The Big Book of Macramé

The Big Book of Macramé is designed for real-time reference while you work: you don’t have to read whole chapters every time. It includes a visual guide to symbols for interpreting the diagrams and pinpointing the knot you need, so you can go straight to the exact part you’re interested in and return to your project without breaking your flow. This is especially useful when you’re repeating a motif or when you want to double-check a step before tightening your knotting.

What’s more, the system is built around “look and do”: the diagrams show how the motif is constructed, how the knots link together and how the sequence repeats. If you’re into diagrams or you’re looking for a knots and projects manual that doesn’t rely on never-ending explanations, in The Big Book of Macramé the visual navigation is what makes the difference when you’re working with cord right in front of you.

The Big Book of Macramé takes into account that you won’t always have the exact cord shown in the photos or materials list. The idea is that you can work with the cord you have, as long as it’s suitable in thickness and behaviour for the type of knot (for example, that it doesn’t unravel too much if the motif needs definition). This gives you room to use haberdashery supplies or the materials you normally use for your macramé.

It also explains that measurements and quantities are a guide and can vary depending on cord thickness and how tightly you knot, and it recommends checking before cutting if you’re adapting materials. If your concern when buying The Big Book of Macramé is “will it force me to use an exact material?”, the practical answer is that the book is designed to help you adapt, not restrict you, and you can see that in how it approaches working with cords.

Yes, because The Big Book of Macramé starts with the working basics: how to set up your piece, what tools and elements are used (cords, findings, hanging loops, beads) and, above all, how to begin a project without improvising. This is what most often causes a block when you’re starting or returning: it’s not only “knowing a knot”, but knowing how to mount, secure and finish so the result looks neat.

What’s more, the book includes resources designed to prevent common mistakes: starting choices depending on the type of piece, finishing techniques and a frequently asked questions section that helps you correct tension and finishing habits. If you’re looking for reviews of The Big Book of Macramé to see whether it’s genuinely practical, what matters is that the approach is designed for methodical learning and for coming back to it whenever you get stuck.

Yes, and it’s one of the most useful points when you want your macramé to suit your style or the final use. In The Big Book of Macramé, lengths in centimetres and cord diameters are used as a reference, but it’s made clear that the final size can increase or decrease depending on cord thickness and knot tension. This means the same approach can be used to make a lighter or sturdier piece without changing the “language” of the knot. What’s more, because the motifs are explained in a structured way (how they repeat and how they connect), you can adjust proportions, lengthen sections or combine variations to achieve a different visual effect. If you’re looking for a macramé knots and projects book to create pieces your way, this book helps you move from “following” to “designing” with much more confidence.

If you already know how to tie individual knots, The Big Book of Macramé helps you make the leap that really shows: building complete motifs, understanding repeatable structures and achieving more professional finishes without relying on trial and error. The important thing isn’t only “which knot it is”, but how it’s combined to form nets, textures, relief and panels that look consistent and well balanced. That’s the part that’s often missing in simpler books or in scattered tutorials.

It also offers a working system for planning and making, with resources for choosing how to start depending on the piece and for finishing neatly. If you’re looking at The Big Book of Macramé by Märchen Art Studio because you want a true “workbench” manual and not just inspiration, the value here is the method: it organises your knowledge and gives you tools to apply what you already know to more complex results.