Braids or plaits can form beautiful, interlocking patterns in your macramé projects. If you’re searching for a way to build interest, especially in a long column section, braids or plaits are a brilliant solution. They can be used for the hanger and columns of plant hangers, form two columns that come from each side and join together in the middle of wall hangings, or even style your gnome’s hair at Christmas time!
What are braids?
Traditionally used to style hair, braids have been around for millennia. Braids typically consist of three or more strands interlocked to form a vertical pattern.
Braid patterns have been known to indicate a person’s tribe, marital status, age, religion, and wealth.
What is the difference between braids and plaits?
The terms “braids” and “plaits” can actually be used interchangeably. They refer to the same type of hairstyle, however “braids” is the term used in American English and “plaits” is the term used in British English.
6 Macramé Braid Patterns
Below you’ll find instructions on how to create 6 different macramé braid patterns. These are by no means the only types of braid patterns that exist, but they are some of the most common patterns you’ll find in macramé projects.
Materials Needed
For the sake of this tutorial I used 5mm recycled cotton macramé cord in 1.2m lengths. Each length is folded in half and attached to the bar using a Lark’s head knot.
If you need a tutorial on how to tie a Lark’s head knot, one can be found in the blog post Basic Macramé Knots: The 5 Knots Beginners Need to Know.
1. Single cord braid:
I’ve changed this one up a little as it’s actually called a single strand braid, but I thought it looked prettier with 2 strands. Nevertheless, it still only uses one cord wrapped around itself (no need for a second, third or fourth cord to make this braid!)
- Start with one cord folded in half and attached to the bar using a Lark’s head knot.
- Take the two strands and bring them up to the right so a U-shape is formed.
- Cross the strands behind the top section of the cord.
- Bring the outer strands on the left over the front of the hanging cord. Make sure if you’re using two strands that you keep them facing forward as this creates a prettier braid.
- Bring the two outer strands on the right over the top of the hanging cord.
- Once again, bring the outer strands to the left over the front of the hanging cord.
- Bring the outer strands on the right over the top of the hanging cord. Continue bringing the outer strands on the left over the top of the hanging cords, then the outer strands on the right over the top of the hanging cords.
- Repeat steps 4 to 7 until there is only a small hole remaining in the bottom loop.
- Thread the ends of the cords down through the small hole to secure them.
- Pull the two strands to tighten.
- Finally, gently move the cord around to spread out the loose cord and even it out.
- You have created a single-cord braid!
Where would you use this braid? Let me know in the comments!
Watch the reel on how to create a single-cord braid.
2. Three-strand braid:
The three-strand braid (or plait!) is the most basic type of braid pattern.
If you have (or have ever had) long hair…or a kid with long hair…chances are you probably already know how to create this type of braid.
But here it is for those who don’t know, or those who need a refresher: 
- Start with a multiple of three cords. In this case I have three cords with two strands hanging down from each. Split the cords up into three sections (i.e. two strands in each section).
- Bring the cords on the left across and over the middle cords.
- Bring the cords on the right across and over the middle cords.
- Bring the cords on the left across and over the middle cords.
- Bring the cords on the right across and over the middle cords. Continue alternating bringing cords from the left and the right side over the middle cords until the desired length is reached.
- You have created a three-strand braid!
Easy peasy lemon squeezy. 
Watch the reel on how to create a three-strand braid.
3. Four-strand braid:
Use this if you want to incorporate a plait into the top loop of a plant hanger (or some other piece of work) that has multiples of four cords.
I wrote a blog post on How to Start a Macramé Plant Hanger without a Ring…but in the braid option I used multiples of three cords, which, depending on your plant hanger pattern, may not work.
So here is the tutorial for using four cords:
- Start with a multiple of four cords. In this case I have four cords with two strands hanging down from each. Split the cords up into four sections (i.e. two strands in each section).
- Cross the middle two strands.
