The world of DIY is as vast and diverse as our imaginations allow, and among the myriad of creative projects, macrame wall hangings hold a special place. They add a bohemian touch and intricate beauty to any decor, embodying a delightful fusion of style and craftsmanship.

But why should you consider creating your own DIY macrame wall hanging, and how should you get started? This comprehensive guide will take you through all you need to know about crafting your first macrame masterpiece.

Why make your own DIY macrame wall hanging?

While macrame wall hangings can undoubtedly be purchased from various sources, the true joy and satisfaction lie in creating your very own piece. This hands-on journey into the realm of DIY macrame wall hangings is not merely a creative endeavor, but a therapeutic one that offers manifold benefits.

Personal Expression through Art

Embarking on the path of crafting a DIY macrame wall hanging is an opportunity to express your unique style and artistic flair. Each knot you tie, each design decision you make, imbues the piece with a piece of your personality. These personalized creations are a testament to your individuality, adding a distinctive touch to your home decor that mass-produced pieces simply can’t compete with.

A Rewarding and Economical Endeavor

DIY macrame wall hangings are an economically smart choice. While the initial cost of materials might seem equivalent to a finished piece, consider the endless creations one set of supplies can generate. Plus, there’s an undeniable fulfillment in seeing a beautiful macrame piece hanging on your wall, knowing it’s the fruit of your own effort and creativity.

Kinetic Meditation: A Path to Well-being

The process of crafting macrame echoes the benefits of knitting or crocheting. It’s a form of kinetic meditation, a movement-based mindfulness practice that helps release stress and improve focus. As you get into the rhythm of tying macrame knots, you’ll find the process becomes second nature. This allows your body to stay occupied, channeling any restless or anxious energy into your hands, while your mind can relax and disengage from the worries of the day.

The Joy of Learning and Preserving Tradition

DIY macrame is more than just crafting; it’s a gateway to a skill passed down through generations. As you learn and master this craft, you become a part of a lineage of artisans, preserving and furthering a beautiful tradition in a modern context.

What Materials Do You Need for Macrame?

Embarking on a DIY macrame wall hanging project requires careful selection of the right materials. Here’s a quick overview of the necessary items you’ll need and why each is crucial in the creation process:

Macrame Cord: This is the backbone of your project. A popular choice among crafters is a 100% plied cotton rope, prized for its softness, flexibility, and ease of knotting. A cord with a 4mm diameter is often preferred for its versatility.
Scissors: Precision is key in macrame. A sharp, robust pair of scissors is critical for making clean, fray-free cuts in your macrame cord.
Dowel or Stick: Your macrame creation will hang from this base. Whether you choose a wooden dowel, metal rod, or a piece of driftwood, this component adds an extra dimension of style to your piece.
Tape Measure: Given that macrame thrives on exactness, a reliable tape measure is essential for ensuring the uniformity of your cord lengths and knots.
Plant Pot (For Macrame Plant Hangers):If you’re making a macrame plant hanger, a suitable plant pot is necessary. A terracotta pot around 4.5″ tall and 5″ wide is an ideal size to start with.
Painter’s or Masking Tape: Useful for preventing cord ends from fraying.
Wooden or Metal Ring: Can provide an elegant hanging solution for plant hanger designs.
Rolling Rack or Sturdy Rail: Serves as a workspace where you can hang your macrame project as you work.

How long does it take to make a macrame project?

The time commitment for creating a macrame wall hanging can significantly vary, mainly depending on the complexity of the design and your level of experience with macrame knotting techniques. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:

Small Macrame Projects: Simple designs such as a macrame plant hanger or a small wall hanging can often be completed in as little as one to two hours. These projects are perfect for beginners and those looking for a quick crafting session.
Intricate Wall Hangings: For larger and more complex macrame wall hangings, be prepared to dedicate several hours to your project. The process involves careful knotting and planning, which could extend over four or more hours.
Advanced Designs: As you explore more intricate patterns and elaborate designs, the time investment can substantially increase. These projects may spread across several days or even weeks, given you take breaks in between to rest your hands and back.

