Learn 17 Basic Macrame Knots (+ PDF Guide for Beginners!)

Learn how to do the basic macrame knots for beginners in this step by step guide!

When you’re first starting to learn macrame, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to do all the different types of macrame knots.

The five most important macrame knots for beginners to learn are the lark’s head knot, cow hitch knot, square knot, double half hitch knot, and the wrapping knot.

You can grab a free printable PDF of the 5 basic macrame knots – just sign up in the box below!

The guide includes step-by-step photos with written instructions for each of the most important basic macrame knots. You can make loads of different projects with those 5 knots alone!

After you master those basic knots, you’ll want to learn some intermediate knots like the berry knot, vertical double half hitch, and diagonal double half hitch.

This macrame knot guide will show you how to do 17 important macrame knots.

I’ve included a few videos, and also a step by step written guide with photos in this list of common knots to get you started off right!

Want to remember this? Post this List of Basic Macrame Knots to your favorite DIY Pinterest board!

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Lark’s Head Knot

The first knot we’re going to learn is the lark’s head knot. This is also called a mounting knot, because it’s frequently used to mount your cords on a dowel, branch, or whatever type of base you’re starting from.

To make a Lark’s Head Knot, take your rope and fold it in half. Then put the loop over and behind the dowel. Now, pull the ends of the rope through the loop and tighten.

This simple knot is frequently used to attach your cords to a dowel rod or metal hoops for macrame wall hangings.

Vertical Lark’s Head Knot

To tie a Vertical Larks Head Knot to the right, take the cord on the right and bend it in front of the left cord in an “L” shape. Then bring the end of the right cord behind and through the loop.

Hold the right cord in the shape of an “L” again, this time behind the left cord. Bring the end around in front of the cord and through the hole and tighten.

Related: Macrame for Beginners | The Ultimate Guide!

Cow Hitch Knot

The Cow Hitch Knot is done the same way as the Larks Head knot, except the folded end is brought up behind and over the dowel, so it’s facing the other way.

Square Knot

The square knot is one of the most important basic macrame knots you’ll learn. The two outside (working) cords will use a lot more cord than the filler cords, so plan accordingly.

Left Facing Square Knot

Here’s how to make a left facing square knot.

To make a Square Knot, you’ll need four cords. The ones on the left and right will be your working cords and the two in the center will be your filler cords.

Bend the left cord in front of the two middle filler cords in a “4” shape.

Then, bring the right cord in front of the left cord you just brought across, behind the filler cords and up through the loop you made in with the left cord. Pull the two working cords to tighten it up.

This is called a half knot.

To complete the square knot, you’ll make another half knot, but this time it’ll be reversed.

Take the right cord and bring it in front of the filler cords and under the left cord.

Then, bring the left cord behind the center cords and through the loop in the left cord and tighten.

This common macrame knot can be used for basic designs or to make beautiful patterns depending on how you place them in your projects.

Right Facing Square Knot

To make a right facing one, you do the same thing in reverse.

Bend the right cord in front of the two middle filler cords in a reverse “4” shape.

Then, bring the left cord in front of the right cord you just brought across, behind the filler cords and up through the loop you made in with the right cord. Pull the two working cords to tighten it up.

Now we have a half knot.

To complete the square knot, you’ll make another half knot, but this time it’ll be reversed.

Take the left cord and bring it in front of the filler cords and under the right cord.

Then, bring the right cord behind the center cords and through the loop in the right cord and tighten.

Alternating Square Knot

One of the most common patterns used for macrame designs is the alternating square knot mesh. You can make a super tiny version, like the example below, or make it as wide as you want just by adding more cords!

Alternating Square Knots are made by changing the cords you use in each row.

For the first row, you’ll make square knots as usual, starting on one side and working across to the other side.

Then for the second row, you’ll skip the first two cords and then start your square knots. You’ll work across and then skip the last two cords as well.

You’ll go back to the first pattern on the third row and repeat the second-row pattern for the fourth row, etc. This technique makes a lovely mesh pattern.

