Macramé is the new yoga!

It is no denying that this past year gave us all time to explore new hobbies, take up old ones and really get in touch with our creative sides. According to Facebook, over a quarter of a million people in Ireland joined hobby groups on Facebook in activities such as gardening, arts and crafts, crochet and cooking since the outbreak of Covid-19. One craft that has really exploded in popularity over the past few months in macramé – and these days, you'd be hard-pressed to find an interior magazine or blogger without seeing several pieces of it, be it a plant-hanger, wall art or even coasters and other table decors. With its laid back bohemian vibe, macramé (pronounced macra-may) is cropping up everywhere from homewares to jewellery to clothing and all over Pinterest. If you don't know, macrame is a crafting technique using your hands to tie knots in rope, creating various textiles and accessories. Believed to have originated in Turkey, it was taken up by sailors bored on long voyages. It was hugely popular during the 1970s and 80s, and is seeing a revival once again. And if you are thinking of trying your hand at it, you need to check out Irish website Macrame.ie, where owner Fiona Cooke has made it so easy to get started. Macrame.ie specialises in creating and sourcing materials for macramé textile art. Fiona says she has noticed an uplift in this area. “We have seen a huge uptake in supplies over lockdown. Since the third lockdown in September, our sales have quadrupled, with no signs of slowing down. Our most popular products were natural ropes, but the Irish crafter is getting very adventurous and we are selling ropes in a myriad of colours. It is a simple skill to learn, easier than knitting, no costly equipment and the results are super fast and visually impressive.” Many are also taking up macramé for its effect on stress levels – it is mindfulness in action. "Macrame also seems to have similar effects to Mala prayer beads in meditation and yoga, because you are using your hands to make repetitive knots. Mala beads are used mostly as a mindfulness aid; their purpose is to keep you focused during meditation. It is the repetitive movement of your fingers that helps ground you." In fact, Fiona thinks, macramé seems to be the new yoga! "Everyone that has taken up the craft writes to tell me how meditative and grounding they are finding it.” So if you have spotted gorgeous macramé pieces on Pinterest, and fancy trying to make some for yourself, whether you are thinking of plant hangers, cushion cover or wall hangings, make sure you check out Macrame.ie for rope supplies and workshops.