Oriental Flair Meets Heath

Macramé, a trend from the distant Orient, has now arrived in our homes. This knotting technique brings an oriental flair into our living spaces and can be wonderfully combined with local plants.

Mixing styles is totally in vogue! So why not blend oriental with rustic? This works beautifully with a macramé wreath featuring heather (Besenheide). The wreath is quick to make, and the materials are easy to get:

• A 40 cm metal ring
• 10 meters of cotton cord
• Two wooden beads (3 cm diameter)
• 2-3 pots of heather (Besenheide)
• Olive, eucalyptus, or laurel branches
• Floral wire
• Scissors

Before you add the heather, you'll need to prepare the ring. The cord for covering the metal ring should be six times as long as the ring's diameter. Fold this piece of cord in half to create a loop, which will later serve as the hanger for your finished wreath.

Now, for the knot: Make a loop with the cord in front of the ring, then pull the end of the cord through the loop from behind. Repeat this knot until the entire ring is covered. Finally, tie off the ends of the cord, then thread on the wooden beads and knot them securely.

To ensure the wreath fits your existing autumn decorations, it's time to add the plants. Cut the heather just above the roots and secure it to the wreath with floral wire. If you alternate this on both sides, the wreath will look beautifully symmetrical in the end.

To add more color, you can also attach olive, eucalyptus, or laurel branches between the heather sprigs. Baby's breath and grasses are also excellent choices for an autumn wreath.

If you want to give your macramé wreath that final touch, you can also incorporate autumn fruits. Anything that can't be securely tied can be carefully attached to the wreath with hot glue.