When beginning a new project, an important first step is choosing the right fiber. This can be a very fun and exciting process as there are so many options, but it can also be a bit overwhelming if you don't know where to begin... so let's break it down a little.

We are going to focus on three main categories: Fiber Content, Size & Texture.

Fiber Content:Whether you're looking for rope, cord, string or yarn you will want to decide whether you'd like to work with a NATURAL or SYNTHETIC fiber. 

Natural fibers include cotton, linen, jute, wool & hemp and are ideal for indoor projects, home décor, jewelry, accessories, gift wrap & textiles. They are also biodegradable, therefore making them a good earth-friendly option for crafting.

Synthetic fibers include polypropylene, acrylic, nylon & plastic and are ideal for outdoor projects as they will hold up well rain or shine & not break down over time with the elements.

Size:
Rope comes in such a wide variety of sizes/diameters, some more suitable for certain projects than others.

Smaller Ropes, 3mm or less work wonderfully for jewelry, as well as projects that are small or delicate. Check out some of our favorite projects that use smaller diameter cords here.

Medium Ropes, 4mm-7mm are perhaps most commonly used, a great size for macramé beginners, more sturdy than the smaller ropes and the perfect size for plant hangers, wall hangings, furniture, lanterns, curtains, rugs, etc.

Large Ropes, 8mm-12mm (and bigger) make a visual statement and are so fun to work with particularly for wall hangings, like our Columns and Arches Wall Hanging. They can be a bit more challenging to work with because of their size, but worth the effort. 

Texture:

Texture is an important element to consider visually, as you can certainly add interest to a piece by adding some fun fiber with texture. 

You may also want to consider the way the fiber feels to work with, especially if you're knotting up something large - a fiber like jute looks great but can be a little rough on the hands. Not to worry though, thankfully gloves are good way to save your hands when working with a rough textured fiber.

We currently offer Cotton, Jute, Felted Wool & Polypropylene rope & string, continue reading to learn more about each of these fibers.

COTTON is fantastic to work with and so versatile, can be used for practically any project. It is easy on the hands, soft to the touch, and comes in multiple sizes and textures. We offer cotton rope & string, and all of our cotton is 100% Oeko Tex Certified, made exclusively for Modern Macramé by our manufacturer in Turkey. 

Our cotton rope is available in 3mm 2-ply (this rope works well for lighter, softer, more delicate projects), 5mm 3-ply (what we use for all of our workshops and what we recommend for beginners), 6mm 2-ply (a wonderful, recycled cotton option!), 12mm 3-ply (for your large scale or bulky projects) and a wide variety of large diameter statement piece fibers in 16mm, 20mm, 24mm, and 30mm. 

Our cotton string is incredibly soft, knots up beautifully and almost effortlessly and is available in 2mm 1-ply, 4mm 1-ply, 9mm 1-ply, and 12mm 1-ply.

JUTE is a sturdy, natural fiber with nice texture and color. It is rough and scratchy, but a good utilitarian fiber that looks lovely knotted up.
Our Jute Rope is available in 6mm 1-ply.

FELTED WOOL is a fun, bulky and soft statement fiber. Use it to make a lush and gorgeous rug or add some wooly flair to a rope wall hanging.
Our Felted Wool is available in approx. 8mm 1-ply.

POLYPROPYLENE is a durable, long-lasting rope that will hold up well in the elements which makes it a good choice for outdoor projects.
Our Polypropylene Rope is available in 12mm braided.

We also offer recycled plastic rope in 4mm braided and 2mm braided.

Do you have a favorite fiber? Is there something you're looking for and cannot find on our Website? Please let us know & Happy Knotting!