Introduction to Macramé

Macramé — the art of knotting rope or cord into decorative patterns — has made a beautiful comeback in modern home décor. Whether you're completely new to fiber arts or just new to macramé specifically, this guide will walk you through creating your very first wall hanging from scratch.

What You'll Need

  • Cotton macramé cord (3mm thickness is ideal for beginners)
  • A wooden dowel or driftwood piece, approximately 30cm wide
  • Scissors (sharp fabric scissors work best)
  • A measuring tape
  • A comb or brush for fringing
  • Optional: a hanging hook or piece of string to mount your finished piece

Step 1: Cut Your Cord

For a wall hanging approximately 30cm wide and 50cm long, cut 16 lengths of cord, each measuring about 1.5 metres. A good rule of thumb is to cut each strand four times the desired finished length of your piece — knots use up more cord than you might expect!

Step 2: Attach Cords to the Dowel

Fold each cord in half and attach it to the dowel using a Lark's Head Knot:

  1. Fold your cord in half to create a loop.
  2. Place the loop behind the dowel.
  3. Pull the two loose ends through the loop from front to back.
  4. Pull tight. Repeat for all 16 cords — you'll have 32 working strands.

Step 3: Learn the Square Knot

The Square Knot is the foundation of most macramé designs. Here's how to tie one:

  1. Work in groups of four cords. The two middle cords are your filler cords; the outer two are your working cords.
  2. Take the left working cord over the two filler cords and under the right working cord.
  3. Take the right working cord under the filler cords and up through the loop created on the left.
  4. Pull snug — that's the first half of your square knot.
  5. Repeat in the opposite direction to complete the full square knot.

Step 4: Build Your Pattern

With your square knots mastered, create an alternating pattern:

  • Row 1: Tie square knots across all groups of four cords.
  • Row 2: Skip the first two cords, then tie square knots using the next groups of four (leaving the last two cords loose). This creates a diamond-like lattice effect.
  • Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you reach your desired length.

Step 5: Finish with a Fringe

Leave the remaining cord ends loose for a natural fringe. Trim the ends into a V-shape or straight line depending on your preference. Use a comb to gently brush out the ends for a soft, feathery fringe finish.

Tips for Success

  • Keep your knots consistently tensioned — not too tight, not too loose.
  • Work on a flat surface or hang the dowel at eye level for better control.
  • Don't rush! Macramé is meditative — enjoy the process.
  • Use a foam board and pins to hold your piece steady while you work.

Once you've completed your first piece, you'll have the confidence to explore more complex knots like the Spiral Knot, Half Hitch, and Berry Knot. Happy knotting!