The Beginner's Guide to Macramé

I’ve followed Isabella’s work for years, so it felt really special to finally learn from her… even if it was from afar. The Daisy Mini Wreath was so fun to make. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, which made the whole process feel relaxing and enjoyable. For my version, I chose a mix of shiny olive braided cord and shiny gold braided cord, paired with natural matte string. I love how the colours and textures came together!! And of course… I couldn’t resist placing it on little Santi as a daisy crown. It may have been made as a wreath, but it made a pretty perfect crown too.

Thank you so much, Isabella. I had the best time bringing this piece to life. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn the foundations of our beautiful craft, macramé.

-- @denissemvera

So honoured to get my hands on another one of Isabella's utterly amazing books. I love to dabble in most arts and crafts, but yarn related ones are truly my favourite! This has been such a lovely mindful project to escape from my usual daily stresses. The Beginners Guide To Macrame by Isabella Strambio is out on the 17th March and features 8 wonderful, easy projects, and helpful tips throughout. My first project is this beautiful lampshade, created using 4 different knots, really easy to follow instructions.... I cannot wait to dive into another project!

-- @sewing_the_seeds_of_love

I haven’t tried Macramé in a while so the step by step picture guide definitely helped! I’ll be gifting my fabulous new bottle holder to my mum. You can get your very own copy of the book from the 17th of March - it’s an easy to read, in detail guide with 8 beautiful Macramé projects. A must have for everyone!

-- @thethreadshopco

The Beginners Guide to Macrame features 8 beginner friendly, inspiring projects including a keychain, bottle holder and even a clutch bag! Wow, Isabella. Your book is beautiful. Huge congratulations!

-- @made.by.hem

I’m so excited to share this fabulous new book by the truly inspirational Isabella Strambio. Her latest book The Beginner’s Guide to Macrame features easy Macrame Techniques and 8 fun projects. The book is full of handy how to guides and gorgeous techniques to try. I’ve had lots of fun trying out some of the projects from the book. My first project was the key chain which is a really quick project to work up. You can get your hands on a copy of the book on 17th March. If you’re new to Macrame or want some gorgeous new projects to try Isabella’s book is just what you’re after.

-- @craftingbylucy

Nothing is more exciting than doing arts and crafts; when you put your imagination to work and make something that looks amazing. Sometimes that one craft just doesn’t work out for you; but don’t give up. There is always something new to try and fall in love with designing and making your own masterpiece. This beginners guide is a perfect gift for Mother’s Day, birthdays or just a loving gift for the person in your life. It’s a gift that keeps giving. But always remember to have a sneaky preview so you can purchase the textiles to start them off on their knot tying journey. This is where The Beginner’s Guide to Macrame by Isabella Strambo comes into play to ignite a new and rewarding craft.

Isabella Strambo is a blogger who decided to try twelve different crafts in a year. She was intrigued by the art of knot tying and has now put her passion into book form for others to learn. Macramé’s history is interesting as it dates back to decorations that appeared in the carvings of the Babylonians and Assyrians. It made a journey through Europe until it arrived in the 17th century here in England where it was introduced to Mary II, who proceeded to teach it to her ladies-in-waiting. It adorned most homes with tablecloths, bedspreads and curtains and more. Macrame is the art of using string, rope and other textiles to tie a variety of knots to produce beautiful intricated patterns to make what your imagination can dream up.

The Beginners guide to Macrame starts you at the beginning teaching you different techniques as you progress. As the Author says it is the perfect craft as it is easy to learn, and small projects can be accomplished in half an hour. But as you progress learning different knots, different types of textiles to work with, from very fine cottons to make lace like projects to much heavier ropes to make furniture. This guide gives you step to step instructions for the opportunity to make eight different projects, starting with a key ring using the first knot and the easiest in my opinion, continuing through each one learning a different knot.

My favourite project looking through the book is the wall hanging owl; it also incorporates the use of beads and a metal hoop. It looks amazing to make, but I will need to do some earlier projects before I can attempt it. I am thinking that it the hardest part is going to be keeping the tension with each knot so that it looks uniform and neat. Having looked into purchasing the items you need to start it seems it isn’t a very expensive hobby; plus there are ways to use household items for bigger projects to hold them in place.

This book is one of a series by the author for different types of macramé projects to enhance your hobbies, excite your fingers into designing beautiful wall hangings, flower pot hangings and maybe even tackle a garden swing chair.

-- Deb M * What's Good to Do *

I have never tried Macrame so this book is definitely a good starting point to get into a new craft. The author clearly loves the knotting craft and has written a very clearly set out book to explain the fundamentals of the techniques required to make up the eight projects contained within the book.

The beginning of the book is broken down into sections describing how to get started and include how to use the book, working safely, tools and materials, macrame essentials and success tips.  The guidance is concise and the photography is clear and shows close up photographs of materials which give you a very good view of the types of materials and tools available for this craft.

The majority of the book is based on the eight projects in the book all of which are beautiful and usable items including a key chain, a bottle holder, a clutch bag, a lampshade and a wall hanging. Each project has a page setting out the materials required, the tools used and the knots that make up the item. The instructions are provided taking you through the steps with both instructions and clear photographs. 

How to work each of the knots required for a project are covered separately with steps, diagrams and photographs and I like that the knots are described away from the instructions of the project as this gives a clear separate section on the knotting techniques for each project in the book and for any future macrame that you may attempt once you know the basics.

At the end of the book Isabella knows that you will want to move on from the basics and she enthusiastically explains how to master some more advanced techniques including adding colours together and lists more challenging use of knots … I think she knows that the beginners guide to Macrame will have us hooked on this achievable and rewarding craft.

* Laura from Half Yard Sewing Club *

The 'beginners guide to' series follows a great format. Starting with an introduction to the subject and a few basics. In this case understanding tools, materials and terminology. Then progressing on to projects. But in each case showing the techniques needed for that project. So no searching needed to find what to do and how to do it. It's all contained within the pages of that project. Work through the book in order and you are building skills whilst creating usable and decorative items as you go. Each technique is clearly illustrated at each stage making it easy to follow. If you are looking to learn macrame in a structured yet fun way this is the book for you. If you already know the basics and are looking for creative projects, wall hangings, a bag, a lampshade and more, this is for you too.

* Barbara from Half Yard Sewing Club *

Having never done Macrame, this book certainly delivered on its title. This book is extremely well presented. The contents page at the front lists the eight projects with a thumbnail photograph along with the knots to learn. They are listed in degree of difficulty and show each new knot you will learn in that particular project. The book then goes on to introduce you to the author, about Macrame, how to use the book, working safely, tools and materials, plenty of tips and “how to’s”. The techniques are exceptionally well photographed and illustrated making them very easy to follow and complete successfully. If you are a complete beginner starting on the first project and progressing through in the order the book intends (which we crafters very rarely do) this will result in a very comprehensive and successful course. I decided to do the first project, a keychain which I completed easily and enjoyed. It took me around 40 minutes. I am enthused and looking forward to completing all eight projects. This is a great book and a very rewarding new hobby.

* Lorraine from Half Yard Sewing Cl