Micro Macrame Lunula: Inspired by Ancient Gold
Sometimes a new micro macrame design starts with a very unexpected source of inspiration.
For this one, it was a museum visit.
When I visited the “Das erste Gold” exhibition at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, I noticed a small ancient gold object that immediately caught my eye. It was a Bronze Age Lockenring from Svištov, Bulgaria.
I was drawn to its simple, open shape and the way the ends curved towards each other.
I wasn't thinking about recreating the original piece. I simply liked the shape and started wondering what it might look like translated into micro macrame.
That was the starting point for my Lunula design.
The name Lunula refers to its crescent-like shape — a form often associated with the moon.
From Ancient Gold to Micro Macrame
My Lunula isn't a reconstruction of the ancient Lockenring. It's my own interpretation of the shape, made with fine thread and knots instead of metal.
The exact purpose of the original piece I saw isn't known. Lockenringe are sometimes interpreted as hair ornaments, depending on the archaeological context. I simply imagined this curved form as a piece of jewelry and decided to turn it into a pair of earrings.
Once I started working on the shape, I ended up creating two versions.
🎨 Two Designs, Two Energies
🌙 The Ornate Lunula: combines micro macrame with beads.
🌙 The Minimalist Lunula: made entirely from thread. Using only golden-toned thread, this version stays closer to the simple character of the original design.
Although the two versions are based on the same idea, they have quite a different feel.
And that's something I often enjoy when designing: changing just one element can completely change the character of a piece.
🔗 Materials & Techniques
Both versions are made with fine S-Lon thread 0.6 mm, which allows me to create the curved shape with precise, delicate knotwork.
For the beaded version, the beads add another layer of colour and texture. The thread-only version relies entirely on the knotwork and the shape of the design.
Create Your Own Lunula
If you'd like to try making your own micro macrame Lunula, check out my step-by-step tutorial on YouTube.
The design is symmetrical, so keeping track of the sequence and repeating the same steps on both sides is important for achieving an even result.
I’ve also prepared a PDF transcript to use as a written reference while working. It can be especially helpful for keeping track of the knot sequence and following the same steps on both sides.
📄 You can find the PDF transcript on Creative Fabrica and Design Bundles.
What started with a small ancient gold object in a museum ended up becoming something completely different — a pair of micro macrame earrings made from thread.
And sometimes, that's all it takes to start a new design.
This article is part of the Micro Macrame Learning Hub—a curated collection of tutorials organized by techniques, materials, Tree of Life projects, and skill level.
