With the recent resurgence of boho furniture, macrame has once again taken center stage in home decor trends.
Its intricate knots and designs offer a beautiful blend of handmade elegance and bohemian charm, making it a go-to choice for those looking to for an artistic addition to their homes.
There’s just one problem: macrame products are expensive, costing upwards of $50 for a basic wall hanging.
So instead of buying one online, why not do it yourself? It’s much easier than you think—and it’ll give you the satisfaction of creating a piece that’s uniquely yours!
Stick around as in this article, I’ll show you how to make a macrame wall hanging DIY using various knots.
By combining these knots, you’ll create captivating and visually appealing patterns that will elevate the decor of any room.
Here’s What You’ll Need to Get Started
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need when making a macrame hanging wall DIY:
Macrame Cord or Rope
When choosing a macrame cord, ensure it’s high-quality, durable, pliable, and matches your desired aesthetic. Cotton, nylon cords, and jute are your best options.
The thickness of the cord will impact the overall look and feel of your wall hanging. The most common rope thickness is 3, 4, and 5 mm, but you’ll also find thickness of 30 mm and above. The thicker the cord, the more length you’ll need.
There are three types of macrame cords: single-twist, three-ply, and braided.
- Single-twist cords: Delicate and can unravel quickly, so they’re not the best choice for practicing knots. However, they make a gorgeous fringe when brushed out.
- Three-ply cords: Feature a firm but soft structure, making them suitable for practice sessions. When brushed, they make a curly fringe.
- Braided cords: Stretchy and soft. They’re created by braiding eight to 10 fibers into a tube-like braid. They’re not the best choice for creating a fringe because they’re difficult to unwind.
Wooden Dowel
A wooden dowel acts as the foundation of your DIY wall hanging.
It not only provides structure and support but also offers a way to hang your project on the wall.
It’s available in most craft stores and hardware supply stores in various lengths and diameters.
For a small, lightweight macrame project, opt for a 1/2-inch dowel as it strikes a good balance between sturdiness and bulkiness.
A 3/8 inch dowel is also a viable option, but anything less should be avoided.
For medium projects, use a 3/4, 7/8, or 1-inch thick dowel to ensure appropriate thickness and support.
For large and heavy tapestries, use a dowel between 1 to 3 inches in thickness.
Scissors
Any pair of scissors will do. Just make sure it’s sharp and big enough to cut through the chosen cord material.
Measuring Tape or Ruler
Accurate measurements are crucial in macrame to ensure your knots and patterns are as consistent as can be.
A measure tape or ruler will help you achieve even patterns and a visually appealing final product.
Comb or Pet Brush
A comb or brush can help you untwist or straighten out cord fibers to create a polished and professional finish.
Feathers, Beads, and Decorative Accents (Optional)
Decorative accents add a bit of personality and style to your macrame wall hanging.
Beads add texture and visual interest, while feathers and other decorative accents add a touch of luxury to your creation.
Top 8 Macrame Wall Hanging DIY Knots
If you’re a beginner, it’s easy to become intimidated by macrame knots. But don’t worry, it’s actually easier than it looks! The key is to take it step by step and give yourself time to learn and improve.
Here are some simple macrame wall-hanging knots to get you started:
1. Lark’s Head
When making macrame, the lark’s head is a constant companion. It appears in almost every project, serving as a starting point for various patterns and designs. It’s a simple yet effective way to securely anchor your cords before you begin creating various patterns and designs.
To make a lark’s head knot, start by folding your string in half and creating a loop.
Bring the end under the towel and through the loop, with the looped end facing upward.
Pull the loose ends down and through the loop, securing the cord to the dowel.
And that’s it—all you’ll need to do is gently pull the loose ends downward to tighten the knot around the cord.
2. Square Knot
The square knot is one of the fundamental knots used in macrame projects. It’s an easy knot to learn, making it an excellent introduction for beginners.
To tie a square knot, take two cords of equal length and fold them in half. Place the folded midpoint of each cord under the dowel, with the looped end facing upward.
Take the left cord and cross it over the two middle cords. Then, tuck the left cord’s end under the right cord, forming a loop around it.
Pull both ends of the cords to tighten the knot, and adjust them to make sure it’s even and snug against the dowel.
Repeat as needed or combine it with other knots to create intricate patterns in your macrame project.
3. Butterfly Knot
The butterfly knot is a variation of the square knot.
Instead of pulling the knots tightly together, leave some space between each square knot.
The pattern of tight knots followed by loose knots will make it appear like a row of butterflies.
As you work, adjust the tightness and spacing of each knot to achieve the desired butterfly effect.
4. Spiral Knot
The spiral knot is much like the square knot, except instead of alternating between the left and right cords, you’ll only work with one of them.
To start, hang two cords onto your dowel using the lark’s knot. This will leave you with four hanging cords in total.
