From yarn to art: A look at the Macramé Workshop at Crisp Museum

Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus held a macramé workshop at Crisp Museum on Feb. 1.

Crisp Museum is known for its many educational, recreational and extracurricular workshops and events that are held throughout the year. These experiences are open to both the public and students.

Four community members and two students were present, and junior BFA art major Rae Perry led the workshop.

The macramé workshop was $5 for all attendees.

According to Lauren Thomann, a writer for The Spruce Crafts, macramé is the art of weaving different yarns or textures to create various objects, such as wall art, plant holders or other shapes.

Each person was given a paper handout, six inch wooden stick, a ruler board and scissors to start out. The instructions were also said aloud by Perry.

Junior double major in Social Work and Music Rebekah Gilbert, was interested in learning more about macramé.

“I really like to crochet and I’ve started to learn embroidery, so I thought macramé would be fun,” Gilbert said.

Participators got to choose their own yarn which was offered in many textures and colors. They were to pick out nine pieces in total.

Eight of the pieces were to be cut at 21 inches, and one cut to 22 inches. Perry was also working on this macramé for demonstration purposes.

Through step-by-step instruction, each person created their own unique macramé.

The group learned numerous knots, including the Lark’s Head knot, Square knot, Half-Hitch knot and Double Half-Hitch knot.

The process took half of the provided time, allowing each person to complete another macramé. This time around, there was less instruction and time needed.

“[Crisp Museum] gives us the option, especially the art majors, to host workshops and help with them along with other opportunities,” Perry said.

Perry learned Macramé specifically for the workshop and provided very easy and supportive feedback for the current learners.

Each participant went home with double the macramé they came to do, and were also allowed to take products home to make more in their spare time.