While the art of knot tying began as a necessity in ancient history, today’s knots have taken on new meanings and its centrepiece is macramé, APRIL MARCH reports.

IF you’re a mere mortal like me, tying knots is anything but thrilling. Trying to secure a load on a trailer; fixing kids’ laces; battling to braid hair or fastening a bow tie: dull stuff like that requires attention, accuracy and fine motor skills. 

And creativity? Never have I perceived knots to be therapeutic, calming or creative.

While the art of knot tying began as a necessity in ancient history, today’s knots have taken on new meanings. There’s a DIY movement and its centrepiece – macramé. 

Re-emerging after having a moment in the ’70s, today’s macramé jumps on the back of the minimalist and mindfulness movement. It’s inescapable on Instagram and successful businesses are being built on the craft.

The resurgence of macramé may make some people want to fashion themselves a noose, but the craft world, high on nostalgia, is busy re-inventing kooky, hand-knotted owls and groovy plant hangers once found in hippie pads.

Annette Boyd, 65, is a Canberra artist, maker and macramé teacher. Determined to keep traditional crafts from the extinct category, Boyd took the knot – and the art of tying it – and made it into a language of her own. At her macramé workshops, she teaches her students about the tactile satisfaction of tying knots. 

 “It’s all about slowing down,” she said.

“We are way too busy these days.

“The simple act of knot tying calms you, it grounds you, it makes you forget everything.

“It’s an old yet powerful craft.”

In today’s increasingly virtual world, Boyd says there’s something alluring about making things by hand, using old techniques.

“I was 16 when I learnt macramé, the year was 1972 and I was living in Israel… I fell in love with it and I’ve been making it ever since,” she said.

“I never go anywhere without my ball of string, I craft everywhere and at every opportunity.

“Macramé has had a huge revival, especially in Canberra.

“There are four or five young women I’ve taught how to macramé who have gone on to run successful businesses.”

For Boyd, art is more than business, it’s therapy.

“Tying knots is calming, it slows the heart and metabolism down and relieves stress,” she said.

“It’s a spatial skill and can help people with illnesses like Parkinson’s, as it’s good for dexterity and the nervous system.

“And I always tell my young mums who attend my workshops that here you can create something that no one can eat,” she chuckles.

“It’s a pleasure and a privilege to pass down my knowledge and skills.”

As new technologies streamline our lives, some traditional crafts are dropping by the wayside. As the number of people who use the old-school method of knotting dwindles, there are those who are working to ensure these dying skills don’t unravel.

Expert knot tyer Neville Tomkins began his scouting career more than a quarter of a century ago. Tomkins currently serves as Chief Commissioner of Scouts Australia (NSW Branch) after a long stint as Chief Commissioner of the ACT Branch. 

“Scouts gave me the leadership skills to survive. There is no doubt that for me, scouting helped me develop a successful 36-year career in the public service – 22 of those years were spent in the senior executive.”

Scouting has been good to Tomkins and Tomkins has been good for scouting. He’s served with generations of young people, teaching them skills necessary for life.

“And it all starts with learning to tie a humble knot,” he said.

“Some would regard knot tying as an outdated skill yet it amazes me how often my children use the knots and knowledge they learnt at scouts in their adult lives.

“Scouting teaches young people the skills they need to succeed in life and build resilience for life’s challenges.”

In the internet age where people can share their skills at the touch of a button, Tomkins hopes the art of knot tying and other traditional crafts stand the test of time.

As they say, follow the rope and you may end up somewhere unexpected.