If you have wanted to try macramé but felt intimidated by big wall hangings, a keychain is the ideal starting point. It uses just a couple of basic knots, takes minutes to finish, and makes a great handmade gift. Let's knot one together.
What You Will Need
Gather a few simple supplies:
- About 5 to 6 feet of 3mm macramé cord
- A key ring or split ring
- Scissors and a comb for fringe
That is it. Cotton cord is softest and frays into a nice tassel.
Attach Your Cord
Fold your cords in half and attach them to the key ring with a lark's head knot: loop the folded center behind the ring, then pull the loose ends through the loop and tighten. This anchors everything to the ring.
Tie Square Knots
The square knot is the heart of macramé. With four cords, take the left cord over the middle two and under the right, then bring the right cord under the middle and up through the left loop. Reverse the direction for the second half. Repeat to build a flat, woven column.
Pro tip: Keep your tension even and snug. Loose knots look sloppy, while consistently tight knots give that clean, professional braided look.
Finish with a Tassel
When your knotted section is the length you want, gather all the cords and tie a tight wrapping knot or a simple overhand knot just below it. Trim the ends even, then comb out the cotton fibers to fluff into a soft tassel.
Customize It
Once you have the basics, experiment. Add wooden beads, mix cord colors, or make the knotted section longer. Each small change creates a totally different look.
That is all there is to it. With a lark's head and a few square knots, you have made your first piece of macramé and learned the foundation for bigger projects.