Got a hank of cotton cord and a free evening? That’s honestly all it takes to start, and these 25 macrame crafts show just how far a few simple knots can go. Macrame is the art of tying cord into patterns, and almost every project here leans on the same two basics: the lark’s head knot to attach your cord and the square knot to build the design. Learn those and you can make a mini plant hanger in under an hour, then work your way up to a dip dyed wall hanging, a folding screen or a full hanging chair. There are quick wearable projects too, like a rose bracelet, a hex nut bracelet and owl keychains that make perfect little gifts. Whether you’re brand new to knotting or ready for something big, there’s a project here for every skill level. Grab your cord and let’s get knotting!
1. Aluminum Chair Makeover
Got a vintage aluminum lawn chair with tired, brittle webbing? Cut off the old straps, unscrew the posts and wrap the frame in paracord and macrame cord instead. Tie a double knot at the front edge of the seat, then wrap each row under the center bar and over the top of the frame. Switching colors is as easy as knotting on a new strand. Once the first direction is done, weave the cord over and under in groups to build a bold triangle pattern. Plan on 150 to 200 feet of cord.
Get the full tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
2. Hanging Macrame Fish Bowl
A hanging macrame fish bowl turns a plain half gallon glass bowl into a floating centerpiece. Cut eight 5 foot pieces of nylon cord, knot them together at one end and split them into four pairs. Tie each pair with a double knot 2 inches below the top, then join neighboring cords in two more rows to form a net. Set the bowl on the net, gather the cords 10 to 12 inches above the rim and knot them so the bowl lifts out for cleaning. A ceiling hook finishes it.
Get the full tutorial at Love Grows Wild.
3. DIY Macrame Cushion
A DIY macrame cushion puts a bright knotted net over a plain pillow cover. Hang wool lengths from a wooden stick taped to the table, then tie rows of knots until the net is roughly the size of the pillow. Slide out the stick, tie a short piece of wool at each corner and cut fabric to match. Hot glue the net’s edges to the fabric front, trim the extra wool, then sew the front and back wrong sides together, turn it out and add pom poms to every corner.
Get the full tutorial at Ohoh deco.
4. DIY Tassel and Macrame Keychains
DIY tassel and macrame keychains use 3/16 inch cotton piping cord, a 1 inch key ring and a few beads. Loop two cords through the ring with lark’s head knots, then tie about five square knots, add a bead and finish with a tassel. Swap to half square knots and the band twists into a spiral. A striped version uses vertical clove hitches in a few yarn colors. Wrap each tassel neck with embroidery floss, then tape the fringe flat and cut through the tape for a perfectly straight edge.
Get the full tutorial at Hallmark Ideas & Inspiration.
5. Friendship Bracelet Watch
A friendship bracelet watch swaps the band for a chevron braid in your favorite colors. Cut ten 48 inch strands of craft floss for each side, fold each one and latch it onto the watch face post with a lark’s head knot so the strap starts neat. Braid the chevron pattern to length, then rub glue across the spot where it will be cut. Snip through the glued band, clamp on a crimp end and add a jump ring and clasp. Make it slightly snug, since the braid stretches.
Get the full tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
6. Macrame Dreamcatcher Wall Hanging
This macrame dreamcatcher wall hanging is built on three metal rings, 40mm, 175mm and 420mm, and plenty of twine. Lark’s head knot twine onto the smallest ring, then spiral out with half knot twists until it’s time to add the middle ring. More twine is lark’s headed all the way around, and then the largest ring joins in for the long fringe and bigger knot work. It’s an ambitious statement piece, so set aside a few evenings, and hang it above a sofa or a reading chair.
Get the full tutorial at Geneva Vanderzeil.
7. DIY Hanging Macrame Chair
A DIY hanging macrame chair starts with a round chair frame, legs cut off and spray painted white, and a lot of clothesline. Plan on about 120 pieces cut 10 feet long, and tape each spot before cutting so the rope doesn’t unravel. Begin with square knots around the hoop, then alternating square knots all the way around. A second, smaller hoop shapes the seat, and a long fringe finishes the bottom. Braided rope hangs it from the ceiling. Big, yes, but the knots never change.
Get the full tutorial at Classy Clutter.
