So, you’ve mastered the basic macrame knots and are now wondering how to neatly finish off your project… In this post you’ll find six macrame finishing knots that you can use to neatly tie off the end of a cord or project. Another benefit of using these knots is that they prevent the cords from fraying or unravelling further than the point where you tie them.
Of course, these knots can also be used in other parts of projects to gather cords or add a decorative touch, but for the sake of this post we’re just focusing on how to finish off a cord or design neatly.
What are macrame finishing knots?
Macrame finishing knots are the knots that can be used to neatly tie off the end of a cord or a project and prevent any of the cords from fraying or unravelling. They can also be referred to as stopper knots or end knots.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of finishing knots, but the six I’ve given look good and are fairly easy to master. Learning these six knots will give you enough skill to finish most designs you would create as a beginner or intermediate macrame artist.
If you’re a complete beginner and haven’t already read my post on the Basic Macrame Knots: The 5 Knots Beginners Need to Know, I recommend you start with that.
6 Macrame Finishing Knots and How to Tie Them
Below you’ll find a picture of each of the six macrame finishing knots with instructions on how to create each knot. I’ve also included links to the corresponding reels on My Mum the Dreamers’ Facebook page so you can see the process in action.
Leaf knot
The leaf knot is a beautiful way to finish off the end of a cord and probably my favourite knot out of the six macrame finishing knots here. The design created by alternating the cords from each side resembles the shape of a leaf.
How to tie a leaf knot in macrame:
1. Loop the loose end of the cord to the left, then up and over the top of itself (to the right). Ensure you leave a enough cord to complete the knot.
2. Wrap the loose end of the cord around to the back of the right side and thread it through the middle of the loop, bringing it out towards the front.
3. Then wrap the loose end of the cord around the back to the left side and thread it through the middle of the loop, bringing it out towards the front.
4. Continue this pattern wrapping around the left, then the right, until you reach the desired look. Keep the wrapped cord quite tight during this process so the finishing knot holds together firmly.
5. Bring the loose end of the cord out towards the front for the final time, then slide the “leaf” shape down until it all tightens.
6. Cut the excess cord.
7. Apply a little glue to the end of the cut cord to stop it from fraying and keep it firmly in place.
Barrel knot
The barrel knot can be created using 3 wraps, or more wraps can be added to create an extended barrel knot. It can be used as a finishing knot, or two sliding barrel knots can make macrame bracelets and necklaces adjustable.
How to tie a barrel knot in macrame:
1. Loop the loose end of the cord to the left, then up and behind itself (to the right). Ensure you leave enough cord to complete the knot.
2. Bring the loose end of the cord around to the front and thread it through the middle of the loop, pulling it through to the back.
3. Continue this process of wrapping the cord around until you have 3-4 wraps (or 5+ if you’re game!) Make sure the wraps are quite loose as otherwise the next step won’t work.
4. Gently pull the loose end downwards. Help the cords form into the barrel knot by “jiggling” or massaging them with your fingers a little. Keep gently pulling downwards (you can also pull upwards on the cord just above the knot) and moving the cords in the knot with your fingers until they settle into a neat barrel shape.
5. When you’re happy with the barrel shape you’ve created, give the cords a firmer tug to ensure the barrel knot is secure.
6. Cut the excess cord below the knot (unless you’re using the knot as a decorative knot mid-way through your piece!)
7. Apply a little glue to the end of the cut cord to stop it from fraying and keep it firmly in place.
**DON’T DO THIS: Ensure you don’t make the wraps too tight as this will mean the cords aren’t able to move into the barrel shape when you pull the loose end downwards. If the wraps are too tight you’ll end up with a cord visible at the back running down the entire length of the knot ?
Figure 8 knot
As you can probably guess, the figure 8 knot resembles the shape of an eight. This is a fairly quick knot to tie and a decorative way to finish off the end of a cord and also stop the cord from unravelling.
How to tie a figure 8 knot in macrame:
1. Loop the loose end of the cord to the right, then up and cross over itself (to the left).
2. Take the loose end behind the hanging cord and bring it out to the front on the right side.
3. Thread the loose end down through the loop created.
4. Slide the knot downwards and pull to tighten.
5. Cut the excess cord below the knot (unless you’re using the knot as a decorative knot mid-way through your piece!)
7. Apply a little glue to the end of the cut cord to stop it from fraying and keep it firmly in place.
Heaving line knot
The purpose of a heaving line knot is to add weight to the end of a rope to make it easier to throw (or heave ?). In macrame, it’s used as a decorative way to finish off the end of a cord and also stop the cord from unravelling
How to tie a heaving line knot in macrame:
1. Loop the loose end of the cord to the left, then up and over itself (to the right). Ensure you leave a enough cord to complete the knot.
2. Wrap the loose end of the cord around the back then over the front so you pull the two sides of the loop together.
3. Continue this process of wrapping the cord around until you have the number of wraps you desire.
4. To finish off the knot, thread the loose end of the cord through the loop just below the wrapped section.
5. Cut the excess cord below the knot (unless you’re using the knot as a decorative knot mid-way through your piece!)
6. Apply a little glue to the end of the cut cord to stop it from fraying and keep it firmly in place.
Overhand knot
The overhand knot is the most well-known knot. When you first learned how to tie a knot as a child, the overhand knot would be the one you learned!
Although often not included in macrame knot lists, the overhand knot is helpful to know. It’s mainly used to tie off the ends of the cords to prevent them from unravelling, but can also have other uses in macrame such as providing a starting anchor for a cord.
Getting back to basics with how to tie an overhand knot in macrame:
1. Form a loop by crossing the ends of the cords.
2. Bring one end of the cord up and thread it down through the loop created.
3. Pull to tighten.
Wrap knot
While the wrap knot is often used at the top of projects to gather the cords neatly together just below a ring or loop, it can also be used at the base of a piece to finish it off. Think macrame plant hangers – the wrap knot is often the final knot used to gather all of the cords together underneath the pot and hold it in place.
Read the blog post Basic Macrame Knots: The 5 Knots Beginners Need to Know to see step-by-step photographs showing how to tie a wrap knot.
How to tie a wrap knot in macrame:
1. Cut a cord for wrapping (generally 750mm – 1m long for 5mm cord, but it can be shorter or longer depending on the width of the cord and the size of your project).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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).
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Turn your macramé piece around to the front so any tiny visible cuts are hidden at the back.
Conclusion
Now you should have the knowledge to finish your own macrame designs neatly and beautifully. Or, put your own unique twist on a pattern you’ve followed by changing out the finishing knots with your favourite from the six given!
I’ve included a link to each reel I’ve posted on Facebook demonstrating how to create the finishing knots 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.