Cord&Knot
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The macrame handbook

Pick the cord, cut it once, tie it right

Which cord to buy, how long to cut it, which knots to tie, and what to do when a strip twists, a cord runs short or a plant hanger tilts.

How much cord, and how long to cut it?

Open the full cord calculator →
Project
Units

Knotted length below the dowel

Fringe or tassel below the last knot

Number of cords to cut

How the cords are mounted

Cord thickness

Knot density

Square knots, alternating square knots, spirals. 4 to 4.5 times the length per strand.

Margin, wrapping cords and spool length

Safety margin

Added to every cut length. 10 to 15 percent is the usual advice.

Wrapping cords for gathering knots

Each is a separate cord of 24 in. No margin is added to them.

Spool length optional

Used to count how many spools to buy.

Your cut length

Cut each cord: 16 ft 0 in(192 in, 4.88 m)

Range for this kind of pattern: 14 ft 4 in to 16 ft 0 in. Cut the longer figure unless a pattern you trust says otherwise.

Cut list, using the long end of the range
CordHow manyCut each atSubtotal
Main cords, folded1616 ft 0 in (192 in)256 ft 0 in (78.03 m)

Total cord to buy

256 ft(86 yd, 78.1 m)

At the short end of the range: 230 ft (77 yd, 70.0 m)

1 spool of 109 yd covers the long figure.

16 cords folded = 32 strands. Side by side they cover about 5.0 in (12.8 cm). That is geometry only, strands times cord thickness: mounted cords can be spaced wider.

Estimates based on the rules of thumb published by cord brands and macrame teachers, shown as a range because those rules differ. Where a pattern or the cord maker gives its own lengths, those win.

The process, step by step

Macrame runs in the same order every time: pick the cord, work out the lengths, mount, knot, build, finish. Each step has its own page with the notes and supplies that belong to it.

  1. part 1Choose the cordFiber, construction and thickness in mm: three choices that decide how the piece looks and wears.5 notes · 11 gear guides
  2. part 2Work out the lengthHow long to cut each cord and how much to buy, before the scissors come out.3 notes · 0 gear guides
  3. step 1Mount and set upCords go onto a dowel, ring or hoop, and the work is fixed where both hands are free.1 note · 5 gear guides
  4. step 2Tie the knotsSquare knot, spiral, double half hitch and gathering knot: the few knots behind almost every piece.4 notes · 0 gear guides
  5. step 3Build the pieceArms, basket and tail for a plant hanger; rows, shapes and beads for a wall hanging.5 notes · 1 gear guide
  6. step 4Finish and fringeSecure the ends, then trim them or comb them out into fringe.4 notes · 0 gear guides
  7. part 7Hang and careHooks and anchors for plant hangers, level wall hangings, and how to clean cotton cord.3 notes · 4 gear guides

Something went wrong?

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Charts to keep next to the cord

All charts →
Three bars to one scale: the finished piece, one strand cut about 4 times as long, and one folded cord cut about 8 times as long.Finished piece1 x (example: 2 ft)One strand,standard knotsabout 4 x (8 ft)One folded cord= 2 strandsabout 8 x (16 ft)foldOpen plant hanger arms: 4 to 5 x per folded cord. Dense knots: 5 to 6 x per strand.Then add fringe and 10 to 15 percent.
How the cut length grows from the finished length: about 4 times for one strand, about 8 times for a folded cord.

Supplies, one item at a time

Each guide compares five to seven products of one kind by what their listings state.

All gear guides →

How-tos and explainers

All notes →