What it means
ماکرامه (mâkrâme) refers to the craft of creating decorative objects and textiles by tying cords, ropes, or threads into knots following specific patterns. The word reached Persian from French macramé, which in turn came from Italian macramé, borrowed from Turkish makrama meaning a towel or napkin, which itself traces back to Arabic miqrama, an embroidered veil. Despite this long chain of borrowing, the word entered everyday Persian use primarily through European contact with the craft in its modern form. ماکرامه is used as both a noun for the craft and for the finished product. A related term is بافت طناب (bâft-e tanâb), literally rope weaving, but ماکرامه is the standard term.
How to use it
- یه گلدون ماکرامه برای آشپزخونه بافتم. (Ye goldun-e mâkrâme barâye âshpazkhune bâftam.) “I wove a macrame plant hanger for the kitchen.”
- ماکرامه این روزا خیلی مد شده. (Mâkrâme in ruzâ kheyli mad shode.) “Macrame has become very trendy lately.”
- کلاس ماکرامه آنلاین گرفتم. (Kelâs-e mâkrâme onlâyn gereftam.) “I took an online macrame class.”
- دیوارکوب ماکرامه اتاقمو خیلی قشنگ کرده. (Divârkub-e mâkrâme otâqamo kheyli qashang karde.) “The macrame wall hanging has made my room really beautiful.”
Cultural note
While knotted textile traditions exist in many Iranian regional crafts, ماکرامه in its contemporary form is largely a hobby culture that became popular in Iran from the 1990s onward, influenced by global craft trends. It has seen a significant revival in the 2010s and 2020s as part of a broader interest in handmade home decor, with Persian-language tutorials widely available on YouTube and Instagram. Craft fairs and bazaars in Iranian cities frequently feature ماکرامه items such as wall hangings, plant hangers, and bags. The craft appeals to urban hobbyists as an accessible and meditative textile art that requires no special tools beyond cord and scissors.