A brief history: macramé has made its way back into pop culture over the last several years with a modern and updated twist. It was last popularized in the 1970s when plant hangers, lampshades, and other bohemian creations joined mainstream culture and fashion.

Did you know that macramé can be traced back much earlier than that? The origin is generally attributed to Arabic weavers during the 13th century who used decorative knots to finish the loose ends of hand-woven textiles. Decorative knot-tying can also be traced back to third-century China on ceremonial textiles and wall hangings. The craft eventually spread throughout Europe and became a common way for early maritime sailors to spend their days at sea creating complex, decorative knots that had many practical uses aboard their ships and turned out to be great entertainment and sources of income as they would sell and barter their knotted goods while on land.

Our artist: like the craft itself, Rachel has spent years developing her skills and finding her voice in the macramé community. After some reflection and time outdoors, she found a way to combine her passions for both fiber art and nature, and her macramé landscapes were born. Rachel has devoted much time and research to her materials, including sourcing the custom dyed cotton string she uses today - the same material we are including in this kit. And what a wonderful string it is! Not only is her cotton string of choice durable, like you'd expect of a macramé rope, it's incredibly soft and malleable. Translation — no more blisters! Experienced fiber artists know how rare this is, and we are so excited to share with you (and your hands) our palette of earthy colors.

In this workshop, we start off with one of Rachel's favorite landscapes inspired by Joshua Tree. Once Rachel teaches us her skills, you'll be able to start creating scenes that are special to you. We hope you enjoy connecting with nature and art through this unique take on macramé.