7 Essential Macrame Knots Every Beginner Should Learn (With Tutorials)
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Quick Answer
Start macrame with three beginner knots: Lark's Head Knot, Square Knot, and Half Knot. These are enough to create keychains, plant hangers, bracelets, and simple wall hangings.
Every finished macrame piece begins with one simple knot.
When we started teaching beginners, we noticed something simple: people often think macrame requires dozens of complicated knots. It doesn't. You really only need seven, and solid practice makes all the difference.
Start out with the Lark's Head, Square Knot and Half Knot. Those three cover the majority of beginner‑level projects. Add the other four covered below, and you'll build a sturdy skill set for countless handmade pieces.
These are the same knots we use when developing our own BUFANTL designs, from small keychain kits all the way up to large wall hangings. And most macrame patterns you'll see online are built on these knots.
Beginner Macrame Knots Overview
Before we dive into each knot, here's a quick reference:
| Knot | Difficulty | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Lark's Head | Easy | Starting projects, attaching cord to dowels |
| Anti-Lark's Head | Easy | Alternative starting method |
| Vertical Lark's Head | Easy-Medium | Vertical design elements |
| Half Knot | Easy | Spiral designs, plant hangers |
| Square Knot | Easy | Main patterns, most projects |
| Double Half Hitch (L→R) | Medium | Curves and diagonal shapes |
| Double Half Hitch (R→L) | Medium | Mirror designs, leaf patterns |
Watch the Complete Tutorial
Before diving into each knot step‑by‑step, check out our full video tutorial walking through all seven essential macrame knots.
Or scroll down to jump straight to individual knot instructions.
1. Lark's Head Knot
What it is: A simple loop used to attach cord onto a wooden dowel, metal ring or hoop. This is the opening knot for almost every macrame project.
Watch the Tutorial
What Beginners Use It For
- Securing cords to dowels for wall hangings
- Kicking off keychain makes
- Fastening cord to rings and hoops
How to Tie
- Fold your cord in half to form a loop.
- Slide the loop behind your dowel or ring.
- Feed the two loose cord ends through the loop.
- Pull all strands firmly to tighten the knot.
Common Beginner Mistake
From working with many new makers, uneven Lark's Head knots are the number‑one slip‑up. If your starting knots sit at different heights, your whole piece will end up lopsided. Spend an extra ten seconds lining everything up neatly; it saves so much frustration further into your work.
2. Anti‑Lark's Head Knot
What it is: The reversed version of the standard Lark's Head. It creates a distinct visual look and comes in handy when you want your knot facing the opposite direction.
Watch the Tutorial
What Beginners Use It For
- An alternative starting setup
- Creating unique texture and visual details
- Following patterns that specify reversed knot orientation
How to Tie
- Fold your cord in half.
- Position the loop in front of the dowel (opposite from the regular Lark's Head).
- Bring the loose ends behind the dowel and pass them through the loop.
- Pull tight to lock the knot in place.
Common Beginner Mistake
New crafters frequently mix‑up which side the loop should sit on for the anti‑Lark's Head. The core difference versus the standard knot is simply loop placement in front vs behind. Both variations are correct, they just serve different aesthetic purposes.
When to Use It
Reach for the anti‑Lark's Head when your design calls for the knot to sit on the opposite side of your cord, or whenever a written pattern specifically tells you to use this variation.
3. Vertical Lark's Head Knot (A Useful Variation)
What it is: Instead of a horizontal attachment, this variation fastens cord vertically. Ideal for building vertical design features or adding cords at a 90‑degree angle to your main working line.
Watch the Tutorial
What Beginners Use It For
- Building vertical design elements
- Attaching new cords perpendicular to your main cord line
- Adding vertical decorative texture to wall art
How to Tie
- Take your working cord and fold it vertically.
- Set the folded loop behind your anchor holding cord.
- Pull cord ends through the loop and tighten securely.
- You will end up with a vertically anchored connection point.
Common Beginner Mistake
Orientation trips most people up here. Many beginners try to rotate a regular Lark's Head to fake this effect, which results in messy, loose knots. The vertical Lark's Head has its own unique structure — it is not just a turned‑around standard knot. Watch the demo video and practise the movement a few times before using it inside an actual project.
Workshop Pro Tip
This knot is one of our favourites for adding depth and texture to wall hangings. Whenever we build designs with vertical detailing, this is our go‑to knot.
4. Half Knot (Half Hitch)
What it is: One half of a full Square Knot. Keep repeating the half knot in the exact same direction, and it forms that iconic twisted spiral macrame look.
Watch the Tutorial
What Beginners Use It For
- Creating beautiful spiral details
- Building plant hanger columns
- Decorative twisted cord sections
- Featured in many of our BUFANTL kit projects
How to Tie
- Lay your left working cord across the top of your two middle filler cords.
- Pass the right working cord underneath the filler cords.
- Thread the right cord end through the open loop made by the left cord.
- Pull to tighten.
- Repeat this same motion over and over to build a spiral.
Common Beginner Mistake
Lots of new makers mix up Half Knots and Square Knots. The rule is straightforward: keep repeating half knots in one direction = spiral. Alternate directions for every knot = flat square knot. If you want a clean spiral, stick to the same movement each time.
Important Note
A standalone repeating Half Knot creates spirals. To make a Square Knot, you must alternate side direction with every knot cycle, covered in the next section.
