Macramé << MAK ruh may >> is the art of creating practical and decorative articles by knotting cord, rope, or string. It can be used to make clothing and such accessories as belts and purses, as well as sculptures, wall hangings, and other ornamental items.
Many individual cords are knotted together to make a macramé article. The two basic knots used are the clove hitch and the square knot. These knots may be combined with each other or with different knots in an unlimited number of arrangements. Beads, bells, feathers, and other small objects can be tied into the work for variety. 
Arabian weavers probably developed knotting during the 1200’s. The word macramé comes from an Arabic or Turkish word for towel, or napkin. In the 1970’s, macramé had a revival as a modern handicraft. Fiber artists and craftworkers developed new patterns and uses for the finished fabrics. Macramé was often combined with basketmaking, embroidery, knitting, and other techniques.
