Macrame Rope & String

Sometimes the smallest things can confuse us. Why does this stuff that looks so similar have so many different names? Rope, String, Yarn, Cord, just to name a few.

We carry both rope and string at MangoAndMore and you may want to know how they differ because their material qualities lend them distinctly different characters.

 String:

A string is a twisted bundle of fibers (112 small threads) into 1 single strand. The string is softer and less firm then rope. but you can bet it is good for macramé! String tends to be more subtle than rope because it is unplied and has a lower profile knot.

Our cotton string comes in two different diameters, 5mm and our super chunky 9mm.

Macrame Rope:

Rope is similar to string but rope is plied or twisted. Meaning that each rope is composed of 2 or 3 strands of rope that are twisted around eachother to form the rope. That is the difference! Both are twisted but only one is plied. Rope has a different texture and tends to be a firmer material, with a girthier knot.

Our cotton rope comes in 3mm and 5mm in a large array of appealing colors.

Cord:

This is a term you will come across frequently when reading a macramé pattern. Cord is a word we use interchangeably for both rope, string and yarn. It’s a catchall! If you are knotting you can think of all your working lengths as cords. 

Now that you know the difference between these dynamic materials you should be able to communicate more fluently in the language of your craft. You may also find you can determine which fiber format is suitable for your project and shop for materials more easily. With any luck this clarity will encourage you to explore rope, string and yarn and all their many applications with confidence.