Macrame (needlework)

Refers to coarse lace or fringe made by knotting cords or thick threads in a geometric pattern. The term comes from Turkish "makrama," meaning "napkin," or "towel." It was a specialty of Genoa, where towels decorated with knotted cord were popular in the 19th century. The predecessor of macrame was the 16th-century technique of knotting lace known as "punto a groppo." In the 1960s macrame became a popular craft and creative art technique in America and in Europe. It has been used to create lampshades, plant hangers, hammocks, window coverings, and wall hangings.