5. Square Knot
What it is: A neat, flat, symmetrical rectangular knot. This is the workhorse building block behind most macrame patterns.
Watch the Tutorial
What Beginners Use It For
- The foundation for nearly all macrame projects
- Wall hangings, keychains, friendship bracelets
- Core structure inside most of our kit designs
How to Tie
- First half: Left cord goes over filler cords, right cord goes underneath; feed right cord through the loop.
- Second half: Right cord crosses over filler cords, left cord goes underneath; feed left cord through the new loop.
- Tighten after finishing one full knot cycle.
Common Beginner Mistake
We remind our kit users about this constantly: don't over‑pull and crank your knots too tight. Let them settle naturally. If your square knots start twisting and spiralling instead of lying flat, you are doing two half‑knots in the same direction. Remember: left over, then right over — keep alternating.
Ready to Practice?
Want to practise these knots with a complete, ready‑to‑make beginner‑friendly project?
Every kit includes all supplies plus a physical printed tutorial you can follow along at your own pace.
Start your first macrame project →
6. Double Half Hitch (Left to Right)
What it is: This knot builds curved and diagonal lines within your work. Tied left‑to‑right, it shapes patterns flowing in that specific direction.
Watch the Tutorial
What Beginners Use It For
- Crafting soft curved shapes
- Diagonal pattern work
- Feather‑style macrame details
- Adding intricate accents to wall hangings
How to Tie
- Designate your left‑most cord as your fixed holding cord; keep it taut and steady.
- Take your next working cord and wrap two half‑hitches around the holding cord.
- The first wrap sits loose; pull the second wrap firmly into place.
- Repeat this process with all of your remaining working cords.
Common Beginner Mistake
Beginners frequently pick the wrong cord to act as the holding cord. Your holding cord stays straight and stationary, all other cords wrap around it. If your curves look messy and uneven, double‑check which cord you are wrapping around.
When to Use It
Use the left‑to‑right double half‑hitch whenever your pattern calls for curves and diagonals flowing from your left toward your right side.
7. Double Half Hitch (Right to Left)
What it is: The mirror counterpart to the previous knot. Working right‑to‑left generates curves flowing in the opposite direction.
Watch the Tutorial
What Beginners Use It For
- Mirror‑image symmetrical designs
- Balanced paired patterns
- Curves moving right to left
- Leaf and feather motif construction
How to Tie
- Assign your right‑most cord as your fixed holding cord, keep it pulled straight.
- Grab the next working cord and create two half‑hitches wrapped around the holding cord.
- Work your way across from right toward the left.
- Keep even, consistent tension across every wrap.
Common Beginner Mistake
Accidentally flipping direction mid‑pattern is the most frequent issue. If your design shape suddenly reverses, check which cord you are holding as your anchor. Consistency matters; once you start working right‑to‑left, stick with it unless your pattern tells you otherwise.
Workshop Pro Tip
Most feather and leaf macrame motifs combine both left‑to‑right and right‑to‑left double half hitches for perfect symmetry. When we design our wall hanging kits, we always include small practice sections for both directions.
What's Next?
Once you get comfortable with these seven knots, you hold the foundation for dozens of handmade macrame projects:
- Lark's Head variations: start almost any macrame piece
- Square Knot: main structural building block for most designs
- Half Knot: create gorgeous twisted spiral textures
- Double Half Hitch: add flowing curves and detailed ornamental features
For new learners, pick a small, achievable project to put these knots into practice. A keychain makes an ideal starting point. It uses the Lark's Head, Square Knot and often a gathering knot to finish off. You can complete it in one sitting, and you walk away with a tangible handmade item you are proud of.
Start Your First Macrame Project
Blog tutorials are fantastic for learning knot theory, but nothing beats having actual cord and supplies in your hands alongside printed instructions you can reference while you craft.
Start your first macrame project →
Each BUFANTL kit comes with:
- Every supply you will need to finish your project
- A physical printed step‑by‑step tutorial you can lay beside your workspace
- Classic patterns adapted and fully tested from a beginner's perspective
Frequently Asked Questions
Can beginners learn macrame?
Absolutely. Macrame is very approachable for total newbies. You only need a handful of basic knots to begin. Most first‑time makers start small with keychains or coasters before moving onto larger wall hangings and plant hangers.
What is the easiest macrame knot to learn?
The Lark's Head Knot. You can pick it up in under a minute and it is used to launch nearly every macrame project.
How long does it take to learn all these macrame knots?
You can grasp the foundational three knots (Lark's Head, Square Knot, Half Knot) within one casual afternoon. Building smooth confidence across all seven knots usually takes roughly one week of light, relaxed practise.
How many knots do you actually need for macrame?
You can get started making real projects with just three: Lark's Head, Square Knot and Half Knot. Those cover most beginner work. Add the remaining four knots when you want to explore more complex, decorative patterns.
Can I practise macrame knots without buying a kit?
Yes you can. That said, a kit gives you properly‑sized cord and clear instructions, which is the fastest path from just practising knots to finishing a complete usable handmade item.
What is the difference between a Half Knot and a Square Knot?
A Half Knot is one half of a full Square Knot. Repeating half‑knots on the same side creates spirals. Alternating sides for every knot creates a flat Square Knot.