macrame
KNOT
knot GUIDE
guide
LEARN THE BASIC MACRAME KNOTS WITH
EASY STEP-BY-STEP PHOTOS & INSTRUCTIONS
HELLO,
MY NAME IS MARLOES,
AND I ABSOLUTELY
LOVE TEACHING
BEGINNERS HOW TO
START WITH MACRAME!
Thank you so much for downloading my FREE Macrame Knot Guide! I hope it's a
great resource to help you learn the basic Macrame Knots.
In this free guide, I cover five basic knots and will teach you how to make a pretty
boho wall hanging!
Want to learn more? I offer free helpful Macrame Starter Guides on my site
Macrameforbeginners.com. Tap the following links to view them all:
How to Get Started with Macrame
How to Choose the Right Macrame Cords
How to Set Up Your Macrame Workstation
How to Cut and Measure Macrame Cords
How to Make Money with Macrame
Do you enjoy making my patterns? Then check out my new Etsy Shop, Happy
Knotting, for more tutorials with step-by-step photos and written instructions for
beginners!
Happy Knotting!
Marloes
-1-
MACRAME
KNOT GUIDE
The basic knots for Macrame are very easy to master and super fun to
practice! Are you ready to get started?
You only need to know a few basic knots to start your Macrame journey, and I
promise you, they're super easy to learn!
In this Knot Guide, I cover 5 knots you will regularly use when making Macrame
plant hangers, wall hangings, bags, keyrings, earrings, and more!
Lark's Head Knot Reverse Lark's Head Knot Square Knot
PAGE 6 PAGE 6 PAGE 7
Half Square Knot Horizontal Double Half Diagonal Double Half
(Spiral Knot) Hitch Knot Hitch Knot
PAGE 9 PAGE 10 PAGE 11
Vertical Double Half Gathering Knot Practice Wall Hanging
Hitch Knot Pattern
PAGE 12 PAGE 13
PAGE 14
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MACRAME
CORDS
I've used 5 mm Braided Macrame Cord for the knot tutorials in this guide, which
you can order at Bobbiny, Ganxxet, or Bilibag Factory.
Braided cords are super easy to work with, especially when you're a beginner, and I
highly recommend them for practicing your knots!
For links to online shops that sell braided cords, please check my complete
Macrame Cord Shopping Guide on macrameforbeginners.com.
You can browse my handy Macrame Supplies Shopping Guide with the best Etsy
and Amazon sellers for other project supplies like wooden dowels and rings.
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PRACTICE
PROJECT
At the end of this Knot Guide, you'll find an easy Macrame wall hanging tutorial
for beginners to practice your knots, learn the concept of working and holding
cords, and how to measure them correctly.
I can't wait to see your version of this Macrame wall hanging, so don't
forget to tag @macrameforbeginners on Instagram!
BEFORE
YOU START
It's important to understand that each knot will take some practice. Don’t feel
discouraged when it takes a while to figure out where to place your fingers on the
cord and what the next move is. That's totally normal!
I promise it only takes a couple of practice projects to speed up and develop a feel
for tying each knot.
If you have questions about the knot tutorials in this Knot Guide, you can join our
Macrame for Beginners Facebook Group to ask our amazing community for help!
LET'S MAKE SOME KNOTS!
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BASICS OF
KNOTTING
WORKING AND HOLDING CORDS
When making Macrame Knots, you will have holding and working cords. You will
use the working cords to form knots around the holding cords.
SQUARE KNOT
To make a Square Knot, you have two
working cords on the outside and two
rd
co
Righ
holding cords on the inside.
ng
ki
t wo
or
Right holding cord
tw
ng cord
You will use the working cords to form a
rking
f
Le
Square Knot around the holding cords.
i
Left hold
cord
This means your working cords should
always be longer than your holding cords.
when making a Sinnet (column of
continues knots).
Square Knot
DOUBLE HALF HITCH KNOT
To make a Double Half Hitch Knot, you
Holding cord
have one holding cord and multiple
working cords.
working cord
You will use the working cords to form a
Double Half Hitch Knot around the holding
cord.
