Do you want a picture-perfect chair but don’t know the first thing about macramé? Today, when redecorating is more popular than ever, consumers are looking for versatile furnishings that can complement a variety of decor styles. These woven chairs are not only works of art in their own right, but also a versatile addition to any room.
Macrame refers to a group of techniques for creating textiles by knotting and stringing together strands of material. Cloth, covers, and furniture upholstery can all benefit from the distinctive weave created by the combination of these knots and sizes of cords. Macrame is frequently used to accentuate otherwise boring or simple views due to the course and geometric surfaces it creates.
Macramé nearly disappeared into obscurity when it became associated solely with beach and boho decor. Because of the cyclical nature of the fashion industry, macrame has made a triumphant return, with even more sophisticated and daring pieces being produced today than in the past. As long as the textile is involved, it can be used on nearly any system.
Easy Steps In Making Macrame Chair
You might picture macrame being used for things like hammocks and hats, but its origins can be traced back to wall hangings. To this day, macrame chairs and cots are still widely used because they were first fashioned by sailors while at sea.
You’re definitely interested in crafting a macrame chair, so here are several tried-and-true methods:
Step #1. Pick out some weaving materials
The materials you use will determine the final quality of your macrame chair. A high-end set of chair cables may seem like a great idea at first, but we urge you to give it some serious thought. Because, why not? High-end materials result in high-quality goods.
Learning and perfecting the craft of weaving is what you should prioritize if this is your first endeavor. It’s crucial to tie the knots correctly in these kind of tasks to prevent the expensive materials from being damaged or wasted.
Naturally, this does not mean that you should make do with worn out equipment. Instead, choose things that fall somewhere in the middle yet are still good enough for practice.
You need to get ready by doing the following:
- Chair
- Macramé is a type of string used in many different crafts.
- Crochet hook, extra-large
- The use of scissors and
- Lighter
This essay will focus on macrame techniques specifically for use on a foldable metal or aluminum chair. Once you’ve mastered the technique on a basic chair, moving on to more complicated frames and designs should be a breeze.
Step #2. Remove all the fabrics from your chair
The seat and back support surfaces of steel and aluminum chairs are typically thick textiles. These textiles are attached to the perimeter of the frame with stitches. These can be cut off with relative ease.
Before you start weaving, wipe down the chair so that only the frame remains. Be sure to scrape or use a solvent to get rid of any glue or other adhesives left behind by the prior cloth.
Step #3. Start weaving vertically
To begin, leave a tail of about 3 to 4 inches of thread and tie a square knot on the edge of the seat of the chair nearest you. Grab this end and place it inside the chair, then use your other hand to ease the longer end over the nearest edge.
Pull the rope behind the chair so that it passes under the joint’s edge and around the top of the back’s support.
Wrap the moving end around your finger to create a loop, then position the loop on the outside side of the vertical weave. Make a loop, then use a crochet hook to pull it closed. The movable end is best handled by tucking it under the bottom edge and bringing it around the top border of the seat from below.
Repeatedly make a loop with the working end and secure it with a second crochet hook. To make a chain loop, insert the crochet hook between the new loop and the loop you just held, then pull the moving end back to the top edge.
Repeat this process back and forth until you reach the curved outer corners of the frame. As a last step in making a vertical weave, a square knot tied toward the inner edge will secure your moving end. Lightly burn the cord’s edge with a lighter so that it remains complete.
Step #4. Add a horizontal weave
Make a square knot at the exact corner where the vertical weave began. The patterns on your chair will be made by the horizontal weave, which runs parallel to the vertical weave.
Put the moving end over two or three vertical cords, then under them. Making a checkered pattern requires alternating between the two.
The edges can then be wrapped with the moving in the same manner as the vertical weave. However, the direction of your horizontal weaving is either left to right or right to left, with a portion of the weave on the seat terminating at the back of the chair.
Begin the back’s horizontal weaving at a corner at the seat’s edge and work your way up. The first steps are the same as when making a seat weaving: establish your pattern, weave it, and finish by tying a square knot.
Best Macrame Hanging Chairs
Best Overall: Y-Stop
Pros:
An ideal combination of features and affordability
Consists of a plush pillow and the necessary hooks for hanging it.
Famous name
Cons:
Only lighter shades are in stock.
In terms of affordability, quality, and useful features, the Y-Stop macrame chair is my top selection.
