Why Macramé Is the Perfect DIY Décor Project

Macramé has made a major comeback in recent years — and for good reason. It's affordable, requires minimal tools, and produces stunning statement pieces that would cost significantly more to buy. A handmade macramé wall hanging adds warmth and texture to any room, and making it yourself means it's completely unique to your home.

What You'll Need

  • Approximately 40–50 metres of 3mm natural cotton macramé cord
  • A wooden dowel rod (30–40cm wide)
  • A pair of sharp scissors
  • A comb or stiff brush (for fringing)
  • A tape measure
  • Optional: beads, feathers, or dyed cord for embellishment

Natural cotton cord is the easiest to work with for beginners and gives that classic, bohemian look. You can find it at craft shops or online for a very reasonable price.

Preparing Your Cords

Cut your cord into lengths of approximately 2 metres each. You'll need around 20 pieces for a medium-sized hanging. Fold each piece in half and attach them to the dowel using a lark's head knot: fold the cord in half, loop it over the dowel, and pull both ends through the loop. Pull firmly to secure. Repeat until all cords are attached.

The Two Essential Knots

The Square Knot

The square knot is the foundation of most macramé projects. Here's how to tie it:

  1. Take four cords — the two inner cords are your "filler cords" and remain passive.
  2. Cross the left working cord over the filler cords and under the right cord.
  3. Pull the right cord under the filler cords and up through the left loop.
  4. Pull both working cords to tighten — this is a half square knot.
  5. Repeat the same motion from the opposite side to complete a full square knot.

The Spiral (Half Square) Knot

By repeating only the first half of the square knot and always starting from the same side, the cords will naturally twist into a beautiful spiral. This is great for creating visual variety in your hanging.

Building Your Design

A simple but effective beginner design looks like this:

  1. Work a row of square knots across the full width of your hanging.
  2. Leave a gap of 3–4cm, then offset the next row (pair the right two cords of one group with the left two cords of the adjacent group).
  3. Repeat this alternating pattern for 3–4 rows to create a diamond net effect.
  4. Add a row of spiral knots below for texture contrast.
  5. Leave the remaining cord loose for a fringe effect.

Finishing Your Hanging

Once you're happy with the design, trim the bottom fringe to your desired length. For a clean, straight edge use scissors and a ruler. For a more organic boho look, cut at a slight angle or in a V-shape. Use your comb or brush to gently unravel the bottom of each cord for a fluffy, textured fringe.

Tie a length of cord to each end of the dowel to create a hanger, and your piece is ready to display.

Tips for Success

  • Work on a foam board pinned to a wall — it's much easier than holding everything up as you go.
  • Keep your knots consistent in tension for a neat, even finish.
  • Don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't perfect — macramé improves rapidly with practice.
  • Try dyeing sections of your cord with natural dyes for an ombré effect.