5 Basic Macrame Knots to Learn

The intricacy and beauty of macrame artistry lie in its knots. Various knots, tied in different sequences and arrangements, create complex patterns and designs that make each macrame piece unique. To become proficient in macrame, it’s crucial to learn and master the basic knots.

Knot 1: The Lark’s Head

The Lark’s Head is often the starting point in many macrame projects, and it’s commonly used to attach a cord to a dowel or a ring. Follow the steps below to create a Lark’s Head knot:

Start by folding your cord in half. This action creates a loop at the midpoint of the cord.
Next, place the loop over your stick (or whatever you are attaching the cord to), ensuring the two ends (or ‘tails’) of the cord hang at the front while the loop lies at the back of the stick.
Now, pass the two tails through the loop at the back of the stick.
Pull the tails downwards, tightening the knot until it is secure against the stick.

Knot 2: The Square Knot

The square knot is one of the most essential macrame knots. It’s simple, versatile, and forms the backbone for various patterns in macrame designs. Here’s how you can create a square knot:

Start with four strands of cord attached side by side using the Lark’s Head knot. Out of these, the two outer strands will be active in creating the knot, while the two middle strands act as the base or the ‘core’ of your knot.
First, create a ‘4’ shape with the left outer strand (let’s call this Strand A). This means Strand A goes over the two middle base strands and under the far right strand (Strand B).
Next, take Strand B. Keeping it above the tail of Strand A, guide it behind the two base strands and through the ‘4’ shaped loop that Strand A created.
Pull both Strand A and Strand B tight to complete the first half of your square knot.
For the second half, you’ll be mirroring what you did before. Make a reverse ‘4’ with Strand B, going over the two middle base strands and under Strand A.
Take Strand A, and while keeping it over the tail of Strand B, guide it behind the two base strands and through the reverse ‘4’ loop created by Strand B.
Pull both Strand A and Strand B tight once more. You’ve just completed your square knot!

Knot 3: The Spiral Stitch

The Spiral Stitch, also known as the Half Square Knot, is a simple variation on the Square Knot that results in a spiraling pattern. This knot is perfect for creating twists in your macrame projects. Here’s how to form a Spiral Stitch:

Just like the Square Knot, you will begin with four strands of cord. The two outer strands will be active in creating the knot, and the two middle strands will act as the base or ‘core’ of your knot.
Start by making a ‘4’ shape with the left outer strand (Strand A), going over the two middle base strands and under the far right strand (Strand B).
Next, take Strand B. While keeping it above the tail of Strand A, guide it behind the two base strands and through the ‘4’ shaped loop that Strand A created.
Pull both Strand A and Strand B tight. Unlike the square knot, you’ll be repeating this same pattern instead of reversing it for the next knot.
Continue making the ‘4’ with Strand A and passing Strand B through the loop, pulling both strands tight every time.

Knot 4: The Double Half Hitch

The Double Half Hitch (DHH) is a versatile knot used for creating shapes, patterns, and lines in macrame designs. Here is the step-by-step process to make a Double Half Hitch Knot:

how to macrame wall hanging

First, select a cord on the far left (the ‘holding cord’) and hold it diagonally across the other cords (the ‘working cords’) with your right hand.
Take the nearest working cord in your left hand. Bring it under the holding cord, then loop it around the holding cord, forming a loop that points downwards.
Now, pull the working cord upwards through the loop so that it tightens up to the top. Repeat this looping process once more with the same working cord. You should now see two loops around your holding cord with the tail of the working cord emerging from the center of the loops.
Repeat this process with each subsequent working cord, maintaining the same diagonal holding cord. Stop when you reach the middle of your cords.
Next, you will repeat the same looping process on the other side. This time, start with the far right cord as your holding cord and work diagonally to the left.

When all working cords have been knotted, you’ll need to join the two sides together. To do this, take the far right holding cord and use it as your new holding cord, with the left holding cord becoming a working cord. Create one last DHH knot to complete the pattern.

Knot 5: The Berry Knot

The Berry Knot is a delightful and decorative knot that adds a unique visual element to your macrame projects. It resembles a small ‘berry’ made from a series of knots. Here’s how you create a Berry Knot:

Begin with creating a series of three Square Knots in a row, ensuring to leave a small space above the first Square Knot. This forms the base for your Berry Knot.
Once your series of Square Knots is complete, take the tails of your knots and loop them upwards through the space you left above the first Square Knot.
Pull the cord tails downwards, ensuring they pass behind your knot sequence. As you tighten the cords, you will notice the formation of a small ‘berry’ ball created from your line of Square Knots.

