Macrame Knots and Projects for Beginners

Remember those groovy plant hangers from the 70s? Macrame, the art of knotting cord into decorative and functional items, is back in a big way, and it’s surprisingly easy to get started. Forget complex patterns for now; mastering just a few basic knots opens up a world of creative possibilities. It’s a wonderfully tactile and mindful craft, perfect for slowing down and making something beautiful with your own hands. Whether you want to add some bohemian flair to your home or create unique handmade gifts, macrame is an accessible and rewarding hobby for anyone willing to learn a few simple techniques.

Getting Your Macrame Toolkit Ready

You don’t need a huge investment to start knotting. The beauty of macrame lies in its simplicity. Here’s a basic rundown of what you’ll need:

• Macrame Cord: This is your primary material. Cotton cord is the most popular choice for beginners. It comes in various thicknesses (measured in millimeters, mm) and constructions (like single twist, 3-ply, or braided). A 3mm or 4mm 3-ply cotton cord is a great starting point – it’s easy to handle and shows the knots clearly. You can also explore jute, hemp, or synthetic cords later on.
• Sharp Scissors: Essential for cutting your cord cleanly. Fabric scissors work best.
• Measuring Tape or Ruler: Accuracy is key in macrame, especially when cutting multiple cords to the same length. A long measuring tape is very helpful.
• A Place to Work: You need something to attach your project to while you knot. This could be:
  • A wooden dowel rod
  • A metal or wooden ring
  • A sturdy clipboard
  • A clothes rack with S-hooks
  • Even just taping your holding cord to a table edge can work for small projects!

That’s really it to begin! As you progress, you might add beads, different types of rings, or specific macrame boards, but the basics are delightfully minimal.

Understanding the Lingo

Before we dive into knots, let’s clarify a few terms you’ll encounter:

• Working Cord(s): These are the cords you actively use to tie the knots.
• Filler Cord(s) / Core Cord(s): These are the cords that knots are tied *around*. They often hang straight down in the center of a knot like the Square Knot.
• Holding Cord / Mounting Cord: The main cord (or object like a dowel/ring) onto which you initially attach your other cords using a mounting knot.
• Sennit: A series or column of identical knots tied repeatedly.

The Essential Macrame Knots for Beginners

Master these foundational knots, and you’ll be well on your way to creating amazing pieces. Practice them individually until they feel comfortable.

1. The Lark’s Head Knot (Mounting Knot)

This is how you’ll attach your cords to your dowel, ring, or holding cord. It’s usually the very first step.

How to tie it:

1. Fold your length of cord exactly in half, creating a loop at the top.
2. Bring this loop up in front of your dowel (or ring).
3. Pass the loop over the top of the dowel and down behind it.
4. Pull the two loose ends of the cord through the loop.
5. Tighten the knot by pulling down on the two cord ends. The loop should sit snugly around the dowel.

There’s also a Reverse Lark’s Head Knot, where you start with the loop behind the dowel instead of in front, creating a slightly different look with a horizontal bump on the front.

2. The Square Knot

This is arguably the most fundamental and widely used knot in macrame. It requires four cords: two outer working cords and two inner filler cords. (You achieve this by mounting two cords using Lark’s Head Knots next to each other).

How to tie it (using 4 cords):

1. First Half (Left Half Knot): Take the leftmost cord (cord 1) and cross it OVER the two middle filler cords (cords 2 & 3) and UNDER the rightmost cord (cord 4). It should look like the number ‘4’.
2. Now take the rightmost cord (cord 4). Pass it UNDER the two middle filler cords (cords 2 & 3) and UP through the loop created by cord 1 on the left side.
3. Pull both working cords (1 and 4) evenly to tighten the knot up towards your mounting point, keeping the filler cords straight. You’ve just made a Half Knot.
4. Second Half (Right Half Knot): Now, take the rightmost cord (which was originally cord 4, now on the right side) and cross it OVER the two middle filler cords and UNDER the leftmost cord (originally cord 1). It looks like a backward ‘4’.
5. Take the leftmost cord. Pass it UNDER the two middle filler cords and UP through the loop created on the right side.
6. Pull both working cords evenly to tighten. This completes the full Square Knot.

A proper Square Knot should lie flat and have a vertical bar on the left side from the first half-knot, and one on the right side from the second half-knot.

3. The Half Square Knot (Spiral Knot)

If you *only* repeat the first half of the Square Knot (the step making the ‘4’ shape with the left cord) over and over again, using the same left cord to initiate each time, the knots will naturally start to twist, creating a beautiful spiral effect. This is called a Spiral Knot or Half Square Knot Sennit.

4. The Double Half Hitch (DHH)

This knot creates lines and shapes. It can be worked horizontally, diagonally, or even vertically. It involves one cord acting as the filler cord (determining the direction of the line) and other cords acting as working cords, knotting *around* the filler cord.

