Modern macramé

This old favourite was a craft hit in the 1970s, but it’s right back in fashion again. Keep your macramé projects modern and simple, like this beautiful wall hanging or window treatment. Here we show you how to do a few basic knots and explain step-by-step how to make a hanging like ours.

Step-by-step macramé knots

Cording knot
Step 1: Pass the cord down behind the dowel. Bring the working end up and over to the back of the dowel again, passing it to the left of the cord.
Step 2: Bring the working end up and over the dowel to the right of the cord. Pull the working end down between the dowel and the section of the cord that lies diagonally across the back of the dowel. Now pull the knot tight.

Cording knot (complete)
In the photo below, the completed knot is shown, as seen from the front (left) and the back (right).

Lark’s head knot
Fold the cord in half to form a loop. Pass the loop over a dowel from the front to the back. Pass the two ends through the loop, front to back (left). Pull the knot tight (right).

Square knot
This knot is worked with four cords; the two outer cords are tied over the two centre cords. Step 1: Pass the cord on the far left over the two centre cords and under the cord on the far right. Next, take the cord that is now second from right behind the two centre cords and pull it through the space between the centre cords and the far left cord. Step 2: Pass the cord on the far right over the two centre cords and under the cord on the far left. Next, pass the cord that is now second from the left behind the two centre cords and pull it through the space between the centre cords and the cord on the far right. Pull the second knot tight against the first.

Double half hitch knot
The double half hitch knot is shown here with single cords, but it can be made with double cords. Pass the left-hand cord over the right-hand cord, passing it around the back and then through the space between the two cords. This forms one half hitch knot. Work the second half hitch in the same manner, using the right-hand cord to form the knot. Pull the second knot tight against the first.

Overhand knot
Pass the working end of one cord up and across the cord from right to left to form a loop. Pull the end through the loop from the back to the front. Pull the knot tight.

Macramé hanging
This hanging is approximately 45cm wide and 190cm long.

You will need
• 110m polyester cord, 5mm in diameter
• two dowels, 550 x 19mm
• staple gun and staples

To make
1 Cut the cord into 10 x 11m lengths. Tape or singe the ends to keep them from unravelling.
2 Fold each cord in half and tie them to one of the dowels with lark’s head knots, spacing the knots 5cm apart. Staple the cords to the back of the dowel to keep them in position.
3 Row 1 Starting from one end, knot a row of five square knots about 3,5cm below the dowel.
4 Row 2 Set the first and last pair of cords aside and knot a row of four square knots approximately 3,5cm below the first row.
5 Row 3 Work the same as row1, approximately 3,5cm below the previous row.
6 Row 4 Working with double cords, knot a double half hitch just below the square knots of the previous row.
7 Repeat these four rows 10 more times.
8 Next, knot one more repeat of rows 1-3.
9 Tie all the cords to the second dowel with cording knots. Staple the knots to the back of the dowel and tie an overhand knot in each cord next to the cording knot. Cut the cords 2,5cm below the last knot and melt the ends with a flame to prevent them fraying.