DIY Tutorial - Macrame Terms: The Difference Between Rope, String and Cord! Macrame For Beginners

DIY Tutorial - Macrame Terms: The Difference Between Rope, String and Cord! Please see below for materials and written instructions.

Shop my book, Mixed Fiber Macrame, and Fiber Art Supplies (string, rope roving, ribbons, velvet and more) on my website or in my Etsy Shop:
Website: https://www.lotsofknots.ca
Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/LotsofKn...
Support me directly: https://ko-fi.com/lotsofknotscanada

Materials:
3mm Single Strand Twisted Cotton String (Colours: Natural, White and Taupe)
3mm 2 Ply Rope (Colour: Natural)
5mm Single Strand Twisted Cotton String (Colours: Natural and Dusty Pink)
5mm 3 Ply Rope (Colours: Natural, White and Gold)
5mm Braided Rope (Colour: Taupe)
9mm Single Strand Twisted Cotton String (Colour: Natural)

Hey guys! The terms string, rope and cord are used a lot in macrame and can mean one thing to one person and something different to the next. In this tutorial I will go over these terms and provide you with examples of the 3 most common types of cord that are used in macrame.

Cord: An overarching term that I use to refer to either string or rope.

String: Refers to single strand twisted string which is created by twisting individual strands of fibre together.

For this tutorial I am using cotton string. It comes in different sizes (3mm, 5mm and 9mm are seen here). A great feature of cotton string is that it can be brushed out to create tassels, feathers, etc.

Natural cotton string is a off white/cream colour but cotton string can also be purchased in a variety of different colours. Here is a comparison between natural and white string.

Rope: Is created by twisting individual strands of fibre together to make groups. Those groups are then twisted or braided together to create rope. Groups of 2 creates 2 Ply rope, and groups of 3 creates 3 Ply rope (both are used frequently in macrame). Groups can also be braided together to create braided rope.

This is 2 ply rope (3mm in size).

Here is the difference between string and rope. Rope can also be brushed out but the ends end up a bit wavy.

Metallic colours can also be added to rope and string.

This is 3 ply rope (5mm in size).

This is braided rope (5mm in size). I would not recommend brushing out braided rope as the ends become frizzy.

Thanks so much for watching!