Basic Macramé Knots: The 5 Knots Beginners Need to Know

Depending on who you ask, you will get different answers regarding which are the basic macramé knots. The basic macramé knots you need to know really depend on which projects you want to complete first, and obviously don’t include the more complicated knots. Then there are the slight variations to some knots that some include as separate knots, while others file them under the same knot.

Below is my list of the 5 basic macramé knots beginners need to know. Once you master these 5 basic knots, you’ll be able to create endless amounts of projects even if you never learned another knot again! But, of course, I’m sure that after a while your mind will become eager to learn more complex knots to create new unique and interesting pieces as your skills progress.

What are the basic macramé knots?

Basic macramé knots are a few simple knots that can be used to create many different macramé projects. You may find slightly different lists of knots depending on who you ask, but the bones of the lists will be the same.

The 5 basic macramé knots I learned during my first projects are the Lark’s Head knot, Reverse Lark’s Head knot, Square knot, Clove Hitch knot, and Wrap knot.

Why is it important to learn the basic macramé knots?

One of the things I love about macramé is that you can learn it on the go. Does this mean that you can learn it on the bus to work in the morning? Well, yes…but that’s not actually what I mean.

What I mean is that there’s no need to spend hours practicing and perfecting the basic macramé knots, because you can just jump into your first project and learn as you go. Of course, it will be easier if the first project you choose is at a beginner level. But, one of the brilliant things about macramé is that you can always untie your knots if you make a mistake.

Most beginner projects include only a handful of simple knots. It’s important to learn these few simple knots, because this will enable you to create an almost endless amount of projects with the only limit being your imagination.

How to get started as a beginner

There’s not much you need to get started with macramé. As long as you have macramé cord and any other accessories required for the project you want to create, you can generally just make do with things you already have around the house when first starting out.

Read The Beginner’s Guide to Macramé to learn about which macramé cord is best for beginners.

To start your first macramé project, you will need:

• Macramé cord
• Any accessories needed for your project i.e. wooden ring, dowel, etc.
• Scissors
• Metal rule or measuring tape
• Sticky tape
• Pet brush or comb – any comb you can find around the house will work

Depending on what your first project is, it might be handy to have some S-hooks to hang it from while you work. But you can get away with either taping your project to your work surface or using extra cord to hang it from a doorknob, towel rail, clothes rack, or some other secure point.

I have included a list of some easy macramé projects for beginners towards the end of this post.

The 5 basic macramé knots step by step instructions

Here is my list of the 5 basic macramé knots you can learn while creating your first few projects. I’ve included in-depth instructions and photos on how to tie each knot.

You might find it helpful to print out a copy of my Basic Macramé Knot Cheat Sheet to refer to during these first few projects when you need a reminder of how to tie each knot. This will save you from having to stop and re-read or re-watch more in-depth instructions and get your project finished sooner!

You will need to be aware of the following terminology for the instructions to make sense:

Filler cord/s: The cord/s that knots are tied around. i.e. filler cords can be found inside square knots and clove hitch knots.
Working cord/s: The cord/s actively used to tie the knots in a macramé project.

Knot 1: Lark’s Head Knot

The Lark’s Head Knot is the knot often used to attach all of the cords to the dowel or ring at the beginning of a project.

1. Fold your length of cord in half and place the folded end downwards behind the back of your dowel or ring.
2. Bring the trailing ends over to the front of the dowel or ring and thread them through the loop.
3. Pull the cord downwards to tighten. You have now created a Lark’s Head Knot!

NOTE: Ensure you can see the cord crossing over the two cords at the front. The reverse of this (cord crossing over two cords at the back) is known as a Cow Hitch Knot or a Reverse Lark’s Head Knot.

Knot 2: Reverse Lark’s Head Knot (aka Cow Hitch Knot)

The Reverse Lark’s Head knot can be used to attach extra cords further down in
macramé projects.

1. Fold your length of cord in half and place the folded end upwards behind the back of your dowel or ring.
2. Bring the loop over the top of the dowel or ring and thread the trailing ends through the loop.
3. Pull the cord downwards to tighten. You have now created a Reverse Lark’s Head Knot!

NOTE: Ensure you can’t see the cord crossing over the two cords at the front, otherwise you may have inadvertently tied a normal Lark’s Head Knot.

Knot 3: 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.

1. 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.
2. Take the cord on the left and bring it over the middle two (filler) cords, then under the cord on the right.
3. 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.
4. Pull these two working cords tight while keeping tension on the two middle (filler) cords.
5. You have created a Half Square Knot. NOTE: In some projects you could keep creating these to form beautiful twisted spirals.
6. Now take the cord on the right and bring it over the middle two (filler) cords, then under the cord on the left.
7. 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.
8. Pull these two working cords tight while keeping tension on the two middle (filler) cords. You have now created a Square Knot!

Knot 4: Clove Hitch Knot

The Clove Hitch Knot (also known as a Double Half Hitch Knot) can be tied both
diagonally and horizontally, from either side. Here I demonstrate how to tie a diagonal clove hitch knot from both the left-hand-side and the right-hand-side.

