Macramé Tools

Macramé is an ancient Arabian weaver’s art used to craft decorative fringes on items such as veils, shawls and bath towels. Today, belts, wall hangers, plant hangers and jewelry are made with this knotting technique. With practice, intricate one-of-a-kind projects can be made. Macramé requires a few, inexpensive tools to get started.

The main tool needed for macramé is a project mounting board. The board is the working surface where the work is secured. Boards with grid inch marks and sizing guides printed on the fronts are found at craft stores. However, a project board can be made by gluing sheets of foam together or with cork. As long as it is thick enough to stop the pins from sticking out the back, the board can be suitable for a macramé project.

T-Pins are used to hold the macramé yarn or thread to the mounting board. T-pins come in different sizes. Smaller pins are best when doing small, finer projects. After repeat use pins tend to bend. Those made of steel are sturdier and hold up for longer use.

There are many projects to make with macramé -- from purses to baby mobiles. A tool that comes in handy is a macramé pattern. Macramé patterns give step-by-step instructions on the knots to use, measurement guides and final assembly instructions. Purchase patterns or find them free online.

A good pair of sharp scissors can be used to precisely cut threads on a macramé project. There are different sizes and grips for comfort. Consider buying the type with a sheath protector to protect the blades.

Tweezers are another tool used for decorative work. A pair of tweezers can be used to help knot fine threads between bead-work.

Needles are also used with macramé. Needles are used to assemble the finished project and for beadwork. Blunt-end or tapestry needles and Chenille or sharp needles are used depending on preference. Different sizes are used to accommodate the types of yarn such as silk or nylon and for different shaped beads.