Discover the building blocks of macrame with this beginner-friendly guide to essential knots! I'll show you step-by-step how to tie a larks head knot, square knot, and gathering knot. Perfect for anyone just starting out or wanting to refresh their skills.
Welcome to the wonderful world of macrame! Whether you're just getting started or need a refresher, mastering the basics is key to creating beautiful pieces. In this post, I'll walk you through the essential knots that form the foundation of macrame -and trust me, they're easier than you think.
1. Lark's Head Knot
This is your go-to for attaching cord to dowels, rings, or even your workspace. Think of it as the gateway knot to every macrame project!
How-to: Fold your cord in half to find the middle point, lay it over and down behind your dowel, and pull the loose ends down through the loop. Pull tight. Ta-da!
2. Square Knot
The most versatile knot you'll ever meet. It's perfect for plant hangers, wall hangings, and more.
How-to: You'll need 4 hanging cords to tie this knot. Take the far right cord and lay it over the center two, and under the left cord. Next, take the left hanging cord and bring it under the two center cords and up over the far right cord. Pull tight! This is a half knot. You'll repeat these steps going the opposite direction to complete the square knot. Take the far left cord and lay it over the center two, and under the right cord. Next, take the right hanging cord and bring it under the two center cords and up over the far left cord. Pull tight!
3. Gathering Knot
This knot, sometimes referred to a wrap knot, is used to neatly secure multiple cords together while adding a polished, decorative touch to your projects.
How-to: Gather the cords you want to bundle together. Using a separate piece of cord, lay one end parallel to the cords you've bundled. The short end pointing up. Create a loop by bringing the other end back behind the bundled cords and to the right as shown in the second image below. Using this longer side, start wrapping it around the cords you've bundled by bringing it up over the top of the bundled cords, then under the bundled cords, and to the right. Continue wrapping it several times making sure each wrap lays under the previous one. Finally, bring the end of the cord through the exposed loop at the bottom. Pull on the short tail piece at the top, this will draw the loop (and the long cord you just tucked in) up into the wrapped section of the knot, securing it in place. Trim the excess cord from both ends for a neat finish.
Why Do These Knots Matter? These three knots are the building blocks of almost every macrame project. Once you have them down, you'll be able to tackle more advanced designs with confidence.
Practice makes progress! Take your time, enjoy the process, and soon these knots will feel like second nature. Ready to test your skills? Check out my beginner DIY macrame kits to put these knots into action!