Skip to content

DECORHINT

  • Shop Our Home
  • AmazonExpand
    • Weekly Amazon Finds
    • Pottery Barn Inspired Items on Amazon
    • Amazon Home Decor Finds
    • Favorite Amazon Light Fixtures
    • Christmas Decor on Amazon
    • Stocking Stuffers For Everyone
    • Amazon Storefront
  • home finds
  • DIYExpand
    • wood projects
    • paint projects
    • crafts
    • tips + tricks
    • halloween
    • christmas
  • inspiration
  • AboutExpand
    • Meet Karen
    • Start a Blog
    • Product Photography Session
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Contact Me
DECORHINT

Basic Macrame Knots + Printable Macrame Knots PDf

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our policy page for details.

ByKaren Sloan Updated onJanuary 3, 2023

Learn how to make basic macrame knots with this step-by-step guide.  Includes a handy macrame knots pdf that you can print out for your next macrame project!


Are you feeling totally overwhelmed by Macrame? Do you see all these beautiful patterns and think, ‘I could never do that?’

I have good news for you. YOU CAN.

Your Macrame worries are over. Today I’m helping you take that first step.

I’ve included a handy macrame knots pdf that you can get and print out for your next Macrame project.  Go to the bottom of the post to get your free pdf.  

A few of you have asked me about tying Spiral Knots. So I included a video at the bottom of this post with me tying spiral knot macrame ornaments. You can use the Quick Links section to jump right there.

Table of Contents
  • Is Macrame Easy?
  • Basic Macrame Knots: Step by Step
  • Lark's Head Knot
  • Square Knot
  • Half Hitch
  • Double Half Hitch
  • How to Tie a Spiral Knot
  • Watch a Video of Spiral Knot
  • You Did It!
  • Download your Guide

Is Macrame Easy?

Macrame is basically tying knots, in my opinion. As with most things in life, you can improve on your craft with practice. I do think Macrame is an easy craft to pick up.

Although very intricate knots can take a bit of practice, these basic knots I’m about to show you are sometimes all you need. Because here’s the great thing about macrame:  Even the most basic macrame knots can make drop-dead gorgeous patterns.  Just check out these macrame projects for the beginner.  Amazing, right?

If you can tie a knot, you can macrame.

Table of Contents
  • Is Macrame Easy?
  • Basic Macrame Knots: Step by Step
  • Lark's Head Knot
  • Square Knot
  • Half Hitch
  • Double Half Hitch
  • How to Tie a Spiral Knot
  • Watch a Video of Spiral Knot
  • You Did It!
  • Download your Guide

Check out my other Macrame Projects right here:

  • Macrame Feathers
  • Macrame Wall Hanging
  • Macrame Mason Jars
  • Macrame Pillow Cover
  • Macrame Tassel Christmas Ornaments

Basic Macrame Knots: Step by Step

Below are four basic knots to get you started.  You can make so many things with just these basic knots under your belt.  Keychains, bookmarks, placemats, macrame bracelets, macrame knot wall hangings, plant and jar hangers, etc.

Basic Macrame Knots - Macrame Cording and Hoop

So first we need to go grab some Macrame cord.  I like this cording.   But Amazon has TONS of options for good macrame cording.  And don’t forget that you can get all sorts of colors too.  Read the reviews and find what works for you.

Then, we need to get a hoop, a stick or a ring.  Something like this to attach your cord to.

Here’s a whole set for you if you want to get it all at once.

Shop My Favorites

Basic Macrame Knots + Printable Macrame Knots PDf - Learn how to make basic macrame knots with this step-by-step guide.  Includes a handy macrame knots pdf that you can print out for your next macrame project!

We are making progress already.  

Let’s get started with our knots …

Lark’s Head Knot

The Lark’s Head Knot is one of the most basic knots in Macrame. 

In fact, almost every beautiful piece of finished macrame you see starts with this knot. 

How to Make a Lark's Head Knot
Fold Cord in half to create a loop. Place loop under Ring.
How to Make a Lark's Head Knot
Pull ends through the loop
How to Make a Lark's Head Knot
Pull tight
How to Make a Lark's Head Knot
Lark’s Head Knot Complete!

