Why Macramé Is Having a Moment

Macramé — the art of knotting cord into decorative textiles — has made a massive comeback in home décor. And it's easy to see why: the organic texture, neutral tones, and handcrafted feel of macramé pieces add warmth and personality to any room. The best part? You only need a few basic knots to create something genuinely beautiful.

Supplies You'll Need

  • Macramé cord: 3mm or 5mm single-strand or 3-ply cotton rope works best for beginners
  • A dowel rod or driftwood piece: approximately 30–40cm wide
  • Scissors
  • A measuring tape
  • A comb or stiff brush (for fringing)
  • Command hook or wall nail for hanging

How Much Cord Do You Need?

A good rule of thumb: cut each strand to 4 times the desired finished length of your hanging. For a 60cm piece, cut strands to 240cm. Since cords are folded in half when attached to the dowel, you'll work with doubled strands — so each "working cord" is effectively 120cm.

The Two Essential Knots

The Lark's Head Knot (Mounting Knot)

This is how you attach your cords to the dowel. Fold a cord in half, loop the folded end over the top of the dowel, then pull both loose ends through the loop and pull snug. Repeat across the full width of your dowel.

The Square Knot

This is the workhorse of macramé. Working with groups of 4 cords:

  1. Take the left outer cord and cross it over the two center cords, then under the right outer cord.
  2. Take the right outer cord, pass it under the center cords and up through the loop on the left.
  3. Pull both outer cords to tighten — this is half a square knot.
  4. Repeat the mirror image (right cord over center cords first) to complete a full square knot.

Basic Wall Hanging Pattern

  1. Mount your cords: Attach 10–14 cords using lark's head knots, evenly spaced across your dowel. You'll work with groups of 4.
  2. First row of square knots: Tie square knots across all cord groups.
  3. Alternating square knots: In the next row, skip the first 2 cords, then tie square knots with the next 4 cords. This creates a beautiful diamond lattice pattern.
  4. Repeat rows: Continue alternating for 4–6 rows to build up the body of your hanging.
  5. Add fringe: Leave the remaining cords loose. Trim to a V-shape, straight line, or diagonal for a decorative finish.
  6. Brush the fringe: Use a stiff comb or pet slicker brush to unravel and fluff the ends into soft, feathery fringe.

Styling Tips

  • Hang above a bed as a boho headboard feature.
  • Display in a reading nook or beside a window for a cozy, textural accent.
  • Make several small pieces in different sizes and group them as a gallery wall.
  • Add wooden beads or feathers to cords for extra interest.
  • Try colored cord for a modern twist on the classic neutral palette.

Macramé is wonderfully meditative — once you find the rhythm of the square knot, you'll find it hard to put down. Your first wall hanging might take an afternoon, but the result is a genuinely impressive piece of handmade home décor.