The square knot is the most common knot used in macrame and will be one of the first knots you’ll learn. It’s the perfect knot to learn as a beginner because, with a little practice, it’s fairly easy to master and it can be used to create many different patterns.
In fact, some macrame projects consist entirely of square knots! And there are countless projects that require only square knots and one or two other knots to complete. This post will remind you how to tie square knots and show how to create 6 square knot macrame patterns to help you create your own designs.
What is a square knot?
The square knot is the most common knot used in macramé. It involves two steps;
creating a half square knot, and then repeating the process the opposite way.
The square knot is one of the basic knots in macrame. Meaning that it’s one of the very first knots beginners learn and can be used as a building block to create many different knots and knot patterns.
How to create a macrame square knot:
- You will need 4 strands to work with to make a square knot. In this case, I used two lengths of cord folded in half and attached using Lark’s Head Knots.
- Take the cord on the left and bring it over the middle two (filler) cords, then under the cord on the right.
- Take the cord on the right and thread it under the two middle cords, then over the cord on the left so it comes out the loop created by the previous step.
- Pull these two working cords tight while keeping tension on the two middle (filler) cords.
- You have created a Half Square Knot. NOTE: In some projects you could keep creating these to form beautiful twisted spirals.
- Now take the cord on the right and bring it over the middle two (filler) cords, then under the cord on the left.
- Take the cord on the left and thread it under the two middle cords, then over the cord on the right so it comes out the loop created by the previous step.
- Pull these two working cords tight while keeping tension on the two middle (filler) cords. You have now created a Square Knot!
For more info on the basic macrame knots, read the blog post Basic Macrame Knots: The 5 Knots Beginners Need to Know
6 Easy Square Knot Macrame Patterns
Below you’ll find a picture of each of the six square knot macrame patterns with instructions on how to create each pattern. I’ve also included links to the corresponding reels on My Mum the Dreamers’ Facebook page so you can see the process in action.
Alternating square knot
Alternating square knots are a common pattern used in macrame projects. The pattern consists of multiple rows of square knots with each row of knots being tied in between the square knots above.
It’s a relatively easy pattern to master and can be used to make a thin pattern with only 2 rows of square knots, or the number of square knots in each row can be increased to make the pattern wider.
How to create an alternating square knot pattern:
1. Tie a row a square knots.
2. For the next row, tie the square knots in between those in the first row i.e., use the 2 closest cords from each square knot above to tie the new square knot.
3. Repeat.
Increasing square knot
The increasing square knot pattern begins with a single square knot. It then increases by one square knot each row until the pattern is as wide as you desire.
How to create an increasing square knot pattern:
1. Find the middle four cords and tie one square knot with them in the top row.
2. Gather another two cords each side. Tie another row of square knots either side of the knot in the row above. (Each knot will use two cords from the square knot above and two new cords from further out.)
3. Gather another two cords each side. Tie another row of square knots either side of each knot in the row above.
4. Continue gathering another two cords each side until you finish with a full row of square knots across the bottom row.
*Each row should have one more square knot than the row above. ?
Decreasing square knot
The decreasing square knot pattern is the opposite to the increasing square knot pattern. It begins with the largest number of square knots in a row and then decreases by one square knot each row until the final row of a single square knot is tied.
How to create a decreasing square knot pattern:
1. Tie a full row of square knots (in this case three) along the top row.
2. Leave two cords each side. Tie another row of square knots in between each knot in the row above.
3. Leave another two cords each side, so a total of four each side for this row. Tie another row of square knots in between each knot in the row above.
4. Continue leaving another two cords each side until you finish with a single square knot at the point. In this case I only used a small number of cords, so I tied the final single square knot in row 3.
*Each row should have one less square knot than the row above. ?
Square knot picots
Square knot picots are loops created by tying the square knots further down the hanging cords and sliding the knot upwards.
How to tie square knot picots (loops):
1. Tie a normal square knot.
2. Drop down a few centimetres and tie another square knot.
3. Holding onto the filler (middle) cords, push the second square knot up towards the first.
4. Fix any wayward loops by pulling them outwards or to the front (depending on the design).
Want to try this technique on a project? My ruffled square wall hanging uses this knotting technique.
Berry knot
While technically the berry knot is a knot on its own, I’ve included it in this post because it’s created using square knots.
How to tie a berry knot:
1. Leaving a small gap at the top, tie 3 square knots in a vertical column (sinnet).
2. Take the 2 filler cords (the cords in the middle) and thread them through the hole just above the first square knot.
3. Pull the 2 filler cords all the way through until the square knots form a ball or berry shape.
4. Secure the knot by tying one final square knot.
Half square knot spiral
The half square knot spiral is created by repeating only the first half of a square knot. I felt it was still relevant to this post as it’s still a macrame knot pattern you can make using only knowledge of how to tie a square knot.
How to create a half square knot spiral in macrame:
1. Take the cord on the left and bring it over the middle two (filler) cords, then under the cord on the right.
2. Take the cord on the right and thread it under the two middle cords, then over the cord on the left so it comes out the loop created by the previous step.
3. Pull these two working cords tight while keeping tension on the two middle (filler) cords. You’ve now created a half square knot.
4. Keep creating these to form beautiful, twisted spirals. Remember to always start with the cord on the left.
Conclusion
One of the brilliant things about macrame is that once you’ve learned a few basic knots, you can really stretch your artistic muscles. I hope you’ve learned from this blog post that knowing how to tie a square knot gives you the foundation to create so many different patterns.
I’ve included a link to each reel I’ve posted on Facebook demonstrating how to create the knot patterns above. If you haven’t already, check out my Facebook page and click “follow” to make sure you don’t miss any of the free info and tips I give.