The Lark’s head knot is used to attach your cording to your ring, dowel or handle when starting a macrame project.

  1. Start by folding your piece of macrame cord in half.
  2. See that little loop?  Place that loop under your ring or dowel.
  3. Now fish the ends of the cording through that loop.
  4. Pull tight and you have your lark’s head knot!

By the way – check out this really easy and cute DIY macrame knot wall hanging with beads using JUST the lark’s head knot.  

To make a reverse lark’s head knot – you simply do a lark’s head knot the opposite way.  OR – just flip your project around to the back.  

Square Knot

There are essentially two parts to the square knot. 

You have to complete one side (also called a half square knot) and then the other side (also called a right half square knot) to make the full square knot.

how to make a square knot
2 Lark’s Head Knots
how to make a square knot
Left cord over middle cords and under right cord
how to make a square knot
Right cord under middle cords and through left loop
  1. Start with two Lark’s head Knots.
  2. There should be a total of 4 macrame cords there.
  3. We are going to take the outer left cord and cross it over the two middle cords.
  4. Now take the outer right cord and place it on top of the left cord and UNDER the two middle cords.
  5. Loop it through the hole on the left side.
  6. Now pull tight without letting your cords twist.
  7. Yay!  You now have ONE side of your square knot done.  You have now completed a half square knot.  

Now, let’s do the other side…

how to make a square knot
Right cord over middle cords and under left cord
how to make a square knot
Left cord under middle cords and through right loop
how to make a square knot
Pull tight without twisting cords. Square knot complete!
  1. You should still see your 4 cords there – got it? Good.
  2. Take the outer RIGHT cord and cross it over the two middle cords.
  3. Take the outer left cord and place it on top of the left cord and UNDER the two middle cords.
  4. Loop it through the hole on the right side.
  5. Now pull your cords tight.  Your Right Half Square Knot is complete.
  6. You have completed the full square knot.

When you repeat this knot over and over again (in rows or sinnets) – you end up with a beautiful pattern of tightly weaved or netted cording.

This photo below is an alternating square knot.

Square Knot - alternating

This is more of a wider pattern. I love alternating square knots with even spacing in between the knots. 

alternating square knot
4 Lark’s Head Knots to Start
alternating square knot
Make a Square knot on left side and right side
alternating square knot
Make a Square knot with Middle Cords
alternating square knot
Continue Pattern – left side, right side, middle etc

To make the alternating square knot as I did above, start with 4 Lark’s head knots (there will be 8 total cords).

  1. Make a square knot with four left side cords.
  2. Make a square knot with the four right side cords.
  3. Make a square knot with the four middle cords.  (Push away the outer two cords on the left and right side to make it easier.)
  4. Continue working this pattern, left, right, middle, left, right, middle.
  5. Make sure to pull your cords tight without any twisting.

Half Hitch

To me, a half hitch is simply your basic knot.   Follow these steps …

Double Half Hitch Knot
Start with Lark’s Head Knot
Double Half Hitch Knot
Make a #4
Double Half Hitch Knot
Pull cord back through the 4
Double Half Hitch Knot
Half Hitch Knot Complete! Repeat again for a Double Half Hitch.
  1. Start with a Lark’s head knot.
  2. Take one cord and make a number 4.
  3. Loop that cord through the “4” hole and pull tight.
  4. You made a half hitch knot!

Double Half Hitch

A double half hitch knot is just a half hitch knot repeated a second time.

