Macrame Monday is coming to you a day late because yesterday was Labor Day, and I took the day off to do fun stuff. Like laundry. I also had a killer sinus headache. Our weather has been cool then warm then rainy, and the shifting air pressure always does a number on my sinuses.

Last week I completed work on a project that I am very proud of. Every day I couldn't wait to work on it. It gave me good feelings. I began with the intention of creating a macrame-weaving hybrid, a macraweave.

I began with Niroma Studio's 6mm bright white cotton string and a 24" copper pipe. I measured two arms width for each cord and attached to the pipe with a larkshead knot. My original plan was to weave brightly-colored yard in the triangle on the upper right side. I created the  space using diagonal clove hitches. Diagonal clove hitches have always given me trouble. When working right to left, they look great, but when I work left to right, they've looked sloppy. Somehow I found my groove and just kept going.

I abandoned my original plan and just went with it. A row here, a row there. I would know when it was done. As the hanging began to take shape, the zigs and zags evoked the waterfalls that surround the town. I named the completed piece "Waterfalls." I plan to  create a series of waterfall hangings. I've always been attracted to lines and simple patterns. While waterfalls are not straight lines, the combination of diagonal clove hitches and random placement of the lines still manages to be both random and orderly.

Yesterday, I learned a new word, courtesy of Australian macrame artist Honi Roberts (@knottedhoney on IG). "Macrastinate."

I feel like last week I did the opposite of "macrastinate." I ignored a project that was giving me the fits. I was stuck, didn't know where to go next. So I do what I do when I want to avoid something... I went on an organizing frenzy and cleaned out my closet and drawers. Next on my organizing task list is all my and the kid's craft supplies. But this is Macrame Monday...

I finally did come back to the that project. A macrame wreath inspired by a wintery white wreath I saw on Instagram or Facebook (I've got to start Pinning these inspirations so I can give proper credit. If you know who I'm talking about, leave a comment). Did she need fancy jewelry or flowers? Turns out all this lady needed was a haircut. The solar eclipse must have found its way into my subconscious and affected the way I trimmed the rope. I call her "Eclipse."

I've become more interested in creating macrame jewelry. Wearable art. I am not one to wear a lot of bling or "in your face" jewelry, if I wear any at all. My personal style leans to the simple and minimalist. Lately, though, I have found myself drawn to organic elements like wood beads, copper, and fiber. So one night after the kid went to bed, I made this beauty.

I never thought mustard and lavender would make such a lovely combination. I love mustard, but the color has never looked good on me. Lavender is one of my favorite colors (and plant and scent). The delicate lavender paired with the punch of mustard looks beautiful against a white or black tee.

Finally, I began practicing knots from Lise Silva's Knot: A Book. I successfully made a cloud knot and a switchback knot. I plan to turn them both into necklaces.

Now I am off to "macrastinate." I can't wait to show you what I started yesterday. What have you been working on? Show me, and share your instagram page in the comments.

Last week I completed work on a medium-sized wall hanging. Using copper pipe I purchased at Lowe's and bright white 6mm cotton string from Niroma Studio, I used square knots and horizontal and diagonal half clove hitch knots. When I start a piece, I have a general idea of what I want to do, but I do not sketch out a pattern or design. And often what I originally planned becomes something else. 

One evening I made a quickie little key fob. I need to do more simple projects with basic designs. I often find I fly off on an incoherent tangent when I start to get too experimental. Simple works for a reason. I've always preferred simp[e. Vanilla ice cream, chocolate cookies, jeans and a T. Just because something is simple does not mean it can't be beautiful. I need to remember this going forward with my macrame.

Of course, there are times when simple and experimental work amazingly. On Instagram, I saw Anna of Mannacrame create some lovely weavy type knots in the center of her pieces. Her work inspired me to try it for myself. I decided to use some variegated crochet yarn (Sugar N Cream from Michaels) on a gold hoop (also from Michaels). After weaving and twisting and rearranging the strings, I settled upon the work below. I don't think it needs any embellishment. The beautiful intertwined rainbow of colors works well on its own.