Double Half Hitch Knot
LEFT AND RIGHT-FACING
SQUARE KNOT
A Square Knot can be left-facing or right-
facing, depending on which working cord you
start with. It's up to your personal preference
which one you want to use.
Left-facing Square Knot
Once you find one side more preferable, I
recommend always starting here (unless a
pattern states otherwise) to help you prevent
making mistakes in your Square Knot
patterns.
Right-facing Square Knot
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LARK'S HEAD KNOT
INSTRUCTIONS
To practice this knot, you need 1 cord
of 15 cm/6".
1 . Fold your cord, place it in front of
the dowel, and pull the loop down
behind it.
2 . Take the loose ends of the cord and
pull them through the loop.
3 . Tighten your cords to the dowel.
REVERSE LARK'S HEAD
KNOT INSTRUCTIONS
To practice this knot, you need 1 cord
of 15 cm/6".
1 . Fold your cord, place it behind the
dowel, and pull the loop down in front
of it.
2 . Take the loose ends of the cord and
pull them through the loop.
3 . Tighten your cords to the dowel.
-6-
LEFT FACING SQUARE KNOT
To practice this knot, attach 2 cords
(50 cm/20") to a dowel, each with a
Lark's Head Knot.
1 . Create the shape of a 4 with your left
working cord. Place it over the 2
middle holding cords and under the
right working cord.
2 . Place the right working cord under
the 2 holding cords and over the right
working cord.
3 . Pull both ends of the working cords
through the loops.
4 . Tighten the working cords to form
the first half of a Square knot.
We're now going to form the second
half of the Square Knot by mirroring
the previous 4 steps.
5 . Create the shape of a reversed 4
with your right working cord. Place it
over the 2 middle holding cords and
under the left working cord.
6 . Place the left working cord under
the 2 holding cords and over the right
working cord.
7 . Pull both ends of the working cords
through the loops.
8 . Tighten the working cords to form
the second half of a Square knot.
When you continue steps 1 to 8, you
can create a Square Knot Sinnet that
should look like this example.
-7-
RIGHT FACING SQUARE KNOT
To practice this knot, attach 2 cords
(50 cm/20") to a dowel. each with a
Lark's Head Knot.
1 . Create the shape of a reversed 4
with your right working cord. Place it
over the 2 middle holding cords and
under the left working cord.
2 . Place the left working cord under
the 2 holding cords and over the right
working cord.
3 . Pull both ends of the working cords
through the loops.
4 . Tighten the working cords to form
the first half of a Square knot.
We're now going to form the second
half of the Square Knot by mirroring
the previous 4 steps.
5 . Create the shape of a 4 with your
left working cord. Place it over the 2
middle cords and under the right
working cord.
6 . Place the right working cord under
the 2 holding cords and over the left
working cord.
7 . Pull both ends of the working cords
through the loops.
8 . Tighten the working cords to form
the second half of a Square knot.
When you continue steps 1 to 8, you
can create a Square Knot Sinnet that
should look like this example.
-8-
LEFT-FACING HALF SQUARE
KNOT (SPIRAL KNOT)
INSTRUCTIONS
To practice this knot, attach 2 cords
(50 cm/20") to a dowel, each with a
Lark's Head Knot.
1 . Create the shape of a 4 with your left
working cord. Place it over the 2
middle holding cords and under the
right working cord.
2 . Place the right working cord under
the 2 holding cords and over the right
working cord.
3 . Pull both ends of the working cords
through the loops.
4 . Tighten the working cords to form a
Half Square Knot.
5 . Repeat steps 1 to 4 to make your
next Half Square Knot.
When you continue steps 1 to 5, you
can create a Half Square Knot Sinnet.
Once the cords start twisting, continue
using your left working cord to make
left-facing Half Square Knots.
Please look at the first half of the right-
facing Square Knot tutorial for
directions on the right-facing Half
Square Knot.
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HORIZONTAL DOUBLE HALF
HITCH KNOT INSTRUCTIONS
To practice this knot, attach 3 cords
(25 cm/20") to a dowel, each with a
Lark's Head Knot. Cut 1 holding cord
(15 cm/6").
