At 16 pages, this little book is packed with information. The front cover starts out by describing the supplies - hemp and beads - you will need for the 25 projects listed. Then a few basics are explained including some knot directions, supplies needed, and how to start a projects. The back cover also provides information on using jump rings and shows some clasp variations.
The rest of the book is dedicated to a variety of macramé jewelry projects and more knot instructions. I found the knot instructions to be pretty good. They aren’t fabulous, if you have previous macramé experience, you should be able to follow the knot instructions with no problem. If you are a novice, it might take a little more time, but between the written instructions and the graphics, I believe you would be successful too.
Each project includes a list of supplies and materials, a step by step procedure to follow, and a nice photograph of the finished piece. Though no specifics are given as to where each bead and pendant used can be found, most are pretty basic (glass fish beads, fimo beads, pony beads, wooden beads, and some silver pendants), so if you can’t locate the exact bead or charm, you could probably find something very close to it. Marty shows how to combine the knots and beads using natural colored hemp in a variety of project variations.
When Marty Hite wrote this book, she was in high school. I think I’d give her an A for Hemp Jewelry. Though most of us who know how to macramé can create our own designs, it’s nice to have someone else do some of the work involved. For example, just trying to figure out how much cord to start out with can be a pain. So an experienced macramer could use her design ideas and then add your own twist by using different beads or cord. If you want to learn how to macramé, this inexpensive book can help get you started.