- Take the cord on the left and bring it over one cord into the middle.
- There will be two cords protruding on the right-hand side. Take the outer cord and bring it over two cords into the middle.
- Take the cord on the left and bring it over one cord into the middle.
- Take the outer cord on the right and bring it over two cords into the middle.
- Repeat steps 3 to 6 until you reach the desired length.
- You have created a four-strand braid!
Watch the reel on how to create a four-strand braid.
4. Fishtail braid:
A fishtail braid looks a little different to the previous braids we’ve covered. The cords in the fishtail braid are divided into only two sections (instead of three) and one cord is taken from each side in turn.
- Separate the hanging cords into two even sections. In this case, I started with eight hanging cords and separated them so there were four cords on each side.
- Hold the sets of cords apart, then take the cord on the left and bring it over the left set of cords into the middle.
- Then take the cord on the right and bring it over the right set of cords into the middle.
- Take another cord from the left and bring it over the left set of cords into the middle.
- Take another cord from the right and bring it over the right set of cords into the middle. Repeat steps 2 to 5 until you reach the desired length.
- You have created a fishtail braid!
Watch the reel on how to create a fishtail braid.
5. Four-strand interlocking braid:
This braid also uses four cords like the four-strand braid mentioned earlier, but in this braid the cords form a different interlocking pattern.
- Start with a multiple of four cords hanging down. In this case I have four cords folded in half with two strands hanging down from each; eight hanging strands in total.
- Cross the second set of cords over the first set, and the fourth set of cords over the third set.
- Now take the new second set of cords (turquoise) and cross them over the third set (brown).
- Take the set of cords on the right (cream) and bring them over the third set of cords (turquoise) and down towards the left.
- Take the first set of cords (lavender) behind the second set (brown).
- Then bring that same set of cords (lavender) in front of the third set (cream).
- Take the set of cords on the right (turquoise) and bring them over the third set of cords (lavender) and down towards the left.
- Take the first set of cords (brown) behind the second set (cream).
- Then bring that same set of cords (brown) in front of the third set (turquoise). Repeat steps 4 to 6 until the desired length is reached.
- You have created a four-strand interlocking braid!
Watch the reel on how to create a four-strand interlocking braid.
6. Six-strand braid:
Finally, we have the six-strand braid. This braid has a similar look to the four-strand interlocking braid, but with an extra two hanging strands.
- Start with a multiple of six cords hanging down. In this case I have six cords folded in half with two strands hanging down from each; twelve hanging strands in total.
- Cross the second strand over the first strand, cross the fourth strand over the third strand, and cross the sixth strand over the fifth strand.
- Take the new fourth strand and bring it in front of the fifth strand and behind the sixth strand.
- Take the third strand and thread it behind the second strand.
- Bring the first strand around behind the second strand and in towards the middle.
- Take the fifth strand and weave it behind the fourth strand, in front of the third strand, and behind the second strand.
- Take the sixth strand and weave it in front of the fifth strand, behind the fourth strand, and in front of the third strand.
- Take the first strand and weave it behind the second strand and in front of the third strand.
- Take the sixth strand and weave it in front of the fifth strand, behind the fourth strand, and in front of the third strand.
- Repeat steps 9 and 10 until the desired length is reached.
Watch the reel on how to create a six-strand braid.
How to finish off the braids
Now that you know how to create six unique and eye-catching braids, you may be wondering how to finish them off.
While there are many ways to finish off, or secure, the braids, the two most common would be:
- Securing the ends with diagonal clove hitch knots meeting at a point in the centre, or
- Simply tying a wrap knot below the braid.
Conclusion
This brings us to the end of the tutorial on how to create six macramé braid patterns. Whether you have three, four, six, eight, or twelve hanging cords in your macrame project; there will be a braid that can be woven with them.
I can’t decide which is my favourite; the fishtail braid or the six-strand braid. Which do you prefer? Let me know in the comments!
