MAKER SPOTLIGHT: Modern Macramé by Sarah Louise

Kicking off our new series of Maker Spotlight is Sarah Louise from Modern Macramé.  If you hadn't already guessed, she uses Macramé to bring her ideas to life.

Macramé is the art of knotting string (or wool) in patterns to make decorative items.  You've probably seen it used to make plant and pot holders, but you've probably never seen it like this...

We had a chat to Sarah Louise to find out more about what she does and why she loves it so much.

When did you start your craft?
I have always been a crafter experimenting with various mediums and techniques.  However following a lengthy period of serious illness I needed something to refocus my mind and help me relax - something I could do while sitting down resting, whether that be at home or outside.  I stumbled across a macramé on the internet and thought I would give it a try. From there I have built on techniques and styles, started to draw and cut my own frames to base my designs on. I have started to mix macramé with knitting, crochet and weaving to give a varying texture and look. 

What do you like best about macramé?
My favourite thing about macramé is the endless possibilities it offers. Nothing is impossible, everything is possible. Having taken requests for various things I have sometimes sat and thought how am I going to achieve this, is it even possible? The answer has always been yes.  

Do you have a favourite thing to make?
I am a massive animal lover, so I love to make animal wall hangings!  I love the challenge of getting the fine details just perfect.

Why is crafting important to you?
Crafting for me is helping me recover from illness and offering me that focus. It offers me connection with others from across the world and enables me to bring a smile to the face of people who receive the pieces I make.

What are your preferred products to use?
For the macramé elements in my pieces I use between 2mm-4mm 3ply macramé string in various colours. I use merino for the weaving and knitting elements of my pieces which I sometimes card on my drum carder to create blends which I then spin by hand.  I have been known to use sari yarn and velvet in some of my pieces which adds a nice texture and depth.

Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to take up macramé?
Don't be afraid to experiment, there is no right and there is no wrong when it comes to art.  Just go for it!

What's your favourite thing about World of Wool? (Of course, we have to have a leading question too...)
The World of Wool team makes creators' lives a breeze. Having an easy to navigate website where you can quickly find products is a huge benefit to me.  You know you can rely on it being delivered promptly and well packaged.  I love it when an email drops in my inbox with new products and I love the annual advent calendar, can't wait to get my hands on this years!

Is there anything else you'd like to add for our woolly readers?
I am a firm believer that crafting is a therapy, a therapy that can offer so much right when you need it and who knows what opportunities it may open up and where it may take you. I love that I can always take a piece of macramé with me to work on. No matter where I am you will always find me with fibre in my bag so at any one moment I can sit and create.

You can find Modern Macrame by Sarah Louise on Instagram here