Crossword Genius

Staff holding stuff to be ropy work (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

macrame

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'be ropy work' is the definition.
(type of textile formed with knots)

'staff holding stuff' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'stuff' could be 'cram' (cramming is a kind of stuffing) and 'cram' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'mae' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for macrame that I've seen before include "Ornamental work of knotted cord" , "Decorative knotted work" , "Knotted-string work" , "ropy work" , "Knotted thread work" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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