It can be used like a swing with two anchor points, or it can swivel with just one. It’s crafted from comfy cotton and finished with dangling tassels for a bohemian vibe. Y-stop is well-known for their reasonably priced hammocks, and this swinging seat is no exception.
The seat measures 80 by 60cm (approx. 32″ x 24″), which is roughly standard among the chairs available. It can only support up to 150 kilograms in weight, therefore it’s only good for one person (at most).
There are no darker colors available for the Y-Stop, but it does come in grey, beige, and white. All of the necessary hardware for hanging the chair and a plush pillow are included in the price.
Most Comfortable: Lazy Daze
Pros:
Constructed with a higher back for added support.
The most accommodating cushion ever, tailored according to the contours of your favorite chair
Suspension cords were kept at a safe distance apart.
Cons:
The priciest macrame chair ever sold
Disqualifies as a no-go for “swing mode”
The Lazy Daze macrame chair is worth the extra money if comfort is your first priority while furnishing a relaxing space in your house.
Its taller back (43cm/16.9″) gives more support than that of a standard chair, and its padded cushion is superior to those that come with other macrame chairs because of its custom fit to the chair’s design.
A second ring mounted near the chair’s top keeps the suspension ropes at a comfortable distance from each other, which both increases the chair’s stability and keeps you from being chafed by the ropes. However, this means that the chair functions best in a swing configuration when suspended from a single point.
This chair is the priciest option in this list, but if you have the means, it is definitely the one to get.
Largest Chair: Greenstell
Pros:
It’s about a third bigger than the average chair
Has a weight capacity that’s higher than average
Beige, blue, grey, and purple are just few of the vibrant hues that are available.
Cons:
Larger chair requires a larger pillow.
The Greenstell macrame hanging chair is the largest of its kind on the market, making it ideal for those who feel that more is always better.
The chair is about a third larger than a standard macrame chair, measuring 102 by 83cm (about 40″ x 33″). This extra space makes it suitable for people of larger stature who need more area to stretch out and relax.
It can hold up to 350 pounds, which is higher than typical, but still only one person at a time.
Greenstell also offers a more standard-sized chair, measuring 81 x 61cm (32″ x 24″), which is more in line with the competition. The larger chair comes in a variety of colors, including beige, blue, and grey, while the smaller chair comes in just grey.
Like the other chairs, it comes with the necessary gear to mount it to the ceiling and a plush cushion, though I would have preferred a larger pillow to go along with the larger dimensions of the chair itself.
Budget Pick: Everking
Pros:
Where can I find the cheapest chair possible?
Matching the size and design of the more expensive chairs
Cons:
There is no pillow or hooks for hanging provided.
Minimum carrying capacity
The Everking chair is perfect for those who need a comfortable seat but are working with a smaller budget. The netting is still made of cotton, as it is on the other chairs, and the dimensions are the same as the Y-stop, which was my favorite.
But it can only hold up to 265 pounds, the lowest of any of the options. Of course, this is still much beyond the typical adult weight, but it does make this chair the least sturdy in the room.
The standard suspension strings allow the chair to be hung from a single point or in swing mode from two points, and it comes in either white or beige.
The pricing is fantastic, but unlike the other goods, it does not come with a pillow or hanging hardware.
Best Black Chair: Giantex
Pros:
Colors besides black and green are also available.
Cost-effectiveness is not sacrificed at all
Cons:
There was no bedding or a place to hang it.
Up until now, all seats have been offered in just light hues; however, Giantex has differentiated their product by now supplying chairs in black and green in addition to the standard white and beige.
Giantex makes high-quality products at a reasonable price, which is why I’ve praised their hammocks and other items before (see, for example, my post on the best folding hammocks).
The Giantex product is very comparable in size and strength to my recommended Y-Stop, with the exception of the wider range of colors available. You can use it inside or outside, and it can support up to 330 pounds.
Keep in mind that it is reasonably priced because it does not include a cushion or hanging equipment.
Best With Lights: Surpcos
Pros:
Includes fairy lights to set the mood
Excellent load bearing capacity
Cost-effective, as mounting materials are included in the asking price
Cons:
Those lights aren’t made for the great outdoors.
There is no cushion supplied.
This next macrame chair is even more bohemian than the last because it is illuminated by rope lights.