1 . Take your first working cord and
loop it under, over, and under the
holding cord.
2 . Tighten your working cord around
the holding cord to form the first Half
Hitch Knot.
3 . Take the same working cord and
loop it over and under the holding
cord.
4 . Tighten your working cord around
the holding cord to form a Double Half
Hitch Knot.
5 . To continue, take your second
working cord and loop it over and
under the holding cord twice to form
your second Double Half Hitch Knot.
6 . Repeat step 5 for every working
cord to form a full row of Double Half
Hitch Knots.
-10-
DIAGONAL DOUBLE HALF
HITCH KNOT INSTRUCTIONS
To practice this knot, attach 6 cords
(50 cm/20") to a dowel, each with a
Lark's Head Knot, and make 3 rows of
decreasing Square Knots.
1 . Take the outer left holding cord and
point it diagonally toward the bottom
Square Knot.
2 . Take the second cord (working cord)
and loop it under, over, and under the
holding cord.
3 . Tighten your working cord around
the holding cord to form the first Half
Hitch Knot.
4 . Take the same working cord and
loop it over and under the holding cord
to form a Double Half Hitch Knot.
Repeat steps 1 to 4 and make 5 Double
Half Hitch Knots on the left side.
We will continue with the right side by
repeating Steps 1 - 4 in the opposite
direction.
5 . Make 5 Double Half Hitch Knots on
the left side.
6 . For the last knot, take your left
holding cord and make 2 Double Half
Hitch Knots with the right holding
cord. You can also do this the opposite
way.
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VERTICAL DOUBLE HALF HITCH
KNOT INSTRUCTIONS
To practice this knot, attach 3 cords
(50 cm/20") to a dowel, each with a
Lark's Head Knot. Cut 1 working cord
(50cm /20").
1 . Take your working cord and loop it
under, over, and under the first 2
holding cords. Move it upwards and
tighten it around the holding cords to
form the first Half Hitch Knot.
2 . Take the same working cord and
loop it over and under the same 2
holding cords to form a Double Half
Hitch Knot.
3 . Place your working cord behind the
next 2 holding cords.
4 . Loop your working cord over and
under the 2 holding cords. Move it
upwards and tighten it around the
holding cords to form the first Half
Hitch Knot.
5. Take the same working cord and
loop it over and under the 2 holding
cords to form a Double Half Hitch Knot.
6. For a downward direction, take your
working cord and loop it around the
same holding cords as your previous
Double Half Hitch Knot.
7 . For the opposite direction, take
your working cord and place it behind
the holding cords you want to wrap
with a Double Half Hitch Knot.
-12-
GATHERING KNOT
INSTRUCTIONS
To practice this knot, pull 3 cords (50
cm/20") evenly through a ring. Cut 1
working cord (50 cm/20").
1 . Take the end of your working cord
and form a loop.
2 . Place the loop in front of the part
you're wrapping, with a small part
sticking out at the top.
3 . Wrap your working cord by pulling it
behind your holding cords.
4 . Bring your working cord back to the
front and repeat.
5 . Wrap your cord 5 times (or more)
until you reach the bottom loop.
6 . Take your working cord and pull it
through the loop.
7 . Tuck on the top cord that sticks out
to slide the knot under the part you
wrapped.
8 . Keep tucking until the knot is
somewhere in the middle. Cut off the
excess cords at the top and bottom,
and push them into the Gathering
Knot with pointy scissors.
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MACRAME WALL HANGING
PATTERN & TUTORIAL
-14-
PRACTICE WALL HANGING
This easy Macrame wall
hanging is perfect for CORDS & SUPPLIES
practicing your knots and This wall hanging is made with
will help you better 5 mm braided cords, but you
can use any cord you like.
understand the concept of
holding and working cords The total amount of cord
needed for this project is:
and how to measure them
correctly. 21.3 meters/70 feet
Supplies
30 cm/12" dowel
PREPARATION KNOTS & TECHNIQUES
This project is best created using a clothing Lark's Head Knot
rack with S-hooks to hang your dowel. Square Knot
Spiral Knot
Cut 16 Macrame cords to the following lengths:
Half Hitch Knot
Spiral Knots 4 x 165 cm/65" Gathering Knot
Square Knots 4 x 175 cm/69"
Double Knot
Half Hitch Knots 2 x 260 cm/102"
Gathering Knots 5 x 40 cm/16"
Double Knots (for hanging) 1 x 50 cm/20"
SIZE FINISHED PROJECT
40 x 30 cm / 16 x 12"
TIP
To make sure the bottom of your wall hanging
aligns in a V-shape, you can make the Gathering
Knots until all sections are knotted. This way,
you can still make some small adjustments if
needed.
Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5
-15-
12"
30 cm/
12"
30 cm/
5 3"
3"
/
135 cm
135 cm/5
INSTRUCTIONS
SECTION 1 AND 5: SPIRAL KNOTS
1 . Attach 2 cords to a dowel, each with
a Lark's Head Knot.
To make a sinnet of Half Square Knots,
the working cords should be
approximately 4.5 times longer than
the holding cords.
Make the inner two holding cords 30
cm/12" long and the outer two working
cords 135 cm/53" long.
2 . Section 1: Make left-facing Half
Square Knots until the working and
holding cords align. Leave about 10
cm/4" unknotted.
3 . Section 2: Make right-facing Half
Square Knots until the working and
holding cords align. Leave about 10
cm/4" unknotted.
4 . Make a Gathering Knot and cut off
any excess cords.
-16-
14"
" 14
35 cm/
35 cm/
"
"
55
m/55
140 cm/
140 c
INSTRUCTIONS
SECTION 2 AND 4: SQUARE KNOTS
1 . Attach 2 cords to a dowel, each with
a Lark's Head Knot.
To make a sinnet of Square Knots, the
working cords should be
approximately 4 times longer than the
holding cords.
Make the inner two holding cords 35
cm/14" long and the outer two working
cords 140 cm/55" long.
2 . Section 2: Make left-facing Square
Knots until the working and holding
cords align. Leave about 10 cm/4"
unknotted.
3 . Section 4: Make right-facing Square
Knots until the working and holding
cords align. Leave about 10 cm/4"
unknotted.
4 . Make a Gathering Knot and cut off
any excess cords.
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/51"
/51"
130 cm
/51"
130 cm/51"
130 cm
130 cm
INSTRUCTIONS
SECTION 3: HALF HITCH KNOTS
1 . Attach 2 cords to a dowel, each with
a Lark's Head Knot.
To make a sinnet of Half Hitch Knots,
both cords should be the same length
because the working and holding
cords switch. Your cords should be
approximately 6.5 times the desired
length.
Make the cords evenly aligned with 130
cm/51".
2 . Take the left working and place it
over and under the right holding cord.
3 . Push the working cord up to form
one Half Hitch Knot.
4 . Take the right working cord and
place it over and under the left holding
cord.
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5 . Push the working cord up to form
one Half Hitch Knot.
Repeat steps 2 - 4 until the working and
holding cords align. Leave about 10 cm
/4" unknotted.
6 . Make a Gathering Knot and cut off
any excess cords.
INSTRUCTIONS
HANGING YOUR WORK
Take your cord and tie a simple Double
Knot on both ends of the dowel. Cut off
any excess cords.
For bigger wall hangings, you can use a
Constrictor Knot.
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ALTERNATIVE DESIGN
Once you're comfortable making the basic knots,
I encourage you to experiment and add new sections of knots and
braids. You now have the tools to make a beautiful boho wall hanging!
HAPPY KNOTTING
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More EASY PATTERNS
Did you enjoy this knot guide? Try more of
my tutorials! Tap on your favorite
projects below for the instructions
HAPPY KNOTTING
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in our Facebook group
TAP HERE TO JOIN
-21-
Hi Friend,
I'M MARLOES, YOUR MACRAME
TEACHER! I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE
YOUR BEAUTIFUL PROJECTS, SO
LET'S CONNECT!
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COPYRIGHT © MACRAME FOR BEGINNERS - 2023
All rights reserved. No parts of this guide and pattern may be copied, distributed, or
published in any form without permission from the publisher. You're not allowed to make
(video) tutorials using my exact instructions.