Effortless Macrame Projects for Beginners

Macrame looks complicated, but nearly every project is built from just a few knots repeated in different patterns. Once you can tie three of them, you can make plant hangers, wall art, coasters and more. The supplies are inexpensive, and a first project can be finished in an hour.

This guide shows you the materials, the three essential knots and four beginner projects with cord lengths. There is also a speedy fix list for the most common problems, such as uneven knots and tangled cord.

Choose the right cord

A 3 to 4 millimeter single-strand or three-ply cotton cord is the easiest to handle. Cotton rope is soft, holds knots well and can be combed out to make fringe. Avoid very slippery synthetic cords while learning. A 100 foot spool costs about $8 to $15, enough for several projects. You will also need scissors, a measuring tape, a wooden dowel or ring and a clothespin or tape to hold work in place.

Learn three basic knots

The lark's head knot attaches cord to a dowel: fold the cord in half, place the loop behind the dowel, and pull the ends through the loop. The square knot uses four cords. Take the left cord over the middle two and under the right cord, then the right cord under the middle two and over the left, and pull tight. Repeat in reverse to complete one square knot. The spiral knot repeats half of the square knot over and over so it twists naturally.

Tip: Practice each knot ten times using scrap cord. Even tension is what makes macrame look neat.

Project one: a plant hanger

Cut four cords of 8 feet each. Fold them in half, tie an overhand knot about 4 inches below the fold to form a loop at the top. Separate into four pairs, and tie a square knot in each pair about 8 inches below the loop. Take one cord from each neighboring pair and tie new knots about 4 inches lower. Gather all cords below and tie a final wrap knot to hold the pot. Hang from a ceiling hook rated for the weight of a wet plant.

Project two: an effortless wall hanging

Use a 12 inch dowel and 10 cords of 6 feet each. Attach each cord with a lark's head knot. Tie rows of square knots across, staggering each row by two cords to form a diamond pattern. Trim the bottom into a V or straight line, and comb out the ends with a pet brush or fine comb for a soft fringe. It takes about two hours.

• Pull knots snugly for a tidy pattern.
• Measure every row so spacing stays consistent.
• Steam the finished piece to relax the cord.

Project three: coasters

Use a 4 inch metal ring and 3 yards of cord. Wrap cord around the ring using a series of lark's head knots, then create alternating square knots inside the ring. Another speedy option is a flat spiral coil of rope, glued or stitched in a circle. Cotton absorbs moisture, so wash occasionally in cold water and air-dry flat.

Project four: a keychain

Cut two cords of 40 inches. Attach to a key ring with a lark's head knot, then tie a series of spiral knots for about 3 inches. Finish with a wrap knot and trim the tails into a tassel. It costs less than a dollar and takes 15 minutes, which makes it an excellent gift.

Troubleshooting

• If knots are uneven, check that you start each square knot on the same side.
• If cord frays too speedy, wrap tape around the ends while working.
• If the design twists, lay it flat and keep the top fixed.
• If you run out of cord, add more length next time, as knots use about four times the finished length.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Cutting cords too short.
• Pulling knots at different tensions.
• Working with the project hanging loose, which makes it harder to control.
• Choosing a thin or slippery cord for the first project.

Begin with the keychain to practice, then move to the plant hanger. A calm hour of knotting is relaxing, and every piece you make will improve your technique.