Starting from left side

1. You will need a minimum of two strands, up to any number you like to make a clove hitch knot. In this case, I used four lengths of cord folded in half and attached using Lark’s Head Knots.
2. Keep the filler cord (outer cord on the left) in your right hand and hold it diagonally over the front of all the working cords. You should always keep hold of this cord in your right hand and keep it straight while you’re working.
3. Take the first working cord (second cord in from the left) and bring it out under the filler cord, then place it over the filler cord to resemble a “4.”
4. Loop the end around the filler cord and bring it through the hole created.
5. Pull the working cord tight, while keeping the filler cord straight.
6. Continuing with the same working cord, tie another identical knot. Place it over the filler cord to resemble a “4.” Then loop the end around the filler cord and through the hole created.
7. Pull the working cord tight, while keeping the filler cord straight. You have now completed one Clove Hitch Knot! PRO TIP: If you have any strange-looking knots at this point, simply pull the filler cord tighter to make sure it’s straight – this should sort out any issues with the knots.
8. Continue this process (steps 3 – 6) with the next working cord in (third cord in from the left). Bring it out under the filler cord, then place it over the filler cord to resemble a “4.” Then loop the end around the filler cord and bring it through the hole created. (x2)
9. Pull the working cord tight, while keeping the filler cord straight. Continue this process with the next working cord in (fourth cord in from the left) and so on. *Remember the tip to pull the filler cord tighter to sort out any strange-looking knots!

Starting from right side

I’ve included instructions and photos starting from both sides because I know a lot of people struggle with this when first starting out. I know I found it confusing working out which cords went over and under and what direction to loop the working cords on each side.

1. Again, you will need a minimum of two strands, up to any number you like to make a clove hitch knot. In this case, I used four lengths of cord folded in half and attached using Lark’s Head Knots.
2. This time keep the filler cord (outer cord on the right) in your left hand and hold it diagonally over the front of all the working cords. You should always keep hold of this cord in your left hand and keep it straight while you’re working.
3. Take the first working cord (second cord in from the right) and bring it out under the filler cord, then place it over the filler cord to resemble a backwards “4.”
4. Loop the end around the filler cord and bring it through the hole created.
5. Pull the working cord tight, while keeping the filler cord straight.
6. Continuing with the same working cord, tie another identical knot. Place it over the filler cord to resemble a backwards “4.” Then loop the end around the filler cord and through the hole created.
7. Pull the working cord tight, while keeping the filler cord straight. You have now completed one Clove Hitch Knot! PRO TIP: If you have any strange-looking knots at this point, simply pull the filler cord tighter to make sure it’s straight – this should sort out any issues with the knots.
8. Continue this process (steps 3 – 6) with the next working cord in (third cord in from the right). Bring it out under the filler cord, then place it over the filler cord to resemble a backwards “4.” Then loop the end around the filler cord and bring it through the hole created. (x2)
9. Pull the working cord tight, while keeping the filler cord straight. Continue this process with the next working cord in (fourth cord in from the right) and so on. *Remember the tip to pull the filler cord tighter to sort out any strange-looking knots!

Knot 5: Wrap Knot

The Wrap Knot is used to gather the cords neatly together, often at the top of a project
just below a wooden ring, or at the base of a piece to finish it off.

1. Begin by draping the cords (as many as you require) over the ring or dowel so the middle of each cord is resting on the ring or dowel. If you’re tying a wrap knot further down your project, you can use any cords hanging in a group.
2. Cut a cord for wrapping (generally 60cm – 1m long, but it can be shorter or longer depending on the width of the cord and the size of your project). Place one end of the cord just above the area you want to wrap, then loop the cord down and up to make a U shape. Finally, cross the cord over the first end to the left. PRO TIP: Start the wrap knot at the back of your piece so any cuts or imperfections are hidden.
3. Start wrapping the cord around the gathered cords and keep it as tight as you can. Each time you wrap the cord, check it’s sitting neatly below the previous wrap. Keep going until you reach your desired length (usually 5—8 wraps on medium to large pieces, but can be less on smaller pieces).
4. Thread the cord through the loop at the bottom. It doesn’t matter which direction you thread the cord, as long as it goes through the loop.
5. Keep tension on the cord threaded through the loop while you pull the tail at the top upwards. Keep pulling the tail upwards until the loop pulls the other end of the cord underneath the wraps.
6. Cut each end of the cord as close to the wrap as possible so the ends are somewhat hidden. Then apply a small amount of hot glue or fabric glue to the cut ends to keep them neat and ensure everything stays in place.
7. Turn your macramé piece around to the front so any tiny visible cuts are hidden at the back. You have now created a Wrap Knot!

Easy macramé projects for beginners

These 3 projects are perfect for beginners as they provide opportunities to practice and master the 5 basic macrame knots, while creating some items you can be proud of!

Fruit hanger – create this to practice and master square knots and wrap knots

Plant hanger – many libraries stock this book. Creating the short plant hanger (on the left of the cover) will enable more practice tying wrap knots, square knots and a chance to practice tying half square knots to create beautiful spirals.

Macrame coasters – create these to practice and master clove hitch knots and reverse Lark’s Head knots.

Frequently Asked Questions

The last thing you need to know about the basic knots of macramé

The 5 basic knots are a great place to start if you’re just beginning your macramé journey. Use the suggestions above for 3 easy macramé projects for beginners and not only will you have a chance to practice and master the 5 basic knots, you’ll also have created 3 beautiful and useful macramé home decor items!

Leave a comment below if you’ve tried any of the projects I suggested for beginners and let me know how it turned out.