How to tie a Horizontal Double Half Hitch:

1. Take one cord from the side you want the line to start (e.g., the leftmost cord) and hold it horizontally across all the other cords you want to include in the line. This is your filler cord. Hold it taut.
2. Take the next adjacent cord (the first working cord). Bring it UP and OVER the horizontal filler cord, looping it around towards the back.
3. Bring the end of the working cord back UP through the loop you just created. Pull it tight against the filler cord. That’s one half hitch.
4. Repeat exactly the same thing with the *same* working cord: bring it UP and OVER the filler cord again, loop it around, and bring the end up through the new loop. Pull tight. This completes the Double Half Hitch for that cord.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 with each subsequent cord, knotting them one by one onto the horizontal filler cord.

For diagonal lines, simply hold the filler cord diagonally instead of horizontally. For vertical lines, one cord hangs straight down as the filler, and you use another cord to tie DHH knots around it.

5. The Gathering Knot (Wrapping Knot)

This is used to neatly bundle a group of cords together, often seen at the bottom of plant hangers or the top/bottom of wall hangings.

How to tie it:

1. Cut a separate piece of cord (the wrapping cord), maybe 50-80cm long depending on how thick the bundle is and how long you want the wrap.
2. Make a ‘U’ shape with the wrapping cord, laying it against the bundle of cords you want to gather. The loop of the ‘U’ should point downwards, and the short tail of the ‘U’ should point upwards, slightly above where you want the wrap to start.
3. Hold the ‘U’ shape firmly against the bundle with one hand.
4. Take the long end of the wrapping cord and begin wrapping it tightly and neatly DOWNWARDS around the bundle AND the ‘U’ shape. Ensure each wrap sits snugly below the previous one.
5. Continue wrapping until the wrap is the desired length, making sure you don’t cover the bottom loop of the ‘U’.
6. Thread the end of the wrapping cord (that you’ve been wrapping with) through the loop at the bottom of the ‘U’.
7. Carefully pull the short tail sticking out at the TOP of the wrap. This will draw the bottom loop (and the threaded end) up underneath the wrapped section. Pull firmly until the loop is hidden about halfway inside the wrap.
8. Trim the excess ends of the wrapping cord (both the top tail and the bottom end you just pulled through) very close to the wrap. They should tuck neatly inside.

Measure Twice, Cut Once (and Add Extra)! When starting a project, cord length is crucial. Always follow pattern recommendations, but as a general rule, each cord often needs to be 4 to 8 times the final desired length of the project section it’s involved in. Different knots use different amounts of cord. It’s always better to cut your cords significantly longer than you think you’ll need – you can always trim excess, but you can’t easily add length!

Easy Macrame Projects for Absolute Beginners

Armed with these basic knots, you can tackle some fun and satisfying projects:

1. Simple Plant Hanger

The quintessential beginner project! You’ll typically use Lark’s Head Knots to attach cords to a ring, sections of Square Knots or Spiral Knots for the arms, and a Gathering Knot at the bottom to create the basket for the pot.

2. Mini Wall Hanging

Start small on a piece of driftwood or a small dowel. Mount several cords with Lark’s Head Knots. Practice making rows of Square Knots, maybe add a triangle shape using Diagonal Double Half Hitches, and perhaps finish with a fringe.

3. Macrame Keychain

These are quick and use minimal cord. Attach 2 or 4 cords to a keychain ring using Lark’s Head Knots. Then, create a sennit of Square Knots or Spiral Knots. Finish with a Gathering Knot or just simple Overhand Knots on the ends and trim.

4. Coasters

Often made starting from the center and working outwards, or by creating rows of knots. Square Knots and Double Half Hitches are common here. You might need a pattern for structure, but simple square coasters using just Square Knots are achievable.

5. Bookmark

Similar to a keychain but longer and thinner. Use just 2 or 4 cords attached to a single starting cord or a tiny ring/clip. Create a pattern with Square Knots, Half Square Knots, or alternating knots, and finish with a simple knot or small tassel.

Tips for Happy Knotting

• Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t expect your first knots to be flawless. Keep practicing on scrap cord until the movements feel natural.
• Consistent Tension: Try to pull your knots with similar tightness. Uneven tension can make your work look bumpy or uneven. This takes practice!
• Undoing is Okay: Macrame is forgiving. If a knot doesn’t look right, gently undo it and try again.
• Find Inspiration: Look at Pinterest, Instagram, or craft blogs for ideas and tutorials once you’re comfortable with the basics.
• Enjoy the Process: Macrame is meant to be relaxing. Put on some music, take your time, and enjoy the feeling of creating something strand by strand.

Macrame is a journey of knots and creativity. Starting with these fundamental knots and simple projects provides a solid base. Once you’ve mastered them, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can progress to more intricate designs. So grab some cord, find a comfy spot, and start knotting your way to beautiful handmade creations!