Macramé is the art of creating textiles by knotting string, cord, rope, yarn, or thread. By varying the sequence and type of knots, you can produce designs that are airy or dense, flat or sculptural, and functional or decorative.


Ancient Egyptians used macramé for ornamental fringes, and 9th-century BCE Assyrian stone friezes depict thick knotted borders. During the Middle Ages, Moorish artisans and returning crusaders introduced the technique to Spain and Italy. It then spread across Europe, reaching England in the late 17th century at the court of Mary II. Sailors also helped popularize macramé, crafting knotted items during long voyages and trading them in port cities worldwide. More recently, macramé flourished in the Victorian era and enjoyed a dramatic revival in the 1960s and ’70s. It has reemerged in contemporary fiber art today, valued for its simplicity, sustainability, and creative versatility.

Materials and Tools:

  • A base, such as a dowel, stick, tree branch, metal ring, or a knotting board/corkboard, to hold cords.
  • Macrame cord comes in a wide variety of materials, sizes, textures, and colors, for example, cotton twine, linen yarn, jute string, hemp cord, and yarn.
  • Pins to hold cords in place if using a knotting board. 
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape

Terminology:

  • A braided cord is made by interlacing three or more strands so that the strands cross over and under each other in a repeating sequence, forming a twisted pattern.
  • Cord is a general term for macrame material, including string, rope, thread, and yarn. 
  • Filler cords: Stationary cords that working cords are knotted around.
  • Fringe: Loose cord ends left at the bottom of a piece for decorative effect.
  • Half hitch: A basic knot where the working cord is passed around a filler cord and then through the loop it forms.
  • Half square knot (Spiral knot): A basic knot using four cords - two outer working cords and two inner filler cords. Working successive half square knots in a vertical column creates a spiral. 
  • Lark’s head knot: A basic knot used to attach cords to a dowel or ring, commonly used to start projects.
  • Overhand knot: A basic knot, used to keep cord ends from unraveling or to tie two or more cords together at the bottom of a piece.
  • Pattern: The sequence of knots to follow for a particular design.
  • Plyed cord is made from two, three, or more strands that are twisted together to form a single, thicker, and stronger line.
  • Rope: Several strands, yarns, or fibers twisted or braided together to form a single, thicker, and stronger line. 
  • Row: A horizontal row of knots.
  • Sinnet: A column of knots.
  • Square knot: A basic knot composed of two half-square knots, worked one after the other.
  • String: A thin, continuous single strand made from individual fibers twisted together. 
  • Working cord (Knotting cord): The cord you actively move and knot.

Process:

  • Cut your cord at least four times the length of your finished project for single cords or eight times the length of your finished project for cords that will be folded in half.
  • Attach your cords to a base with larks' head knots.
  • Follow your pattern to add knots to create your design.
  • Finish your project with a gathering knot, fringe, or weaving/tucking/glueing your ends on the back.

Variations:

  • Cavandoli: Worked entirely with double half hitches using two colors.
  • Chinese decorative knotwork is made from a single length of cord. The finished shapes are symmetrical in all directions and have symbolic meanings.
  • Macrame lace often features intricate patterns similar to traditional lace but with a distinct textural quality. 
  • Macraweave: Macrame combined with weaving. Generally, yarn, roving, or other fibers are woven through the open spaces in a macrame to add color, texture, and dimension.
  • Micro-macrame: Macrame with a very fine cord that often incorporates beads. It is used to create small, detailed items like jewelry. 

FAQ's:

  • What is the difference between rope, cord, and string? String is a thin single strand. Rope and cord have multiple strands, yarns, or fibers twisted or braided together to form a single, thicker, and stronger line. Rope is thicker and stronger than cord. (Note: This definition reflects the general meaning of the word “cord”, rather than the macrame-specific meaning defined above.)
  • How do macrame cord sizes work? Macrame cord is measured in millimeters (mm), with higher numbers equal to thicker cords:
  • 1-2.5mm cords are for delicate jewelry and micro-macrame.
  • 3-5mm cords are all-purpose cords useful for projects from plant hangers to wall hangings.
  • 5-10mm and thicker cords are for large projects and chunky effects.
  • How do I choose the right macrame cord? Follow your pattern recommendations, or choose based on your project's function, size, desired aesthetic, and whether it will be located indoors or outdoors. 
  • What factors affect the length of cords I need? The type of knots you use, how tightly you knot, and how knot-dense your project is. Cut your cords longer than you think you’ll need to allow for tassels, fringe, or if your estimates are a bit short.
  • What if I want to use a different cord thickness than my pattern recommends? Check out this Macrame Cord Size Conversion Chart to adjust the length of cord you’ll need. 
  • Can I add a new cord if I run out? Yes, there are several ways to do so, as shown in this video. 
  • How do I keep my knots even and tight? Practice! Consistent tension and pulling knots firmly but not too tightly will help keep your work uniform.
  • How do I clean macrame? Check out this great blog post. 
  • Are kumihimo and macrame the same thing? No. Kumihimo is a Japanese braiding technique, while macrame is a knotting technique.