On this page you will find written and picture instructions for basic macrame knots.
There is an accompanying instructional video on my Youtube channel: Basic macrame knots the next step
Larks head knot:
The first of the basic macrame knots is the larks head knot. This is often used to start a project or add in new cord to a project.
Start out by taking the middle of the working cord and putting it behind the holding cord as shown in the picture above. Then bring the loop back over the holding cord and bring the two tails of the working cord through the loop. Now tighten the cord and then you have a larks head knot.
The knot pictured above is also a larks head knot, but in reverse, and this can be used for projects in place of the previous larks head knot depending on preference of the look of the knot. Start out by taking the middle of the working cord and put it behind the holding cord from above. Then take the loop back over the top of the holding cord and putting both ends of the working cord through the loop. Now pull the knot downwards to tighten it and then you have your larks head knot.
Larks head knot with half hitches:
This is a variation of the larks head knot, which is used when more spacing for the larks head knot is needed for a certain project.
Start out by making the larks head knot as pictured previously. Then you will have the two tails from the working cord coming out from the knot naturally towards each their own side. Start with one of the cords and stay on the same side of the knot. Then take the working cord over the holding cord, bring it back underneath the same holding cord and bring it up through the loop that was created with the working cord, when bringing it around the holding cord as pictured above. Now pull this tight so this new knot sits right next to the larks head knot. Now repeat the same on the other side of the knot with the other working cord and you have your finished knot.
Square knot:
The next basic macrame knot is the square knot. This is used for many different purposes in macrame and can be used in a multitude of combinations to achieve different effects.
To start out with you have one or multiple cords in the middle as your holding cord and one working cord on each side. Then start by taking the working cord on the left side, over the holding cord as pictured above. Then bring the right working cord over that before bringing it underneath the holding cord in the middle and up through the loop on the other side that was created by the left working cord. Now pull this tight and you have the first half of your square knot. Then repeat the same step, but from the other side by taking the right working cord over the holding cord. Now take the right working cord over that and then bring it underneath the holding cord, and up through the loop on the other side, that was created by the right working cord. Now pull this tight so it ends up right underneath the first half of the knot. You now completed the second half of the knot and have ended up with one full square knot. This can then be repeated to create several square knots right underneath each other, that then form a sennit of square knots. The knot can also be made starting from the other side first and following the same steps in a mirrored image.
Alternating square knot:
This is a variation of the square knot to achieve different patterns.
Start out by attaching three working cords to a holding cord using the larks head knot. Then separate your cords into two groups of three on each side. Now make a square knot with each of these groups of three cords. Then leave out the outer cord on each side and bring the two middle cords down in the middle. These two cords are the new holding cords. Now use the middle cord from each group of three as the new working cords and make a square knot around the two middle holding cords. Now arrange your cords back in the original groups and make a square knot on each side again, just like the first step. Then make your square knot in the middle again and keep repeating these steps to achieve the alternating square knot pattern.
Button knot:
The next knot is a button knot, that you also use square knots to achieve.
Start out by making a sennit of square knots as pictured above and explained earlier. Then make another sennit of 4 square knots underneath it, making sure to leave a little gap between the two sections of square knots. Now take the two holding cords and put them through the gap between the two sections of square knots, making sure to keep the left holding cord towards the left gap, and the right holding cord towards the right gap. Pull the holding cords tight to bring the second section of square knots back over itself to create the button knot. Now make a square knot using the working cords around the holding cords below the button knot to fasten it in place. Repeat these steps to make as many button knots as you want.
Picot knot:
The picot knot is also created using square knots.
Start out by making a sennit of square knots. Then make another sennit of square knots below making sure to leave a gap between the two sections. The size of the gap will determine the size of the final picots. Now push up the bottom sennit of square knots right below the top sennit of square knots, and you will achieve your first picot. Now repeat this step of making another sennit of square knots below the previous, making sure to leave a gap, until you have achieved the number of picots desired. To make sure the picots become the same size if desired, you can measure the gap between the sections of square knots while making them.
Spiral knot:
The spiral knot is a slight variation of the square knot.
