Macrame knots for beginners: 5 easy basics + step‑by‑step videos

If you loved our macrame for beginners starter guide, you are ready for the next step. 

Now it is time to learn the actual knots that make macrame possible. And guess what? You only need three basic macrame knots to create ninety percent of all patterns out there, from simple keychains all the way up to beautiful wall hangings.

In this post, we walk you through those core three knots with clear explanations and practice tips, plus two extras. The best part? You can start practicing right now with household cord, no special purchases needed.

Want even more knots to practice? Create a free account on our membership platform and unlock the Beginner Roadmap + all our FREE knot video tutorials (including these five knots and more: purl stitch, friendship bracelet, snake knot, cross knot, braided soumak weave, and tons more!).

What Cord Should You Use for Practice?

You can practice these basic macrame knots with absolutely any cord you find around the house. Kitchen twine, garden rope, or even string from a package all work perfectly fine when you are just starting out.

Practice tips:

• Choose slightly tougher cord (wool cords are terrible for untying)
• Wrap scotch tape around fraying ends
• Ideal thickness is 3-5mm so you see knots clearly

Quick Setup

Tape a dowel or stick to your table. For 3-5mm cords, cut two pieces about 50cm or 20 inches long.

Start Macrame with the Lark’s Head Knot

The Lark's Head Knot is the most essential mounting knot in macrame, perfectly securing your cords to a dowel, branch, or ring at the start of any project while creating four working strands from just two folded pieces.

To make the basic version of the lark's head, follow the very first part of the video below.

• Fold one cord in half and place the loop in front of the dowel.
• Pull the loop down behind the dowel.
• Pass both loose ends through the loop.
• Gently pull the ends to tighten into a neat mount.

This technique is great for a start for wall hangings, plant hangers, and keychains.

Tie a Half Knot in Macrame

With your four strands already attached (like with the lark's head knot), the Half Knot forms the first half of the Square Knot. If done repeatedly, it creates those fun twisting braid patterns you see in macrame.

• Right working cord goes over the fillers and under the left working cord.
• Left working cord goes under the fillers and over the right working cord.
• Repeat to get the spiral twist effect.

This technique is great for adding texture and spiral patterns.

Make a Macrame Square Knot

With your four strands already attached (like with the Lark's Head knot), the Square Knot combines two Half Knots in opposite directions to create those flat, sturdy columns that form the backbone of many macrame projects.

• Right working cord goes over the fillers and under the left working cord.
• Left working cord goes under the fillers and over the right working cord.
• Now reverse direction and repeat for the second half:
  • Right working cord goes under the fillers and over the left working cord.
  • Left working cord goes over the fillers and under the right working cord.

This technique is great for plant hangers, bracelets, and flat panels. The video is above.

Macrame Clove Hitch: My Favorite Knot

Also called a cow hitch or double half hitch (quite a mouthful), this knot forms by making two half hitches around one straight filler cord that stays straight inside the rows.

For this knot you only need two cords: one becomes your straight filler cord held above the working cord.

• Loop the working cord once around the filler: bring it over and above the filler, then back down on the left side of itself. Tighten. This is your first half hitch.
• Make a second half hitch: working cord goes up over the filler and back down through the loop the first half hitch created.
• Tighten and keep the filler cord straight.

You can make this knot in the other direction too. The angle of your filler cord determines if your rows go horizontal or diagonal. You can also make vertical columns with this knot.

This technique is great for wall hangings and coasters.

Finish with a Macrame Gathering Knot

The Gathering Knot (sometimes called wrapping knot) pulls all your cords together neatly and can be added anywhere in a project, though you usually see it at the top or bottom of plant hangers.

How to tie step-by-step:

• Cut a separate wrapping cord and make a little fold in the short end.
• Wrap the long end around your bundle of filler cords, working toward that fold.
• Make at least 6 rounds, preferably more, so that your knot will be strong enough.
• Pass the long end through the loop.
• Pull the short fold end to lock everything inside the wrap. This secures your knot!
• Trim excess ends.

Voilà, you’ve got a pro finish! Works with any number of filler cords.

Practice & Next Steps

Congrats on making it all the way through! You now know all the basic macrame knots and it’s time to put them together! 

Sign up for a free account on our membership platform to unlock our Diamond keychain video tutorial. It's perfect for beginners and a great way to practice your Lark’s Head, Clove Hitch, and Square Knot.

P.S. Once you're in, feel free to DM me anytime if any questions arise, and send me photos of your projects! I would love to celebrate with you! 

Loved learning these knots?

Want even more knots to practice?

Create a free account on our membership platform and unlock the Beginner Roadmap + all our FREE knot video tutorials (including these five and knots like purl stitch, friendship bracelet, snake knot, cross knot, braided soumak weave, and tons more!).

Didn't catch the first post? Check out Macrame for Beginners Starter Guide here.

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