I Made a Beautiful Macrame Wall Hanging in Under an Hour
The Square Knot is All You Need
I was inspired by the beautiful, bohemian macrame wall hangings I saw online, but I assumed they were incredibly complex. I learned that the vast majority of these pieces are made with just one, simple, foundational knot: the square knot. I took a piece of driftwood, attached my cords, and spent an hour just practicing this one, simple knot, arranging it in different patterns. The result was a stunning, intricate-looking wall hanging that looked like it had taken days to make. The barrier to entry was a single, easy knot.
The 3 Basic Macrame Knots That Let You Make Almost Anything
The Holy Trinity of Knots
I wanted to get into macrame, and I learned that with just three simple knots, you can create almost any project you can imagine. The “Lark’s Head” knot is how you attach your cords to your dowel or ring. The “Square Knot” is the workhorse, used to create the main body of most patterns. And the “Half Hitch” knot is used to create beautiful, spiraling lines and decorative elements. By mastering just these three, simple knots, I had unlocked the entire world of macrame design.
How to Make a Macrame Plant Hanger for Under $5
The Hardware Store is Your Friend
I wanted a macrame plant hanger, but the ones in the store were so expensive. I went to the hardware store and bought a roll of simple, cotton clothesline rope for a few dollars and a small wooden ring. I followed a simple online tutorial that used only a few basic square knots. In about 30 minutes, I had created a sturdy, beautiful, and functional plant hanger that looked just as good as the boutique versions, and it had cost me almost nothing.
The Secret to Getting Your Knots Tight and Even
The Four-Chord Pull
My first macrame knots were loose and uneven. The secret to a tight, professional-looking knot is in how you pull it tight. A square knot is made of four cords. After you make the knot, you don’t just pull the two working cords. You have to pull all four cords—the two working cords and the two filler cords—at the same time. This simple, four-cord pull cinches the knot down perfectly and ensures that your work is tight, even, and has a beautiful, consistent tension.
I Used a Stick From My Yard to Create a Stunning Piece
The Beauty of the Natural Dowel
I wanted to make a macrame wall hanging with a rustic, natural look. Instead of using a perfectly straight, store-bought wooden dowel, I went for a walk and found a beautiful, weathered piece of driftwood on the beach (or a fallen branch in the woods). I cleaned it up and used it as the foundation for my piece. The natural curves and textures of the found wood gave the finished wall hanging an organic, one-of-a-kind beauty that a sterile, store-bought dowel never could.
Stop Buying Macrame Cord: This Hardware Store Twine Works Better
The Cotton Butcher’s Twine Secret
Specialty “macrame cord” from the craft store can be very expensive. I discovered a perfect and much cheaper alternative in the hardware store (or the kitchen aisle): cotton butcher’s twine. It’s strong, it’s 100% cotton (which means it’s soft and easy on the hands), and it has a beautiful, natural, off-white color. And for a more rustic look, simple jute twine is another great, affordable option. These humble, utilitarian twines are perfect for creating beautiful macrame.
How to Add Beads and Tassels to Your Macrame
The Finishing Touches
My macrame piece was nice, but it was missing something. The secret to taking your macrame to the next level is in the embellishments. I learned how to slide large-hole wooden beads onto my filler cords to add a pop of texture and color. I also learned how to make a big, fluffy, satisfying tassel for the bottom of the piece by just wrapping my yarn around a piece of cardboard. These simple, final touches are what turn a simple knotted project into a true work of bohemian art.
The Easiest Way to Calculate How Much Cord You Need
The 8x Rule of Thumb
The most stressful part of starting a macrame project was trying to figure out how much cord to cut. I learned a simple rule of thumb that works for most projects: your cords should be about eight times the desired final length of your project. So, if you want to make a wall hanging that is two feet long, you should start with cords that are sixteen feet long. It seems like a huge amount, but the knotting process uses up a surprising amount of cord. This simple rule prevents the horror of running out of cord mid-project.
I Made a Macrame “Curtain” for My Doorway
The Hippie Beaded Curtain 2.0
I wanted a cool, bohemian-style curtain for my closet doorway. I mounted a long dowel above the doorframe. I then spent a weekend creating a long, beautiful macrame curtain with an intricate diamond pattern. It was a simple, repetitive, and meditative process. The final result was a stunning, unique piece of functional art that provides privacy while still letting the light through. It’s a true statement piece that adds a huge amount of personality to my room.
The Most Common Macrame Mistake for Beginners
The Half-Knot Spiral
When I was learning the square knot, my work would often start to spiral and twist instead of lying flat. This is the most common beginner mistake. It happens when you are accidentally tying a “half knot” over and over again, instead of a full “square knot.” A square knot is made of two half knots, with the second one being a mirror image of the first. If you forget to switch which cord goes over the top for the second half of the knot, you will create a beautiful spiral, which is a great technique, but not if you want a flat panel.