Half Knot Spiral

The half knot spiral is another very popular macrame technique. It’s a great way to add texture to your plant hangers, wall hangings, jewelry, and more!

A Half Knot Spiral is made by doing the first half of a square knot and repeating it for the next knot (and all the rest of the knots) instead of reversing it.

The direction of the spiral will depend on if you start on the right or left with your half knot. You’ll just want to make sure you stick to one direction, or it’ll turn into a square knot.

Right Facing Half Knot Spiral

Bend the left cord in front of the two middle filler cords in a “4” shape.

Then, bring the right cord in front of the left cord you just brought across, behind the filler cords and up through the loop you made in with the left cord. Pull the two working cords to tighten it up.

Keep repeating that and the knots will form a spiral that twists to the right.

Left Facing Half Knot Spiral

Bend the right cord in front of the two middle filler cords in a reverse “4” shape.

Then, bring the left cord in front of the right cord you just brought across, behind the filler cords and up through the loop you made in with the right cord. Pull the two working cords to tighten it up.

Keep repeating that and the knots will form a spiral that twists to the left.

Here’s an easy free key chain pattern that uses the half knot spiral!

Double Half Hitch Knot

The double half hitch knot (dhhk) is one of the most versatile knots in macrame. It’s also a knot that tends to give beginners a bit of trouble. Sometimes you’ll also see this knot called a clove hitch knot.

Don’t worry though, you can do this! Once you wrap your mind around what’s going on with this knot, you’ll see it’s actually simple. It just takes a minute to see what’s going on sometimes.

Click here to see this Double Half Hitch Knot video on YouTube.

To make the double half hitch knot, you’ll have one filler cord and several working cords.

In the example, I’m working from left to right. The technique is the same when going to the left, but reversed.

First, hold the filler cord out straight (in this case, the left cord.)

Take the first working cord, bring it up and wrap it around the filler cord.

Pull the end of the working cord through the loop made and pull it tight.

Slide the loop to wherever you want the knot to be. In this case, we’ll pull it all the way up by the dowel.

Repeat that process again the same way to tie the second part of the knot.

You’ve now made one double half hitch knot.

To make the next one, you’ll use the same filler cord, but use the next cord over as the working cord. Only do one double half hitch knot with each working cord.

Related: How to Tie the Double Half Hitch Knot (Ultimate Guide!)

Diagonal Double Half Hitch

The Diagonal Half Hitch Knot is done the same way as regular double half hitch knots, but the filler cord is held at the angle you want your row of knots to go.

Click here to see this Diagonal Double Half Hitch Knot video on YouTube.

Vertical Double Half Hitch

If you’ve ever seen one of those cool pixel macrame patterns, you’ve seen the vertical double half hitch knot in action.

This knot looks a little complicated, but it’s really not. It’s a great way to add color to your macrame pieces.

To start, you’ll need a separate piece of rope to use as your working cord (in the example, I’m using the orange cord to tie the vertical double half hitch knot.)

First, hold the working cord behind the first set of filler cords.

Bring the long end in front of and around the first set of filler cords and thread the end through the loop. Pull it tight and slide the knot to the end position.

Repeat that step again completing the first double half hitch knot.

For the next filler cords, bring the working cord behind them, wrap it around the front of the filler cords while holding the right side of the working cord to form a loop, and pull the end through the loop.

Then bring the working cord back in front of the filler cords, wrap it around and pull it through the loop.

Move onto the next set of filler cords and repeat until you get to the end of the row.

At the last set of filler cords, you’ll make the first half of the double half hitch knot like you have been, but then you’ll pull the end of the working cord to the left side behind the filler cord.

Then, bring the working cord in front of the filler cords from left to right, and pull it through the loop.

Continue the next row to the left, going under the filler cords and around for the first half of the knot and in front of and around for the second part.

I know this might seem confusing all written out, I would definitely recommend watching the video for this knot!

It’s easier than it sounds. You can make a beautiful piece with this technique!