Start out by taking the left working cord over the holding cord. Now take the right working cord over that, underneath the holding cord and bring it up through the loop on the other side, that was created by the left working cord. Pull this tight and this is also the same step as the first half of a square knot. Keep repeating this, making sure you always start with the working cord from the same side. This will then achieve a spiral sennit of knots. The knot can also be made starting from the other side first and following the same steps in a mirrored image.
Half hitch knot:
The half hitch knot is very commonly used in micro macrame and can achieve an endless amount of results by using different combinations.
Start out by taking the working cord over the holding cord. Bring it back underneath the holding cord and make sure to come up through the loop created by the working cord. Now pull this tight to create your first half hitch knot. Keep repeating the same step using the same working cord, to achieve a spiral half hitch knot sennit. The knot can also be made starting from the other side first and following the same steps in a mirrored image.
Alternating half hitch:
This is a variation of the half hitch knot.
Start out by taking the left working cord over the holding cord. Bring it back around and underneath the holding cord and make sure to bring it up through the loop created by the working cord. Pull this tight and now the cords switch jobs when making the next knot. Bring the right working cord over the holding cord. Take it back around and underneath the holding cord and bring it up through the loop created by the working cord. Now before making the next knot, the cords switch jobs again and you keep repeating these steps, making sure to alternate the knots from side to side every time you make a new knot.
Double half hitch:
The double half hitch is a variation of the half hitch also very commonly used in micro macrame, and many different results can be achieved by combining the knots in different ways.
Start out by attaching an amount of your choice of working cords, to a holding cord, using the larks head knot. Now take the furthest left cord and bring it over all the other cords. This will be the first holding cord. All the remaining working cords will be coming out below the holding cord. Take the very next cord, that is the first working cord and bring it over the top of the holding cord. Now bring it back underneath and make sure to bring it up through the loop, created by the working cord. Pull this tight, making sure to hold the holding cord taught, while tightening the knot. To achieve a straight row of knots, make sure to hold the holding cord close to, and slightly above the line where you want the row to go. In this case slightly above the original holding cord where you attached all the working cords using larks head knots. Not repeat this step with the same cord to achieve the double half hitch, making sure to tighten it right after the first one. Now pick up the next working cord and repeat the same step with this. Making two half hitches with every working cord to achieve double half hitches, creating a row of knots. This can then be repeated to create several rows of knots underneath each other by going back to the first cord in the new row, and bringing it over the rest of the cords. This then becomes the holding cord for this row, and you then start making double half hitches, with the rest of the working cords coming out underneath the holding cord. The knot can also be made starting from the other side first and following the same steps in a mirrored image.
Diagonal double half hitch:
This is a variation of the double half hitch, that is used to create rows of knots to achieve different patterns.
Start out by attaching the amount of working cords of your choice to a holding cord. Then start making double half hitches as explained in the previous step, using one working cord at a time, working your way across to create a row of knots. The direction you hold you holding cord in, while you are tightening your double half hitches, determines how your row of knots is going to be. You can then achieve customised patterns using the double half hitch. The knot can also be made starting from the other side first and following the same steps in a mirrored image.
Vertical larks head knot:
This is a variation of the larks head knot made using half hitches.
Start out by taking the working cord over the holding cord. Bring it back underneath the holding cord and make sure it comes up through the loop, created by the working cord. Pull this tight, and this is the first half of your knot. Now bring the same working cord underneath the holding cord. Take it back over the holding cord and make sure to bring it through the loop created by the working cord. Now pull this tight and you have now created the second half of the knot, which then makes the full vertical larks head knot. Keep repeating these steps to create a sennit of vertical larks head knots.
Vertical larks head knot picot:
This is a variation of the vertical larks head knot.
Start out by making a sennit of vertical larks head knots and explained in the previous step. Then make another sennit of vertical larks head knot underneath that, making sure to leave a gap between the two sections. The size of the gap will determine the size of the final picot. Now push the bottom section of knots up underneath the first section of knots and your picot is created. Repeat this step to achieve as many picots as desired.