Cord Preparation
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| Cord preparation is
a vital step in any Macrame project. Before I learned how
to treat the strands so they didn’t unravel, messy frayed
ends frustrated me. Twisted cord, in particular, came apart
every time I used it. Then I learned a few simple techniques
that taught me how to prevent the problem. After you cut all
your cords to the proper length, use any of the following
techniques. |
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My personal favorite
is using candle wax to coat the ends of the cords. Obtain
a jar candle, preferably white or the same color as the cords.
Light the candle and let the wax melt for a while. Blow
the candle out. Dip the ends of the Macrame cords
in the liquid wax. I usually bundle a group of them, then
dip them all together. Hold them above the jar to let the
excess wax drip off. Allow the cords to cool. If they stick
together, pull them apart gently. |
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Another way to prepare cords is
to apply glue to the ends. There are specific types available
for this process. You can also use liquid puzzle glue, or
household glue diluted with water. Put some in a bowl, and
dip the ends. Glue doesn’t dry as fast as wax, so you
need to hang the cords over something while they dry. |
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| Someone told me they prefer to use nail polish
to treat the ends of cords. I’ve never tried this myself,
but I bet it works just as well as glue. You can dip the ends,
or lay the cords on a work surface and paint the nail polish
on them. |
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You can apply cellophane or masking
tape to the ends as a temporary measure to prevent unraveling.
This technique is especially useful if using twisted cord
rather than braided. When you are at the end of the project
and tying the finishing knots, just cut off the portion with
the tape. |
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| Another easy method to prepare cords is to tie
a knot at the end. I do this often, since I can simply cut
off the knot in the final steps. The best knots to use are
the Overhand
knot, the Barrel
knot, and the Matthew
Walker knot. |
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| There are other, riskier, methods used for cord
preparation. For example, burning or melting the ends has
been suggested in some books I’ve read. Fire and cords
don’t mix, in my mind, since most are made of flammable
materials. I’m very safety conscious, so I don’t
use these risky methods myself. If you wish to do so, that’s
fine, but be careful! |
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Have
any comments or suggestions about Cord Preparation? Contact
Me.
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to Macrame Essentials
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