How to Make a Macrame Wall Hanging – Knots + Supplies + DIY Patterns

Are you wondering how to make a Macrame wall hanging and not sure where to start? Let me show you the ropes by going over all the basics like which knots to learn, where to buy dowels and Macrame cords, how to set up your workstation, and where to find the best beginner patterns!

Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my (Amazon) links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll happily spend on more colorful macrame cords!

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How to make a Macrame Wall Hanging

You’ve probably spotted many gorgeous Macrame wall hangings while browsing Etsy or Pinterest and always wondered how to make a macrame wall hanging yourself. Well, let me tell you it’s much easier than you might think.

Most Macrame wall hangings are created with just the basic knots, used in different patterns. These basic knots are pretty easy to master and once you know them you’re totally ready to get creative with your Macrame cords.

Start with a small project

Although I’ve seen many beginners in our amazing Macrame for Beginners Facebook group successfully start off with a giant wall hanging for their first project, I do recommend picking a smaller one when you’re just beginning. This gives you more room to practice, make mistakes, and start over if needed.

When you’re completely new to Macrame, I highly recommend checking out my Complete Beginners Guide which also includes a short introduction to all the basic Macrame knots.

TIP: Join the Macrame for Beginners Facebook Group

If you want to connect with other Macrame beginners, share your work, ask for advice, and get inspired with gorgeous projects, make sure to join our Facebook group! We’re happy to help you out!

Which knots to learn for a Macrame Wall Hanging?

There are a couple of knots that you will see in almost every Macrame wall hanging. These knots vary from super easy to learn to a little bit more difficult to get right on your first try. But I promise with a little practice you’ll be able to master them all!

The lark’s head knot is the knot that is used to attach your work to the dowel and is super easy to learn. The Square knot is pretty easy to figure out and can be knotted in many different patterns to create a variety of styles.

The Double Half hitch knot can be a bit tricky at first but allows you to make gorgeous horizontal, vertical or diagonal lines in your work.

Then there are two variations of the square knot which create the Spiral Knot and Berry Knot. These knots look perfect in a wall hanging and will add some depth to your pieces.

You can find step-by-step tutorials for all these knots included in the wall hanging tutorials at the end of this post!

How to hang your Macrame Wall Hanging

When you use a Macrame cord to hang your wall hanging, you can use the Constrictor Knot to attach the cord to your dowel. This knot is super strong and hard to come undone, which makes it perfect to hang your piece.

For small and lighter Macrame pieces, you can also use a standard double knot to attach the hanging cord to your dowel.

Which patterns to learn for a Macrame Wall Hanging?

When it comes to learning Macrame patterns there are two that you’ll often see in a Macrame wall hanging. These patterns are pretty easy to learn and will allow you to get super creative when knotting your pieces of art!

The alternating square knot pattern can be applied in many different ways to add more variation and layers to your Macrame wall hangings.

The diamond pattern is created with the double half hitch knot and requires some practice but will add some pretty wavy lines to your pieces.

I’ve included 5 FREE super helpful video tutorials by talented fiber artist and Macrame teacher Soulful Notions at the end of this post which goes over all the knots and patterns I’ve just mentioned so you can start learning them right away!

What supplies do I need to make a Macrame Wall Hanging?

When you’re first looking into how to make a Macrame wall hanging, you might be worried you need a lot of supplies to get started.

Luckily, to make a Macrame wall hanging you don’t need a lot of tools. The most important thing is finding something to attach your work onto and getting yourself plenty of gorgeous Macrame cords. And a pair of scissors, of course!

To attach your work there are different options you can choose from like a plain wooden dowel, a piece of driftwood, or even some small cinnamon sticks. For some projects, you can also work with metal hoops or wooden rings.

Where can I buy Macrame dowels?

I usually browse Etsy until I find something that matches my project. Click on the links to quickly check all Etsy sellers for each item:

Driftwood
Standard Wooden Dowel
Cinnamon Sticks
Wooden Rings
Metal Hoop

Where can I buy Macrame beads?

Some patterns require you to add some pretty beads to your Macrame piece. When you’re browsing for beads, make sure that the width of the opening corresponds with your cord size, usually displayed in mm.

Whether you’re looking for small or XL Macrame beads, Etsy is the best place to find them. Check out this Etsy seller overview for pretty Macrame beads in all colors and sizes. plus even some with cute prints!

What cords should I get for a Macrame Wall hanging?

For wall hangings, the standard size for Macrame cords is between 3-5 mm. Depending on the look you’re going for, you can choose between different types of cord such as single twist, 3-ply, and braided.

I absolutely love working with Bobbiny Macrame cords. They’re eco-friendly, silky-soft, affordable and available in many gorgeous trendy colors. You can read more about why I recommend this brand, especially to beginners, in my Bobbiny Macrame Cord Review.

Another great option for high-quality Macrame cords is GANXXET. Their recycled cords are lovely to work with and also come in many gorgeous colors!

I strongly recommend sticking to the pattern recommendations when it comes to selecting the cord type and size you’re going to buy. This is important because different types of Macrame cords can give your project a different look and they will require alternative calculations for cord length.

You can read more about which Macrame cords to choose for your project in my Complete Macrame Cord Guide.

How to measure Macrame cords?

In most cases, your Macrame cord needs to be roughly about four times the length of your final piece. When your cord is folded in half with a Lark’s Head Knot to create two cords, it should be roughly eight times the length of your project.

When estimating the length of your cord, it’s important to look at the pattern first as your cord length will vary depending on how many knots you’re adding and which patterns you’re making.

You can find more great tips on calculating your cords in this short article on how to measure your macrame cord lengths.

How do I set up my Macrame workspace?

To work on your wall hanging, I recommend setting up a vertical workstation with a standard clothing rack and S-hooks to hang your dowel.

I’ve written a complete guide on how to set up your Macrame workspace and all the different handy tools that are available to make your life easier.

Where can I find Macrame Wall Hanging Patterns?

Some people like to learn by video and others prefer working from a book or written pattern. Whatever your preference is, here are the best sources for gorgeous Macrame wall hanging patterns.

Macrame Wall Hanging Written Patterns

When you’re looking for free written Macrame patterns, I can strongly recommend browsing Pinterest. When you’re willing to pay a small fee you can find many beautiful wall hanging patterns on Etsy.

There are also many well-known fiber artists that sell pretty patterns on Etsy. Check out the amazing wall hanging patterns by Tamar Things for example or these colorful wall hanging mandalas by Cords + Quartz.

Free Macrame Wall Hanging Video Tutorials

These free and amazing patterns, created by my favorite YouTube Macrame teacher Chasta from Soulful Notions are perfect for beginners and will teach you step-by-step how to make 5 gorgeous different Macrame wall hangings.

TIP! Open the video on Youtube to view the instructions in the description for cutting cords and which cord type to buy for each pattern. You can slow down the speed of the video by opening the settings menu.

Easy Macrame Rainbow Wall Hanging

30 Minute Macrame Wall Hanging

Easy Macrame Wall Hanging

Small Macrame Wall Hanging

Boho Macrame Wall Hanging

Modern Large Macrame Wall Hanging

More Macrame Wall Hanging Video Tutorials

15 DIY Easy Macrame Wall Hangings for Beginners
12 Gorgeous DIY Large Macrame Wall Hanging Patterns
15 Easy DIY Mini Macrame Plant Hangers & Wall Hangings
10 x Easy Macrame Rainbow DIY Wall Hanging Tutorials
Learn how to Macraweave + 10 Easy DIY Beginner Wall Hanging Tutorials

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