8. DIY Mini Macrame Hangers
DIY mini macrame hangers shrink the classic rope plant holder down to air plant size. All you need is a small metal ring, bright cord and a tiny pot or air plant. Knot the cords to the ring, split them into pairs and tie a couple of rows to form a little basket. They’re quick enough to make a whole set in one sitting. Color code them for kitchen herbs, give one as a desk gift or hang a row of them in a sunny window.
Get the full tutorial at iSeeiDoiMake.
9. DIY Macrame Herb Hanger
This DIY macrame herb hanger stacks three 4 inch terracotta pots in one tiered hanger for the kitchen. Brush the pots with gesso, wipe some off the rims for an aged look and stencil the herb names. Cut three 4 meter strands of bulky yarn, center them on a ring and tie them off. Measure 15 inches down, knot the pairs, then knot neighboring pairs 4 inches lower to form a basket. Repeat twice, 6 inches apart. A sandwich bag in each pot catches drips.
Get the full tutorial at Sow & Dipity.
10. Easy Macrame Bracelet
This easy macrame bracelet is the perfect first macrame project, because it uses just one knot. Cut two cords about 4.9 feet each, fold them in half, tie the ends together and tape them to the table. Then tie square knots over and over, alternating the working thread from side to side so the pink and purple build into little roses. Keep going until the band wraps your wrist, then braid and knot the tails to close it. The full video tutorial shows every knot!
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
11. Easy Macrame Folding Screen
This easy macrame folding screen pairs three inexpensive wooden side units from the furniture store with six small hinges, so there’s no real woodworking involved. Drill tiny pilot holes, screw on the hinges and the frame is done. Each panel takes 20 cotton ropes, 25 feet long, attached with lark’s head knots. From there the whole diamond design uses only the square knot and a slight variation of it. Wrap the rope ends in masking tape to stop fraying while you work. It’s a perfect beginner statement piece.
Get the full tutorial at My French Twist.
12. Macrame Lamp
A macrame lamp cord swaps a skinny hanging wire for a thick knotted rope that becomes part of the decor. The project wraps a pendant cord in a chunky macrame stitch, then swags it across the ceiling and lets the bare bulb hang low. Fifteen feet of knotting takes about two to three hours and more arm strength than you’d expect, so pace yourself. Leave the bulb bare for an industrial feel or add a shade later. It pairs beautifully with hanging plants.
Get the full tutorial at rennes.
13. Dip Dyed Macrame Wall Hanging
This dip dyed macrame wall hanging uses only two knots, so it’s a great first wall hanging. Cut 18 pieces of 3mm cotton cord, each about 10 feet long, and attach them to a 12 inch wooden dowel with lark’s head knots. Work rows of square knots into a simple pattern, then trim the fringe. For the color, mix liquid fabric dye with hot water, salt and a squirt of dish soap and dip the bottom of the hanging. A video walks through the square knot.
Get the full tutorial at Persia Lou.
14. DIY Macrame Wall Display
This macrame wall display mixes classic knots with modern pops of neon paint and wooden beads. Hang a dowel on removable hooks, then cut the rope into fourteen 4 yard pieces plus two 5 yard pieces for the ends. Attach every cord with lark’s head knots, tie a row of double half hitches and work diagonal lines of knots across the piece, adding beads as you go. A second dowel adds structure partway down. Finish by painting the dowel tips and fringe ends in bright neon.
Get the full tutorial at Geneva Vanderzeil.
15. Macrame Feather
Macrame feathers are one of the best first projects for beginners, since they use just one knot and a few basic supplies: macrame cord, fabric scissors, a tape measure, tape and a comb or wire pet brush. Knot short cords along a center spine, trim the outline into a leaf shape and brush the fringe out until it’s soft and fluffy. The cord weight sets the spine, so 2mm cord makes a slim center and a thicker cord a fuller one. They’re a great way to use up leftover cord.
Get the full tutorial at One Little Project.
16. Macrame Plant Hanger
This macrame plant hanger teaches three simple knots and needs just a 2 inch wooden ring and 4mm natural cord. Cut eight 10 foot cords and pull them halfway through the ring so 16 ends hang down. A separate 45 inch cord ties a wrapping knot under the ring. Split the cords into four bundles of four, tie half square knots for the twisted top, then square knots and alternating rows to shape the basket. Finish with another wrapping knot and a tassel.
