Macrame: Creative Design in Knotting

by Dona Z. Meilach

In interconnected and mutually enfolding texts protagonists face off with some deformation of being: psychological, sexual, political, philosophical. Plots play out across the body, as if formed, deformed, reformed by culture. Drugs, violence, and sex inscribe the literal flesh of "figures" standing in for what formerly passed for character. In these fictions a woman is more likely to appear with a needle in her arm than a baby. Sometimes a woman cannot be distinguished from a man at all.

Cutting from subject to object, severing the eye/I from skin, these fictions bring America back to its body. In Liberty's Excess capitalism, and individualism lose their cover stories, releasing desire all over culture's deadening hum. Yuknavitch is both master and mistress of this dis-formed beauty, creating a landscape neither Waste Land nor Kansas nor Pomo Glitter.

243 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 1973 book that is both instructional and inspirational. It has many pictures of macrame used in serious art, as well as good discussion of how to do it. Definitely a keeper for my how-to collection.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 3 out of 5]

356 photographs 18 color plates

Even though there are a few pictures of how-to, this book is mostly a display of designs and finished products. Two reasons to buy this book are to enjoy the pictures as one would do with any art and to get inspiration to complete one's own projects. If Macramé is not dated in itself as a skill this book surely is. However, it is still fun to see what you may have missed.

Besides wall hangings, there is a poncho, overskirt, and body jewelry all made from Macramé.