Hello 70's and Early 80's
Can you hardly believe it? I know... Macrame is returning back into fashion! My friend Colleen is going to be saying, "I knew it!" and pulls out her 70's LP's.
Can I tell you how much I know about Macrame! I don't know SQUAT!
Daniel has been on me since early 2015 telling me it's going to come back. I'm like, tell it to the judge! Looks like I lost in court! I don't know how to fake cry but if I could, now is the right time.
Now is the time for a dance music break! Stayin' Alive!
In my near future, like really near that I was going to film today. My head spinning in circles! The instructions me to do this, do that... over hand this, what am earth am I doing? So I realized I cannot film and teach people at this moment.
Understanding the Way You Learn
My mother taught me memory hooks as a child. You see that on my YouTube Channel a lot. It contradicts the standards of teaching crochet. However, my memory as a child in learning complex things were aided by memory hooks to make things click in.
So some people, they want the instruction. Insert the hook here, and do this. For me, I explain to insert the hook and tell you why it's important to do the next step. Showing you that each step plays off each other. So instead of leading you like sheep, you are gaining understanding on exactly what your goals are.
A real-life example would be at a former job. "I need you to move this skid from here to there!" I wanted to know why I am moving the skid. Instead of being dictated to, I wanted to be part of the motion with comprehension to know I was part of a step. "We need you to move the skid from here to there so Sandy can unload the boxes!" Suddenly, my step on why I am doing was moving a skid clicked in. It may sound stupid, but I don't like to follow without understanding the bigger picture.
Back to the Start of The Crochet Crowd
Just before I filmed my first video tutorials back in 2008. I watched another host. She referenced the motion of Yarn over and insert hook!. I didn't know what Yarn Over was. I was lost. I realized I couldn't follow her because the language is more than I personally know for skill level. If she would have said wrap the hook, I would have been fine.
So Macrame is my future, in reading a set of instructions to prepare for filming today. It said to do an overhand knot! What is that?
So I have to turn back time and begin to research my way and film the basics of Macrame before I can continue. I realize I cannot teach Macrame if I don't know the basics. I realize others can't learn Macrame if I don't know what I am talking about. Others cannot be expected to learn with lingo that is unfamilar to them.
The Trend is Here for Macrame
More and more yarns are coming out that is trending for Macrame and craft usage.
Yarn that are like cords and have the strength to hold up pots and other things.
I'm not upset I have to learn this, in fact, it's something new. I know some people, including me, get burn out. So this may be a change of pace. I have seen Macrame even up at Michaels for sale as a finished item. I realized, I can Macrame that... but I have to learn how to first.
So I am going to create a mini series of the basics of macrame. Wish me luck! I'm going in girls!
KDefSa says
I actually have 15 copy boxes full of macramé cord and cording accessories in my basement. Given to me by my cousin, after her mother, my aunt passed away. I am looking forward to the MAL, to finally be able to use some of it.
Jane Osborne says
I too did macrame items in the 60s and and 70s, in fact, I helped finance my college education by selling my work at craft fairs. I have continued to make items for gifts, (such as plant hangers), throughout the years, but it has been difficult to find appropriate cord to work with. I am allergic to jute and wool so I am very excited that synthetic materials are being produced that can be used for macrame. I will be one of the first to jump on any MAL you start, and help as much as I can. Mikey, go for it!
Jamadon Beever says
I absolutely love seeing this from the crochet crowd. I remember my mom doing macrame when i was little. She made a swing that hung in my grandmothers home that me and my cousins use to swing on. It was so cool to be swinging inside the house. Now that i own my own home and have my first grandbaby here i want to make a swing for him to make memories. I have always wanted to learn this technique but my mother passed away so i have no one to learn from now. I love mikeys crochet tutorials they have been so helpful. It would be awesome to see some great macrame tutorials because there isnt a lot of them out there that i have seen. Thank you mikey for all that you do.