Get the full tutorial at One Little Project.
17. Friendship Bracelet Ring
A friendship bracelet ring takes the knotted chevron bracelet everyone made at camp and shrinks it down to fit a finger. Knot embroidery thread in your favorite pattern until the piece is a little longer than the circumference of your finger, or simply use a bracelet you already have. Cut it to the exact size at both ends so the edges are straight, then hand sew the two ends together into a circle. A dab of fabric glue makes the seam extra secure.
Get the full tutorial at The Cheese Thief.
18. Macrame Curtain
A macrame curtain is a lovely fix for a closet without a door, hiding the clutter while still adding texture. It’s built from thin rope and one repeated knot. Tie four strands together, pass the outer right strand over the middle two, then bring the left strand under it, behind the middle and over on the other side. Reverse the moves and pull tight. Make a row of these knots, then regroup neighboring strands to start the next row so the pattern turns into a net.
Get the full tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
19. Braided Hex-nut Bracelet
This hex nut bracelet is a macrame square knot project that costs almost nothing, just string and a handful of brass hex nuts from the hardware store. Knot four 60cm cords together, then tie eight square knots to start. Thread a hex nut onto the two middle cords and tie one square knot, and keep alternating until nine nuts sit in a row. Finish with eight more square knots. One end has a loop and the other has tails, so it ties on like a friendship bracelet.
Get the full tutorial at Minieco.
20. Macrame Sandals DIY
Macrame sandals give a plain pair of rubber flip flops a whole new look. Remove or cover the old straps, then knot chunky fabric yarn (t-shirt yarn) into a lattice that crosses the top of the foot and wraps up toward the ankle. A needle and thread tack the yarn in place along the sole, and snap fasteners close the ankle strap. The materials list is short: flip flops, fabric yarn, scissors, a needle and thread and snaps. It’s a fun summer refresh.
Get the full tutorial at My White Idea DIY.
21. Macrame Lawn Chair
A macrame lawn chair turns a vintage aluminum frame into the most colorful seat on the patio. Strip off the old webbing, then weave new cord onto the frame using the looping method that’s key to every macrame chair. A short video shows that loop, and step photos walk through the pattern. Supplies are easy to find online: cord in bold colors, a giant plastic crochet hook and even replacement aluminum frames. Choose a geometric pattern and two contrasting colors for the most graphic look.
Get the full tutorial at Deuce Cities Henhouse.
22. DIY Roped Macrame Necklace
A DIY roped macrame necklace pairs a length of chain with six strands of colored cording, about 1.5 meters each. Cut the chain to your finished necklace length with pliers, then lay the cords in the color order you want from top to bottom. Fold the chain and knot the cords over it, working them into a tight roped pendant with a fringe at the bottom. A jump ring and a parrot hook clasp finish it. Neutrals with one pop of neon look especially fresh.
Get the full tutorial at Geneva Vanderzeil.
23. Micro Macrame Owl Key Chain
A micro macrame owl key chain is a sweet project for practicing small, detailed knots. Thin colorful cord, a split key ring and a couple of beads for the eyes are all it takes. The step by step video tutorial walks through the easy pattern from the head and ears down to the wings and the fringed tail, and it’s designed so beginners can follow along. It looks complicated, but each section repeats the same few knots. Clip it on keys or a bag.
Get the full tutorial at MyCrafts.com.
24. DIY Netted Stone Friendship Bracelets
DIY netted stone friendship bracelets catch a smooth colored stone in a small knotted net. Clip waxed cotton cord to a clipboard: two 1 meter strands and one 2 meter strand, folded together. Knot a loop at the middle for the button, then wrap the long cord around the others to halfway. Split the cords into pairs and knot a net in rows until the stone fits snugly. Wrap the other side to match, tie off, add the button and trim the ends.
Get the full tutorial at Curly Made.
25. Cute Macrame Owl
A cute macrame owl is a classic seventies design that works as a keychain, a bag charm or even a necklace. This one is knotted in soft sage cord with two wooden beads for eyes and a tiny twig for a perch, and it finishes with a fluffy tassel tail. The video tutorial shows every step, and the pattern sticks to beginner knots like the square knot and half hitch. Make a whole family of owls in different cord colors.
Get the full tutorial at Macrame School.