Pass the right tying cord under the anchor cords and above the left tying cord. Make sure the anchor cords are positioned horizontally and the tying cords vertically.
Pass the left tying cord above the anchor cords and through the loop made by the right cord. This will create a knot around the anchor cords.
Pull both cords to tighten the knot. As you pull, you’ll start to see the spiral knot taking shape.
Repeat these steps for each set of anchor cords and tying cords to build the design. Adjust the tightness and spacing as you go to achieve the desired look for your project.
5. Berry Knot
The berry knot, also known as the macadamia knot, resembles a cluster of berries or beads. The berry-like knot makes for a good accent piece for any macrame project.
Start by doing four square knots. Take the tails of the knots and loop them through the space above the first square knot. Pull the knot to create a small, wrapped loop.
Continue the looping and threading process until you achieve the desired size and fullness.
For each subsequent loop, pass the main cord horizontally over the other cord, form a loop, and thread the main cord from below.
6. Double Half-Hitch Knot (DHH)
The double half-hitch knot is a bit more complicated than the rest of the knots on this list, but nothing that practice and patience can’t perfect.
Start by making four lark’s head knots.
Using your right hand, take the far left strand and hold it diagonally across the other cords.
Then, take the second strand from the left and position it over the end of the first strand.
Hold the fourth strand from the left and place it over the loop created by the third strand.
Thread the end of the first strand through the loops of the other three strands, starting from the bottom and moving upwards.
Pull to tighten the knots and create a woven effect.
7. Wrapping Knot
The wrapping knot is used at either the beginning of the project or the end.
To make this knot, start with two to four lark’s head knots. Grab a separate cord (not attached to the dowel) and wrap the long end of the working cord around the rest of the cords.
Wrap the working cord several times around the loose cords until only a small section of the folded working cord is left.
Pass the end of the working cord through the folded loop, and pull the top end of the working cord up.
Top Macrame Tips for Beginners
To make your macrame DIY an enjoyable experience, follow these tips:
- Before starting a piece, practice the knots with a spare string and see how it looks.
- Don’t be afraid to unknot and start again if you’re unhappy with a piece. Macrame is incredibly forgiving, allowing you to learn and improve through trial and error.
- As you become more comfortable with basic knots, experiment with different knots, patterns, and combinations. You don’t have to follow a standard mold—macrame is a canvas for your creativity!
- When learning macrame, video tutorials work a lot better than written tutorials. Browse YouTube and other video platforms for a step-by-step macrame guide to grasp the knotting techniques effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is macrame difficult to learn?
No, macrame is actually pretty easy to master! The final product might look complicated, but it’s mostly a combination of basic macrame knots.
Once you master the lark’s knot, the square knot, and the spiral knot, you can combine them to create an intricate but gorgeous macrame wall hanging.
Can I use knitting yarn for macrame?
Yes, you can use knitting yarn for macrame. However, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re a beginner.
Knitting yarn is usually too thin and stretchy to create a comprehensive and aesthetically appealing pattern.
Macrame involves a lot of tightening, and most knitting yards compress so much that the knots would appear smaller than expected.
It’ll take a lot of knots and yarn to create a design that matches that of macrame cords or ropes.
How long does a macrame project take?
It depends on your expertise, speed, and the project itself. Small projects usually take about an hour, while more intricate projects can take over five hours.
My first macrame project—a simple macrame curtain—took me well over three hours to complete. Nowadays, I can finish the same project in less than an hour.
How much cord do I need for a DIY macrame wall hanging?
Again, it depends on the project!
A macrame window curtain, for example, requires around 100 meters of cord depending on the size of the window and the pattern you’ve chosen.
A basic macrame wall hanging requires between 20 to 28 strands of cord, measuring 20 feet (6 meters) each. A macrame plant hanger uses six 13-foot (4-meter) cords.
As a beginner, the best thing you could do is to buy a kit that will tell you exactly how much cord you need for a certain project.
Other than wall hangers, what else can I make using macrame?
Macrame is an incredibly versatile craft. In a way, it’s much like knitting—you can create everything from clothing to blankets, to garlands, jar hangers, and jewelry.
Where can I find macrame patterns?
You can find macrame patterns with a quick search on Amazon, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, and various crafting websites.
You’ll also find dedicated macrame pattern books available both online and at your local bookstore.
These resources offer a wide selection of patterns for different skill levels and project types, from simple wall hangings to intricate patterns.
Wrapping Up
I hope this guide on macrame wall hanging DIY helped you gain a better understanding of the essential techniques involved in creating your macrame pieces.
If you’re a complete beginner, I recommend that you start with the lark’s head knot, the square knot, and the spiral knot. These knots serve as a foundation for more complex patterns and designs.
With enough practice and dedication, you’ll be able to experiment with various designs and create stunning macrame pieces for your home.