A History of Macrame and Decorative Knot Tying
...de from twine which were thought to bear special significance.” Creating twine and tying it into knots is a very simplistic technology, which might explain why the craft showed up in Persia in the 13th Century. A more likely explanation is that the technique was passed through trade, as the Middle East was the center of commerce between Western Europe and the Far East throughout modern history. The Arabs called it Migramah, or coverlet, and adorned their veils, towels, blankets, and shawls with it. The Turks called it Makrama, meaning napkin or towel. It translates first into Italian and then into French as Macramé. If trade is the explanation we are accepting for the spread of knot tying throughout the world, then the fact that the Italians- world renowned merchants and sailors- had the word first only supports this theory. Sources disagree on how macramé made its way to Western Europe. Although some cite the Moorish Conquest in the 8th Century A.D., it is not likely. Given the fact that the Turks were not proven to know of macramé during that period, it is more likely that trade, specifically over water, is once again the culprit. Sailors naturally found macramé to be a productive use of their time. They would make objects during the long hours out to sea and barter with or sell them once in port. It is in this manner that the art was shown to the court of Queen Mary, wife of King William of Orange, in the 17th Century . Queen Mary was herself very fond of knotting. ...