  1. Start with a Lark’s head knot.
  2. Take one cord and make a number 4.
  3. Loop that cord through the “4” hole and pull tight.
  4. Make another number 4 using the same cord you used before.
  5. Loop it through the hole of the “4” and pull tight.
Double Half Hitch Knot
Start with 3 Lark’s Head Knots
Double Half Hitch Knot
Place outer left cord diagonally across all the other cords
Double Half Hitch Knot
Make a U with the next cord
Double Half Hitch Knot
Pull the cord back through the U to finish your knot. Repeat again to complete a double half hitch knot

See that diagonal pattern I made?  You can make this by doing a repeat of double half hitch knots.  (See photo above)

Here’s how to make it:  

  1. Start with 3 or more Lark’s head knots.  For this example – we are using 3 Lark’s Head knots.  There is a total of 6 cords.
  2. Take the outer left cord and place it diagonally across all the other 5 cords.  This cord is your filler cord. The direction and placement of this outer left cord will determine the pattern.  So just make sure it’s placed the way you want over your cords.
  3. Working left to right, make a double half hitch knot with the second cord.
  4. Pull your cord tight.  Ensure your outer left cord is still placed diagonally over the cords.
  5. Now make a double half hitch knot with the third cord.
  6. Now make a double half hitch knot with the fourth cord.
  7. And keep going until you reach the last cord on the right side.  You will see your diagonal pattern of knots.
  8. Now, you are going to repeat steps 2-7 but this time working right to left.  So place the outer right cord diagonally over the other cords.
How to Make a Half Hitch Knot
Complete steps with all the next cords
How to Make a Half Hitch Knot
Work left to right
How to Make a Half Hitch Knot
Now repeat steps again, but work right to left

You can also make a horizontal line of double half hitch knots (just go horizontal instead of diagonal with that first cord).

There are variations to the half hitch knots, (like triple half hitch knots), but even with these basic half hitch knots, you can make great patterns.

How to Tie a Spiral Knot

I think the Spiral knot is one of the prettiest knots.  And fortunately – it’s one of the easiest too!

Spiral Knot - Macrame

You already know how to do the spiral knot. 

It’s just a repeat pattern of half-square knots (first half of a square knot) or half hitch knots. 

Instead of switching to the right side to complete the square knot, you just keep working that left side.  The macrame will naturally spiral.  Just go with it.

Watch a Video of Spiral Knot

I made spiral Christmas Ornaments. You can see how I did this below.

To make a thicker version of the spiral knot, start with 2 Lark’s Head knots.

To make a single version – start with 1 Lark’s Head knot and make a repeat pattern of half hitch knots. 

Again – your macrame will naturally start to twist.  This is the pattern on the far right below. The trickiest part of this knot is keeping the pattern going the right way when it starts to twist.  

That’s it!

You Did It!

You’re awesome! 

Pat yourself on the back!

Look at your beautiful macrame knots and patterns.  Aren’t you super impressed?

PS:  I sat in front of the TV and finished these knots up last night after the kids were in bed.  My husband asked me if I was making him a giant friendship bracelet.  LOL. He wishes.

Subscribe below and I’ll email you the basic macrame knots guide. You may print this out and refer to it but please do not share it with anyone else.

Go on, make a friendship bracelet for your spouse. 🙂

Download your Guide

Please click the download button below to get your guide! It will automatically download to your computer.

Macrame Knots Guide – Decorhint.comDownload

Be sure to check out my other favorite macrame projects!

xo Karen

Post navigation

Previous Previous
Free Printable Wall Art : Typography Design
NextContinue
Designing a New Kitchen
DECORHINT.COM About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer & Disclosure
  • T & C

Decor Hint is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All content on this website is copyrighted to Decor Hint, unless otherwise noted. Re-use is not permitted without explicit written permission. This website is not intended to substitute for advice from a professional.

© 2023 DECORHINT

Instagram Pinterest Facebook YouTube TikTok
  • Shop Our Home
  • Amazon
    • Weekly Amazon Finds
    • Pottery Barn Inspired Items on Amazon
    • Amazon Home Decor Finds
    • Favorite Amazon Light Fixtures
    • Christmas Decor on Amazon
    • Stocking Stuffers For Everyone
    • Amazon Storefront
  • home finds
  • DIY
    • wood projects
    • paint projects
    • crafts
    • tips + tricks
    • halloween
    • christmas
  • inspiration
  • About
    • Meet Karen
    • Start a Blog
    • Product Photography Session
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Contact Me
Search