How to Get Started With Macrame as an Absolute Beginner – The Easy Way!

Welcome to Macrame for Beginners

I’m so excited you’re here! You’ve chosen the best place to learn how to get started with Macrame.

My name is Marloes and I’m a Macrame teacher from the Netherlands (who currently lives in Spain). I’ve fallen madly in love with Macrame ever since I made my first plant hanger in 2019 and I can’t wait to teach you how to make yours!

Learning Macrame doesn’t have to be complicated, and I’m here to simplify and make your learning experience fun and stress-free!

On this blog, I offer an easy and FREE 3-Step method to learn Macrame:

1. Start with the Essentials – learn all the basics of Macrame with free in-depth guides
2. Choose your Project – discover our free tutorials for all popular Macrame projects
3. Shop Tools & Supplies – learn where to buy the best Macrame tools & supplies

This How to Get Started with Macrame Guide covers a little bit of everything. That way, you can get a quick overview of all topics I cover on my blog with handy links to guides that offer more in-depth information!

Happy Knotting!

How to get started with Macrame

The most frequently asked question from our Macrame for Beginners Facebook Group members is how to get started with Macrame. And I totally understand why!

There is so much information out there that it makes many beginners feel very overwhelmed and unable to start with their first project.

Luckily, there is no need to feel this way because it’s easy to get started with Macrame! Here’s why:

1 – Most beautiful Macrame projects you see online are created with just three basic knots, which are super easy to learn!

2 – Once you know the basic knots, you can create anything your heart desires: wall hangings, plant hangers, bags, Christmas decorations, earrings, keychains, and more!

3 – You don’t need anything but Macrame cords to get started, yay!

I’m confident that this extensive blog post will help you start successfully with Macrame. Keep reading and discover my best tip to instantly make your beginner projects look professional and ready to sell on Etsy!

Now, let’s dive into some of the most frequently asked questions that all beginners have, and let me show you which Macrame cords I recommend for beginners!

Is Macrame easy to learn?

Yes, Macrame is seriously one of the easiest crafts to learn! Most Macrame projects you see on Instagram and Pinterest are created with just 3 basic knots.

Once you know these basic knots, you can learn how to use them in different patterns. There are easy Macrame patterns but also a bit more complicated ones, which is great because you can keep challenging yourself for years to come!

And the best thing is, even when you only know how to do the square knot, you can still create countless different Macrame projects such as wall hangings, market bags, and plant hangers. I’ll show you some examples of easy beginner projects at the end of this blog post!

Fun Fact: Did you make friendship bracelets in your childhood? Then you probably already know how to do Macrame! Yay!

What can you make with Macrame?

Once you know the basic knots there are many amazing projects you can make with Macrame. I’ve listed 50 fun Macrame projects in this blog post to get you inspired!

Join our Macrame for Beginners Facebook Group

When you’re just starting out with a new hobby, it can be very beneficial (and lots of fun) to connect with fellow beginners for tips and positive encouragement.

Therefore I’ve created the Macrame for Beginners Facebook Group: a safe place where you can learn new knots & patterns, ask all your questions, and share your latest creations with our lovely & positive Macrame community. Come and join us, we’re happy to help you out!

How to get started with Macrame as a beginner?

The best way to start with Macrame is by first picking out an easy beginner project you would like to recreate, like a plant hanger or small wall hanging.

As a beginner, it can be a bit tricky to figure out and understand how to measure your Macrame cords for a project. By simply following a step-by-step tutorial you can easily prevent making any mistakes and stressing out about wasting your gorgeous supplies.

You can find many beginner-friendly video tutorials on my blog that show you exactly how to start with each Macrame project, including where to buy the best supplies.

Tip: You can slow down a Youtube video by adjusting the playback speed. In your browser, click on the settings icon in the left corner of the video and adjust it to a lower setting between 0.25 and 0.75. In the app, you can click on the 3 dots in the upper left corner of the video to change the playback speed.

What are the basic Macramé knots?

Although this is not an official number, I would say there are about 5 basic Macrame knots. As two of them are just an easy variation, it’s only 3 knots that you have to master to get started with Macrame.

In my Free Macrame Knot Guide, I cover 5 knots you will regularly use when making Macrame plant hangers, wall hangings, bags, keyrings, earrings, and more! Here they are:

• Lark’s Head Knot + Reverse Lark’s Head Knot
• Square Knot
• Spiral Knot (Half Square Knot)
• Double Half Hitch Knot (Horizontal, Diagonal, and Vertical)
• Gathering Knot

All knot tutorials include handy step-by-step photos with clear text instructions to learn each knot at your own pace. You can practice your knots with the easy wall-hanging tutorial I’ve included!

Lark’s Head Knot

The Lark’s Head Knot is a super simple knot to attach your work to a dowel or ring. You can also use this knot to attach new cords to your piece and create a fluffy fringe.

