer service and marketing, and my creative time suffered as a result. I soon realized that unless I scheduled time in my diary to be creative, I was never going to be able to enjoy doing what I loved most... which, ironically, was why I decided to work for myself in the first place!
Needless to say, Tamara had to be on our interview shortlist for the debut issue. She has been leading the way of the macramé revival, all the way! If she got you thinking on your next crafty career move, Tamara has more original insights to share on koel-magazine.com.
NOW LET'S KNOT ...
To celebrate KOEL's launch, I designed an exclusive decor braid pattern using the Half Knot. What I love about the seemingly unexciting Half Knot is how exciting it becomes en masse. When repeated many times over, this knot forms what is called a Half Knot Twisted Sinnet. The ‘sinnet’, which is just a fancy name for a braid, is often incorporated in wallhangings and plant hangers, but I think it looks incredible on its own as a simple decorating piece. A sinnet consists of two parts. The first part - called the ‘inner rope’ is a number of single lengths of rope bunched together to form the core of the sinnet.
The thickness of your rope and how many single lengths are included in the bunch determines how thick your finished sinnet will be. The second part is the ‘outer rope’ or ‘working rope’, which are two much longer lengths of rope that sit on the left and the right of the inner rope. As you knot or ‘work’ these into an uninterrupted series of half knots around the inner rope, they begin to cover the inner rope and form the twisted braid. As you continue, the inner rope will become completely encased by half knots. Obviously they are called ‘working rope’ because they do all the work!
This pattern is suitable for any skill level but, like any macramé project, will require patience, accuracy, and arm strength. It will make approximately three metres of twisted sinnet. Double the rope lengths to make six metres, triple to make nine metres, and so on. -x-
tamaramaynes.com
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