Macrame Cord Guide: Choose the Best One from Different Types
There aren’t many materials needed to make amazing macrame masterpieces, but there sure is a lot of macrame cord! This affordable crafting material is available in a wide range of colors and styles to meet the needs of any project. However, choosing the best macrame cord type and learning about each cord might be tricky for beginners.
Throughout this article, we’ll be discussing macrame cord in great detail, and by the end of the reading, you should have a good understanding of the many forms of macrame cord, their purposes, and how to choose the best one for your project.
What Is Macrame Cord?
Macrame cord can be defined as any length of twisted fiber threads used in the art of macramé. They are normally made of natural cotton, but you may also find linen cord, jute cord, crochet thread, twine cord, and knitting wool to use for a variety of crafts.
Macrame is a fiber artwork that entails tying and knotting. Therefore it’s important that the rope you use is soft and smooth. It is easier to knot since the fibers and strands do not get tangled and fray when they are caught between each other.
Types of Macrame Cord
There are a variety of cords to choose from when purchasing Macrame supplies, and many Macrame artists use the phrase “Macrame cords” as an umbrella term. Macrame cords of various sorts can be distinguished primarily by how they are twisted and put together.
Macrame cord comes in three variants:
- Braided
- Single Strand
- 3-strand/3-ply
Macrame Braided Cord
Braided cord, also known as Macrame rope, is the type of macrame cord you’ll find in your local retail stores.
The braided cord is the most common starting point for macrame beginners since it is the most cost-effective and easiest to use. Many craft stores and big-box stores sell braided cords. When novices need to get started right away, most of them head to the nearest store and buy the cheapest cord they can find.
Macrame enthusiasts will soon realize that a braided cord is not the best choice for creating macrame artworks. To explain this, one must understand that braided cords are basically ropes made up of several types of natural or synthetic fibers, such as nylon, polyester, and polypropylene. Though useful for tying items together, it’s tough to untie and fringe because of its tight weave.
As a result, a braided cord is a good place to begin. It does the job, and you’ll be left with a quality project at the end of it.
Macrame Single Strand Cord
If you are interested in taking up macrame as a regular hobby or as a full-time profession, a single-strand cotton cord is perhaps the best sort of cord to use.
In general, a single-strand cord is more costly; therefore, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money straight immediately on a pricey cord, look for some affordable cotton cord and start there.
The learning process will be much boosted as long as the hands are comfy. It will make cutting the cord, tying knots, undoing knots, and fringing the cord a lot less difficult in the future.
Macrame 3-Stands/3-Ply Cord
A three-ply cord is sometimes known as a three-strand cord. It is constructed from three smaller strands that are twisted together to form a thicker rope. You will often hear macrame artists refer to 3-ply or 4-ply macrame cord, and this simply means the number of threads twisted together to make a single strand of cord, not the number of strands itself.
When you start working with macrame cords that have more than three strands, you are dealing with what is known as multi-ply, which can consist of four, five, or six strands that are all twisted together to produce one strand.
How to Choose the Right Macrame Cord
Choosing the suitable macrame code is essential for crafters of each level. Here are the several features we need to keep in mind when deciding.
Materials
The material used to make the macrame cord plays an important role in its quality. Fibers, nylon, and satin rayon are just a few materials used in macrame designs. In the past, many macrame artists used jute and hemp as their favorite fibers. Artificial fabrics like nylon and rayon macrame have gained popularity over time.
When you’re just getting started, choose nylon since it’s simple to work with. When you start knotting, you’re going to make a few blunders. If you make an error using nylon, you’ll have no problem unraveling it.
Twist
Many newbies buy macrame rope because it is the least expensive option and easiest to find. Macrame rope, however, isn’t the best choice of cable after completing a few projects. When it comes to tying items together, a braided cord works best since it provides a secure hold, but it is difficult to unravel.
A twisted strand unravels considerably more swiftly than a braided macrame cord, which is something we should be aware of. Macrame projects should be started with the ends of the cord treated to keep the threads from unraveling. To deal with the ends, the ends can be dipped in melted clear wax.
If you want to create fringe, you must guarantee that the strands do not split further than the fringe’s length. When the fringe is knotted at the top, this is doable.
Strength
We need a robust macrame cord to make knotting easier. Because not all macrame cords are strong, it might be difficult for beginners to decide which one to employ.
If you want a sturdy chord, you can consider materials such as jute, ribbon, leather, or nylon. The cord’s strength is usually determined by whether the individual threads were braided or twisted during production.
Stiffness
Your macrame pattern will be difficult to follow if we use a rigid cord. Use a flexible macrame cord to get the best outcome. Check the cord’s diameter to make sure it’s the optimum fit for the project at hand.
The thinner the macrame rope, the better for a necklace. The cotton cord is extremely pliable and comfortable to work with. If a cotton macrame cord can’t be found, you’ll use leather, but it must be no wider than 2mm.
Thickness
When purchasing macrame cords, take in mind the type of project you’re working on. Whether you can incorporate them into beads, buttons, or any other embellishment of your choice is something to keep in mind. Millimeters are the best way to measure the thickness of macrame rope (mm).
For bracelets and necklaces, use a cord with a diameter of no more than 2mm. But if you purchase ropes with a diameter of greater than 4 mm, you will need to work with oversized accessories.
Texture
A bracelet fashioned with a rough cord would be unattractive to everyone. To avoid rashes or more serious issues, it is best to avoid macrame ropes that are too rough on the skin. Hemp and metallic cords should not be used while manufacturing jewelry, especially bracelets and necklaces, because they are harsh on the skin.
Silk, satin rayon, nylon, and cotton macrame cords are ideal since they aren’t harsh. Leather, on the other hand, softens over time, making it a viable option for your projects.
Wrapping Up
Macrame cord is hard to come by. There are a lot of cords out there, and you need to understand which one is best for your purpose. In addition, it’s nearly impossible to determine which macrame cords are reliable until you try them all before making a purchase.
Using the guidelines above while shopping for a macrame cord will help alleviate some of the stress and hassle of dealing with shoddy products. We hope this article has helped you on your path to becoming a true macrame guru!