Related: Macrame Market Bag // Tutorial + Video!

Half Hitch Spiral

The Half Hitch Spiral Knot is similar to the Half Knot Spiral, but it’s done with half hitches.

Just keep tying a half hitch knot over and over on the same filler cord and it will naturally form a spiral.

This is a common knot used in making friendship bracelets, and sometimes you’ll see it called the forward knot.

If you want to see this knot in action, check out the Chinese Ladder Bracelet pattern in this free tutorial.

Related: 3 Adjustable Hemp Macrame Friendship Bracelets (Tutorials & Video)

Berry Knot

To tie a Berry Knot, first you’ll need to tie three or four square knots. In this example, I started with three.

Now, take the two center cords and thread them up and through the center at the top of the first square knot.

Pull down to roll the berry knot up and then tie a half knot under the berry knot to secure it.

Related: DIY Macrame Glass Terrarium Hanger // Tutorial + Video!

Barrel Knot

To tie a Barrel Knot, first make a loop with your cord crossing the end in front like the first picture.

Then, wrap the end of the rope around and through the loop three times. It’ll look like the second picture.

Hold on to both ends and pull until it looks like the third picture.

Wrapping Knot

The wrapping knot (sometimes called a gathering knot) is a super useful technique for ending plant hangers, and any time you need to gather up some cords.

Click here to see this Wrapping Knot video on YouTube.

To tie a Wrapping Knot, you’ll need a spare piece of cord that’s a foot or so long (depending on how many wraps you plant to make and how thick of cord you’re using).

Make a “U” shape with one end of the piece of cord. Hold the “U” shaped cord against the filler cords (all the cords you’ll be wrapping around) with the short and long end of the cord facing up, and then bent “U” part facing down.

Begin wrapping around all of the cords (including the short end) with the long end of the wrapping cord. Each wrap will be under the previous wrap and be sure to keep them all snug together but not overlapping.

Once you’ve made 7 to 10 wraps (or however many you want), loop the wrapping cord through the loop made by the bottom of the “U”.

Pull the top cord sticking out of the wraps (short end of the working cord) to tighten the loop.

Keep pulling the top cord until the loop draws up into the wraps about halfway. You don’t want it to come up out of the top of the wraps.

Now you can trim the two ends of the wrapping cord and push the ends down into the wraps.

Overhand Knot

The Overhand Knot is a super basic knot that you probably already know how to tie. It’s commonly used for knotting all sorts of things!

You just make a loop and pull the ends through the loop. In the pictures above, the first one is made with two cords and the second one is made with one cord.

Easy peasy!

Constrictor Knot

The Constrictor Knot is a great knot for tying a hanging cord onto your finished macrame project. The knots blend right in with your other cords and makes a nice, seamless finish.

In the pictures below, I’m working on the back of my macrame piece, and it’s upside down. So upside down and backwards.

You’ll need a piece of cord to use as the hanger and the length will depend on how long your project is. The knots won’t take up too much cord.

Starting on the left side, hold the cord in front of the dowel with the short end facing up and to the right.

Wrap it over the dowel and around. The short side (that we’re working with) is going down and to the right, and the long side of the cord is on the left, under my left hand in this photo.

Wrap it around the dowel again, this time crossing over the first wrap to make an “X” and bringing the end up and over to the left.

Now, bring the short end of the cord in front of the long end from left to right.

Now, you’re going to push the short end under the middle of the “X” and through.

Pull both ends of the cord to tighten it and repeat this process with the other end of the cord on the other side of the dowel.

I usually cut the short ends down to about an inch or two once the hanger is tied on and glue them down on the back of the dowel so they don’t hang down.

In Summary

I hope you found this list of Basic Macrame Knots for Beginners helpful!

It’s a good mix of beginner and intermediate macrame knots, plus a few unique macrame knots thrown in for good measure.

You can create just about any macrame decor you can think of with this list of knots!

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Learn 17 Basic Macrame Knots (+ PDF Guide for Beginners!)