Macrame is the beautiful art of hand-tied knots and loops that create a woven textile. While it may look intricate, getting started with macrame is actually pretty easy and once you learn a few basic knots, there are hundreds of projects you can make.
With macrame you can create usable items like handbags, plant hangers, or straps, or projects that are purely for decor like wall hangings, jewelry, or table runners. You can even make your own Christmas stocking!
Related: Simple Macrame Handbag Tutorial, Macrame Camera Strap Tutorial, Simple Macrame Table Runner, Macrame Christmas Stocking, Macrame Room Divider, Macrame Yarn Garland, Make Your Own Macrame Bracelet, Macrame Curtain, Macrame Plant Hanger
What is macrame?
Macrame is a crafting technique where you create a texture through making a series of knots and loops with either rope, yarn, string, or cords. The top of your project is secured onto either a mounting ring or tied to a stick or dowel and then the pattern is created through handmade knots.
Often the hobby of macrame is combined with other crafting mediums like weaving or knitting, but pure macrame is when the full piece is made of knots made by hand.
What’s the history of macrame?
Macrame may go back as far as the ancient Persians and Babylonians who used macrame-like knotting in artifacts in centuries BC.
The more modern macrame was brought to the west from more Arabic countries who mainly used the knots in the 13th century to tie ends in items like rugs, shawls, or other items that had fringe. By the 17th century, ladies in waiting for Queen Mary II used the technique as the pastime spread through England.
Sailors started to use the macrame knots to pass the time on ships and would even trade made items like belts or hammocks once they got to shore, which also helped the craft spread through Europe. Macrame remained popular through the 17th and 18th centuries until the Industrial Revolution brought about the sewing machine and then the technique fell out of favor until the 1960s and ’70s brought the craft back to popularity as part of the handmade movement.
The word “macrame” either comes from the Arabic word “migramah,” meaning ornamental fringe or it may also come from the Turkish word “makrama,” which refers to a towel or napkin.
Is macrame easy or hard to learn?
Good news! While it may look complicated, macrame is actually very easy to learn and it’s very similar to making friendship bracelets if you remember doing those as a kid.
There are a few basic knots that we will teach you, and once you get those down you’ll be able to make almost any macrame project you want!
How long does it take to complete a macrame project?
The time needed to complete a macrame project will vary greatly depending on your level of skill (your first macrame project will take more time and experts will knot much faster), material, size, and complexity of your project.
While smaller/simpler projects can definitely be completed in a short afternoon, you may need several hours spread over a few days for larger wall hangings.
What kind of cord do you use for macrame?
There are several types of macrame cord that you can use for your macrame project.
- Rope: The twisted strands of cotton cord rope give macrame projects durability and you’ll get a defined thick knot that is unlikely to unravel. The most common kinds are twisted three-ply and braided six-ply ropes for macrame and rope comes in a large variety of thickness for larger projects as well.
- String: A string is a much finer twisted strand compared to rope so you get a smaller and softer look than with rope. Your knots will also be much smaller so it can be better for finer, more delicate projects.
- Yarn: While yarn is often used for knitting, you can also use it for macrame. Wool, acrylic, and hemp are common bases for yarn and this option provides the biggest color range.
- Waxed cord: A waxed cord is smaller in diameter than a rope and it is coated in beeswax to make the cord more waterproof. The wax also strengthens the cord so it makes for strong knots as well.
How much macrame cord do you need for a project?
When measuring out how much cord you need for your macrame project, you’ll want to determine the approximate length of your finished project and cut your cords 4 times that length.
If the cord needs to be folded in half for the project, then you want to cut the cord 8 times the finished length.
What supplies do you need for macrame?
To make your macrame project, you’ll want the following items:
- Macrame cord
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- A stick/rod or a mounting ring (a metal hoop) to hang your project on
- Wooden beads or other beads for decoration (optional)
TIP: Before you cut your cord when working with yarn or rope, use masking tape and wrap it around the yarn or rope. This will keep the end of the cord from unraveling while you work.
5 Basic Macrame Knots
While there are more than five knots you can use in macrame, if you practice these five simple knots, there are so many projects you’ll be able to tackle right away.
1. Lark’s Head (aka Cow Hitch Knot)
A Lark’s Head knot is so easy! Fold your string in half and place the halfway loop behind your hanging rod.
Slip your two string tails through the top loop and pull.
2. Square Knot
Tie two Lark’s Heads knots side by side on your rod. This knot uses only the strands on the outer left and right edges and the middle two strands stay put.
Take the strand all the way on the left and cross it over the middle two strands but then behind the strand all the way on the right. It will look like a number “4.”
Next, take the right strand, keeping it over the strand that came from the left, and go behind the middle two strands coming out where the hole in the “4” was created in the previous step. Pull that knot tight to the top.
Now you’ll repeat the process backwards by taking the right strand and creating a backwards “4” that goes over the middle two strands and under the strand on the left.
Take the strand on the left, keeping it over the strand that just came from the right, go behind the middle strands and come out again where the hole in the backwards “4” was created.
Pull strands tight and you’ll see a square knot!
3. Spiral Knot
The spiral knot is basically the same as the square knot except that you keep making your “4” shape in one direction so it creates a spiral shape.
Tie two Lark’s Heads knots side by side on your rod and continue to make your first knot like your would with a square knot.
Rather than reverse the direction to complete a square knot, keep making the same knot over and over, pulling each knot tight to the top.
As you make more knots, you’ll see the spiral pattern start to emerge.
4. Berry Knot
Start by making a square knot but when you tie your knot at the top, leave a little room above the knot so you can turn your tails through that hole later.
Make two more square knots so you have three square knots in a row.
Take the tails of your cords and push them all through the small hole in the middle you left above your first square knot.
Pull the cords all the way through and you’ll see that your square knots have created a ball-like berry shape.
5. Double Half-Hitch Knot (DHH)
This knot is often used to create lines in your work and you’ll want to start with at least four Lark’s Head knots side by side. The outermost left cord will be your working cord and the next three cords in line will be your holding cords.
Use your left cord to loop around the first holding cord so that the loop is facing down and the tie of the loop is facing up.
Tighten the loop to the top.
Repeat the action so you have two loops tied at the top of the cord.
Take your working cord and start to tie loops on the second holding cord in line and tie two loops at the top of that cord.
Repeat again tying two loops with your working cord onto the third holding cord and then let your working cord hang (it should now be the fourth cord in near the middle of your project).
Now you just repeat the process backwards on the other side by using the outermost cord on your right side as your working cord and tying two loops on each of the next three hanging cords.
Now you should have both your working cords in the middle of your work.
Now you’ll tie one last Double Half-Hitch Knot by using your left working cord to tie a loop around what was your right working cord.
Avoid these common macrame mistakes:
- Cutting cord too short: Rather than just eyeballing your cord, make sure you are measuring that you have at least four times the full length of your finished project to ensure you won’t run out! There’s nothing worse than not being done with your piece and suddenly you run out of cord.
- Pulling knots too tight: It’s a very similar thing with friendship bracelets, that if you are pulling your knots too tight, then your knots will look deformed and your project will start to twist and curl. Pull your knots just snug enough without over tightening and try to keep all the knots the tied at the same tightness. As you start your projects, you’ll know if your knots are too tight if your project curls and you’ll want to start over not pulling your knots so hard.
- Not practicing/giving up: Like all new skills, it takes time to feel more confident and take on harder and bigger projects, so keep practicing and don’t give up as you get the hang of it!
