KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — Back in the 1970s, macrame was everywhere; from handbags to home decor items. Today with more people turning to crafting, the art of knotting is back.

Macrame is an art that requires just your hands (no tools and sewing!) to tie knots to form patterns. There are several types of knots but personally, macrame maker Sugee Wee prefers to stick to square knots for her work under the Pow Pow Jellyfish brand.

Unlike in the 1970s, when jute strings and nylon cords were used, macrame nowadays is fashioned from cotton cords which are much easier to source. “The difference is in the material I think. As cotton is a natural fibre, it’s definitely something sustainable you can use for a long time. Moreover it’s easier to wash.”

Simple plant hangers found at ilaika in Petaling Jaya (left). Pom Pom series! Kittens not included (right).
Simple plant hangers found at ilaika in Petaling Jaya (left). Pom Pom series! Kittens not included (right).

Wee also teaches workshops in Klang Valley, here she is showing how to do a simple square knot.
Wee also teaches workshops in Klang Valley, here she is showing how to do a simple square knot.

The fashion design graduate decided to pursue macrame full-time after her studies around Christmas 2015. “I started making plant hangers first because I had six cats at that time and lots of plants.

“The cats were quite little at the time and kept disturbing the plants. I had to think of a way to separate the cats and the plants so I made plant hangers out of macrame,” she explained.

Her boyfriend who is also her business partner helps her out with the graphic design and photography for her brand. He is also the one who encouraged her to pursue macrame as a full-time job.

Macrame Wedding Backdrop decoration (on white cage) is one of the customised orders.
Macrame Wedding Backdrop decoration (on white cage) is one of the customised orders.

She enjoys doing macrame, embroidery, weaving and crocheting, learning from books bought from second hand bookstores and tutorials online. “I’m like a crazy cat lady, doing crochet in my rocking chair,” she joked.

Sugee picked up the techniques for macrame via trial and error. “At first there were a few tries that included three failed ones until I finally got to know the hang of how the knots work, the tension and all that.”

Adding colours to macrame gives it a vibrant look (left). A customer requested Wee to make a macrame bag with rattan handles (right).
Adding colours to macrame gives it a vibrant look (left). A customer requested Wee to make a macrame bag with rattan handles (right).

Under her Pow Pow Jellyfish brand, Sugee makes plant hangers and wall hangings for sale. “Pot hangers are the most popular designs. People want something new to style their indoor plants instead of putting them on the table, so you can hang it up as it’s an urban way,” said Sugee.

She also takes bespoke orders such as handbags and wedding backdrops. “A lot of people are doing large ones for their weddings whether it’s an outdoor garden or indoor one. The backdrop is also for rent as well,” said Sugee.

It takes Sugee four days to make a wedding backdrop and according to her, it’s much easier since she uses a thicker yarn that is easier to knot.

Sugee Wee expresses herself with embroidery under the Embroidery: Living with chronic bitch face series (left). Wee also dabbles in weaving with this lovely piece in rainbow hues (right).
Sugee Wee expresses herself with embroidery under the Embroidery: Living with chronic bitch face series (left). Wee also dabbles in weaving with this lovely piece in rainbow hues (right).

Nowadays, there is also a hybrid method known as macraweave that combines the techniques of weaving and macrame. This creates two distinct sets of yarn and threads that interlace each other to create a unique design for wall hangings.

As Sugee explains, “This is made entirely with square knots. After you have mastered square knots, you can basically make everything with just plain square knots. Weaving is actually using a needle which you just go up and down, and then come back again.”

For her upcoming work, she is also experimenting with various coloured yarn. She also elaborates that it is hard to source for the materials locally hence she imports them from China. Usually when she travels, she’ll search for yarn.

Tyler plant hanger and chandelier could be used for fresh blooms (left). Macrame Hand Bouquet wrap is perfect for special occasions (right).
Tyler plant hanger and chandelier could be used for fresh blooms (left). Macrame Hand Bouquet wrap is perfect for special occasions (right).

For those eager to learn the craft, Sugee also conducts workshops. Depending on their complexity, the workshops can take up to two to five hours. Usually, she starts off with square knots and teaching beginners how to make a plant hangers. She also teaches macraweave. For her workshops, all the tools are provided for participants, making it perfect for beginners.

In case you’re wondering how the unusual name Pow Pow Jellyfish came about, it’s all because Sugee loved drawing jellyfish as a student in secondary school.

The young and talented founder of Pow Pow Jellyfish also did two yarn bombs for concept store ilaika: a form of graffiti on the railing and a tree. Look out for them the next time you drop by ilaika!

You can find Pow Pow Jellyfish’s products at:

Ilaika
No. 17, Jalan 20/13
Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya

Lifestyle Store by Fiska
20, Ground Floor
Lido Plaza
Jalan Nosoob Hungab
Kota Kinabalu
Sabah

Sixth Sense
157, Lebuh Pantai
George Town, Penang

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powpowjellyfish/
Email: [email protected]