Square Knot

The Square Knot is the most versatile knot in Macrame and can be used in many different patterns. Once you know the Square Knot, you can also make the Spiral Knot (which is only half a quare Knot) and the cute Berry Knot.

Double Half Hitch Knot

The Double Half Hitch Knot (DHHK) is mostly used to create lines in your patterns. You can make horizontal, vertical, or diagonal rows with the DHHK. You can also free-flow your lines of knots and create your own shapes.

Download my Free Macrame Knot Guide and learn them all!

Practice and be patient

Before you start your project, I recommend using some of your Macrame cords to practice the basic knots first.

It will take some time before you figure out the best way to hold & loop your cords and where to place your fingers. If you keep practicing things will speed up really fast. It’s sort of like learning how to play an instrument so having patience really is key here.

Also, make peace with the fact that you will get frustrated and make many mistakes, especially in the beginning.

Luckily, the best thing about Macrame is that you can simply untie your knot(s) and start over. No one will ever know 🙂

BONUS Now that you know how to make the basic knots, you’ll quickly realize that patterns that looked super complex to you at first, are now a piece of cake to recreate!

Essential Macrame Tools

You don’t need many tools to get started with Macrame but I do recommend investing in a good pair of sharp scissors so you won’t have any issues with cutting your cords.

To discover all my favorite Macrame tools and where to buy them, make sure to check out my handy Tools & Supplies Shopping Guide!

Sharp Scissors

Scissors are an important tool and well worth it to invest in. You’ll be using scissors a lot when working on projects and you’ll really want a sharp pair to make life easier. I recommend using Fiskar Amplify Scissors.

Tape Measure

To help you measure out your cords, I recommend getting a self-lock tape measure. I recommend using the Komelon 25-foot self-lock Power tape.

BEGINNER TIP: I usually only cut one cord with the help of a measuring tape and use that one as my guide for the next cords I need to cut.

Rotary Cutter

Often recommended by our lovely group members, rotary cutters are ideal for shaping feathers or cutting your fringe more easily. I recommend getting the Fiskars Crafts Rotary Cutter for the best results.

Pet Brush

I started out with a simple comb, but our group was definitely right about using pet brushes with wire bristles to comb out better-looking fringes, I recommend the Hertzko Pet Brush.

Stiffening Spray

When you’re working on feathers or a Mandala wall hanging and your fringe becomes floppy, try using some stiffening spray to keep them in place. I recommend this Stiffen-Quick Fabric Stiffening Spray by Aleene.

Cord dye

Looking to dye your cords? You can use RIT dye to dip-dye your cords or go for natural ingredients such as beets, avocado, or coffee. Here’s a great Youtube video that shows you which veggies and fruit you can use for this.

What should I buy to start with Macrame?

What supplies you need to buy to start with your first Macrame project, depends on what you want to make.

I’ve made handy shopping guides for all different types of projects, which you can find in my Macrame Tools & Supplies Shopping Guide!

DIY Macrame wall hanging supplies

For Macrame wall hangings, you can use a dowel rod, or metal shape to attach your work. For decoration, you can add wooden beads. Find my favorite suppliers for these items in my How to make a Macrame wall hanging guide.

DIY Macrame plant hanger supplies

For Macrame plant hangers, you can use wooden or metal rings. There are also plant hanger patterns available for which you don’t need to use a ring. You can find my favorite plant hanger supplies in my How to make a Macrame plant hanger guide.

DIY Macrame bag supplies

To make a Macrame bag, you don’t always need supplies but for some patterns, you need to use wooden or metal bag handles. You can find my favorite bag handles in my How to make a Macrame bag guide.

DIY Macrame earring supplies

For Macrame earrings, you can use simple hoops or pretty wooden findings. Find my favorite supplies in my guide How to make Macrame earrings.

How to set up your Macrame Workstation?

When it comes to setting up your Macrame workspace, I wouldn’t worry about it too much when you’re just starting out.

I duct-taped dowels, hoops, and rings to tables, doors, and walls and my projects came out looking just fine! 🙂

Macrame Work Stand

There will, however, come a time when you’re done with taping things to the wall and you would like a bit more comfort while working on bigger Macrame pieces.

In that case, I recommend getting yourself a cheap (or more expensive adjustable) clothing rack so you can hang your work.

I bought mine from Ikea for about 10 euros and because it’s super lightweight, I can easily place it in every room of my house.

You can hang your dowels and rings from the clothing rack using Large S-hooks.

Macrame board

For smaller projects, such as Macrame jewelry or bags, you can work with a super handy Beadsmith Macrame board on which you can easily pin your work. You can read my review of this product here!

To find out more about all the handy macrame tools I use, you can check out my complete Macrame Workstation Setup Guide full of great tools and tips for beginners.

What is the best cord for Macrame?