Read more: How to Macrame: Macrame Projects for Beginners

4 Common Macrame Mistakes to Avoid

Cutting Cord Too Short

One of the most frequent pitfalls in macrame is underestimating the amount of cord required for your project. Running out of cord midway can prevent you from completing your desired design and can be quite frustrating.

To avoid this mistake, ensure that your cord is approximately 4x the length of your anticipated finished project. If you’re planning to fold your cord in half for your design, you’ll need to double this amount, so aim for 8x the final length. Always remember, it’s better to have some leftover cord than to run out before you’ve completed your project.

Not Buying Enough Cord

Another common mistake that macrame enthusiasts often make is not buying enough cord in the first place. This mistake can bring your project to an abrupt halt, forcing you to settle for a smaller design than initially intended.

To ensure you have enough cord for your project, a bit of planning and math is necessary. When crafting a wall hanging, it’s beneficial to measure the width of the stick or dowel you’ll be using. You can then estimate that each cord will occupy approximately 1/2 to 1 inch of space along the stick.

This measurement will give you the number of strands you need. Next, you should measure the desired length for each strand. The formula could look something like this: If you’re aiming for a finished length of 30 inches, and your cord is folded in half, you will need the cord to be 8x the desired length.

Here’s a sample calculation:

Desired length of 30 inches x 8 = 240 inches per strand
Convert the length to feet (since it’s easier to work with): 240 inches ÷ 12 inches = 20 feet per strand
If you need 28 strands for your design, then: 20 feet per strand x 28 strands = 560 feet of total cord
Convert the total cord length to yards, as cord is often sold by the yard: 560 feet ÷ 3 yards = 187 yards of cord

By doing this calculation, you can ensure you purchase sufficient cord to complete your project, and avoid falling short midway.

Not Practicing Knots Beforehand

One key aspect that many beginners might overlook is practicing the knots before diving into a project. Each knot in macrame crafting is unique and may require specific hand movements and tension. The different types of knots can be quite challenging, especially for those new to the art form.

Practicing beforehand is paramount. If you’re just starting out, it’s beneficial to take a piece of your cord, cut into 3-foot lengths, and use these to practice your knots until you feel confident. This exercise familiarizes your hands with the necessary movements and techniques, and allows you to master the tension needed to create beautiful and consistent knots.

Without sufficient practice, you might struggle with knotting techniques when you begin your project, which could result in uneven knots or even hinder your progress. By practicing your knots beforehand, you can smoothly transition into your project and focus more on creating a stunning piece of macrame art.

Pulling too Tight (or not Pulling Tight Enough)

Mastering the tension in macrame knotting is a crucial aspect of the craft. Both too much and too little tension can compromise the integrity and aesthetics of your finished project.

Pulling knots too tight can create problems for subsequent stages of your work. Extremely tight knots make it challenging to build onto existing structures or weave in ends. Additionally, over-tightened knots can cause your piece to curl or deform, disrupting the overall design.

Conversely, knots that are too loose may appear messy and lack structure. They can potentially unravel or shift position, leading to an unstable piece that doesn’t hold its intended form.

Striving for consistent tension throughout your project is key. Knots should be secure and firm, but not so tight that they distort the overall pattern. If you notice your work starting to curl or distort, it may be a signal to reduce the tension slightly.

Remember, the goal is to maintain a balance. Consistent, well-measured tension results in neat, sturdy knots that contribute to a beautiful and robust macrame piece. Regular practice will help you develop an intuitive sense of the right amount of tension for each knot.

Conclusion

Crafting a DIY macrame wall hanging can be a rewarding project that melds creativity and skill. The process involves precise cord cutting, meticulous knot tying, and avoiding common mistakes to produce a beautiful piece of art. A balance of patience and practice is essential to mastering the knots and techniques. With the guidance provided on BeanDaikon, anyone can embark on the journey to create their unique macrame wall hanging, turning a simple cord into an intricate piece of wall decor.