Both star-shaped and round bulbs can be found in the string lights. These are battery operated (they need 3 AA batteries) and can be wrapped around the chair and suspension to create a more relaxing atmosphere.
It’s important to note that while the chair can be used either inside or outside, the lights are intended solely for indoor use. The chair can support more weight than the others we looked at and is larger than most single-use chairs, but it is still only designed to seat one person at a time.
While it lacks a cushion like some of the other options here, you can easily add one to make it more comfortable and complementary to your interior design. It comes with everything you need to mount it to the ceiling, however many reviewers have complained that the directions are unclear, suggesting that a professional electrician or handyman be hired instead.
Best for Two People: Grassman
Pros:
Large enough for two, yet not crowded
Sustainably thicker cotton for longer use.
Swings freely or is anchored to a single point.
Cons:
Larger chair doesn’t change the 330-pound limit.
Without a pillow or other means of suspension.
Last but not least, I suggest you check out Grassman’s two-person macrame chair. The chair’s width is 110 cm (43 inches), and it is reinforced with macrame netting that is thicker than that of standard chairs to prevent breaking.
Unless you’re both very little adults, the 330-pound weight limit means that this chair is better suited for use by a single adult and two children or dogs.
It can be suspended from a single point, like the other chairs, or from two for a swing configuration.
You’ll need to buy a hammock chair stand or pillow separately because they’re not included in the package.
How Often to Clean Macrame
Curtains, wall hangings, and plant holders made of macrame should be washed no more frequently than once a month. Normal use items such as purses, rugs, caps, and jewelry should be washed at least once every two weeks to eliminate dust and blemishes. Cleaning macrame items can be done in a variety of ways. The supplied methods were picked as the most secure options for macrame projects.
Things You’ll Need
- Dish Soap, Mild
- Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda
- Fluid That Is About The Temperature Of Room Temperature
- A Brush With Gentle Bristles
How to Wash Machine Macrame
Prepare the Macrame for Washing Machine
With the dust brushed away with a soft bristle brush, Place all ingredients in a washing machine set to the gentle cycle, add lukewarm water, and let the solution sit until all the ingredients have dissolved. In the case of very stubborn stains, such as paint or blueberry juice, pretreatment according to the corresponding stain removal instructions is recommended.
Caring for Older Macrame
If your macrame is old or fragile, wash it by hand in lukewarm water with a moderate detergent. Carefully and gently squeeze the solution through the macrame to get a complete application. Please rinse with cold water. It is not recommended that you squeeze.
Drying Macrame
Air-drying macrame is recommended to reduce the risk of wear and damage. Do not use heat or direct sunshine to dry the macrame; instead, hang it up. Macrame should be shaken vigorously and straightened once it has dried entirely.
How to Clean Macrame Plant Hanger
While in use, macrame plant hangers might be difficult to clean thoroughly. But, as it turns out, you can make your own version of almost any product. If it looks like the macrame plant hanger can’t be cleaned, it might be time to break out the spellbook.
Things You’ll Need
- Subtle detergent
- Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda
- Luke, the Warm Waters of
- To a glass of lemonade
- Two Bottles of Spray
Start by combining the cleaning solution in a spray bottle and then moving on to cleaning the macrame plant hanger. Apply the solution to the macramé portion of the plant hanger and let it dry. Put cold water in a second spray bottle and use it to rinse off the first bottle’s concoction. Drop the humidity and let dry naturally.
Using surface wipes, clean up any lingering residue that is accessible.
Helpful Tips
Macrame can become unworkable if exposed to either extremely hot or cold water. Use caution while working with powerful cleaning agents. If you must use one, make sure to give the macrame a good washing afterward.
Related Questions
How Much Weight Can a Macrame Chair Hold?
The typical weight limit for a macrame chair is 330 pounds, making it suitable for one adult. Most macrame chairs are just big enough for one person, but their weight capacity means that even small pets or kids can sit with you.
How Do You Hang a Macrame Chair?
Hanging macrame chairs are equally at home indoors from the ceiling or a beam as they are outdoors from a tree. However, most people choose using a hanging chair stand, and you may choose from a variety of designs to meet your requirements.
Conclusion
The problem of how to macrame a chair with complicated knots can be overcome by studying various types of weaving. Macramé, after all, is all about knots and weaving skills, thus the tighter your knots, the better your finished items will be.