Most Macrame makers love making their projects with soft-cotton Macrame cords by eco-friendly brands such as Bobbiny and GANXXET. These high-quality cords are a true joy to work with and will make your work look amazing instantly, even as a beginner!

Types of Macrame cord

Online Macrame stores usually offer 3 types of Macrame cords: 3-Ply, Single Twist and Braided. These cords are available from 1.5mm up to 9 mm in thickness.

What cords you choose for your project depends on the pattern you’re following, personal preference, the size of your piece, and if you want to create a fringe. To learn more check my Complete Guide on How to Choose the Right Macrame Cords for your Project!

Single Twist Cords: For the Single Twist Cords the soft cotton fibers are all twisted together. Single Twist cords are delicate and can unravel quickly so they’re not the most suitable for practicing your knots. They are easy to brush out into a gorgeous fringe.

Triple Twist Ropes (3-ply): The Triple Twist Ropes are made by combining three separate single-twisted parts into a spiral. The firm but soft structure makes 3-Ply cords perfect for beginners and to use in your practice sessions. When brushed out they make a curly fringe.

Braided Cords: Bobbiny’s Braided Cotton Cords are soft, stretchy, and the perfect alternative for t-shirt yarn. Braided cords look gorgeous in all projects but they’re not suitable to create a fringe. The flexible nature of this cord might make them a bit harder to work with for absolute beginners.

My Favorite Cords

I love working with Bobbiny Macrame cords. They’re perfect for beginners, eco-friendly, silky soft, and available in tons of gorgeous colors like Mustard Yellow, Metallic Gold, and Wild Rose.

If you want to know more about why I recommend Bobbiny as my #1 brand for Macrame cords, make sure to read my full Bobbiny product review and check this handy shopping guide to find local Bobbiny suppliers in the USA and Canada.

What mm cord size do I need for my Macrame project?

When determining the mm cord thickness for your project, the basic rule is to use thin cords in small projects and thick cords in big projects.

For example, when you use thin cords for a large project, keep in mind that you will have to do a lot of knotting AND that the knots and patterns will be less visible.

My recommendation per project type

• Big wall hanging: 4-6 mm
• Small wall hanging 3-5 mm
• Planter: 2-5 mm
• Market bag: 3-5 mm
• Small purse: 2-5 mm
• Jewelry: 1.5-3 mm
• Key chain / Bookmark: 1.5-3 mm

How to measure cords?

In most cases, your Macrame cord needs to roughly be about four times the length of your project. When your cord is folded in half with a Lark’s Head Knot to create two cords, then go for eight times the length.

For more in-depth info and tips check out my Complete Guide on How to Estimate Macrame Cord Lengths.

When you’re just starting out with Macrame, I recommend following a tutorial first so you get a better feel of how much length is needed for each type of project.

Best Macrame Cords for Beginners

When you’re still practicing knots and tend to make mistakes in your patterns, I recommend using 3-Ply Macrame cords or braided Macrame cords.

3-Ply and braided Macrame cords are far less fragile than Single Twist cords and the firm structure will make it easier to practice your technique, especially the double half hitch knot.

When you use 3-Ply cords, make sure to always tape your cord ends.

Where to buy Macrame cords

Good quality Macrame cords are usually not available in craft stores and I recommend ordering your cords online. 

Etsy and Amazon sell a wide variety of Macrame cords and I’ve listed all my favorite finds per region so you can find a great local cord supplier near you!

To find the best local Bobbiny cord stockists, you can check out this handy shopping guide!

Can I use regular yarn for Macrame?

Although you can Macrame with regular yarn, jute, twine, or hemp, when you’re a Macrame beginner it’s easier to practice and start your projects with thicker soft-cotton cords.

Yarn is, however, perfect for low-budget Macrame plant hangers that don’t require any fancy patterns. You can also use yarn to create tassels or you can incorporate it into your modern Macrame pieces (like the ones with metal hoops) and your Macraweaves.

Where to find free Macrame patterns?

I’ve teamed up with the best online Macrame teachers to bring you high-quality video tutorials and fun projects to get started with.

It’s been such an honor to talk to Chasta from Soulful Notions, Rebecca from Vanir Creations, and Dan Soliman from Habit Made and ask them all about their love for Macrame. You can read all our interviews here!

Youtube Macrame Tutorials

I love to help you with finding easy Macrame patterns so make sure to check out all my favorite free tutorials here!

Macrame Books

If you prefer written patterns, there are plenty of great Macrame books available. Check out my handy guide with the best Macrame Books for Beginners!

Macrame DIY Kits

If you prefer to start with a DIY Kit, you can find my 10 favorite Macrame DIY Kits for beginners right here!

Join the Macrame for Beginners Facebook Group!

Would you like to ask me all your questions about Macrame and connect with other beginners?

Join our Macrame for Beginners Facebook Group: a safe place to learn new knots and share your latest creations with our lovely Macrame community of over 160K members!