Part of the process
Choose the cord
Three choices decide the cord: fiber, construction and thickness. Cotton of 3 to 4 mm suits most first projects, plant hangers want a firmer 3 ply or braided cord, and jewelry wants 1 to 2 mm.
- Beginner default
- 3 to 4 mm cotton, single strand or 3 ply
- Thickness range
- 1 to 2 mm jewelry, 3 to 5 mm most projects, 6 mm and up large pieces
Macrame cord is sold by thickness in millimeters and by how it is built. Single strand cord is one soft bundle of fibers: it knots smoothly and combs out into straight fringe. 3 ply cord is three twisted strands twisted together: firmer and stronger, with sharper knots and a wavy fringe. Braided cord is the tidiest and will not comb out at all, which makes it the usual pick for crochet and for cord that carries weight.
Thickness sets the scale of everything. Cord of 1 to 2 mm is for bracelets and other jewelry, 3 mm for keychains and small wall hangings, 4 mm for plant hangers and most medium pieces, 5 mm and thicker for large wall hangings. The cord size chart lists each size with its inch equivalent, and the conversion chart shows what changes when a pattern calls for one size and you own another.
Cotton is the standard fiber because it is soft on the hands and holds a knot. Jute and hemp give a rougher, rustic look. For anything that lives outdoors, polypropylene or polyester cord is the usual choice, since cotton soaks up water and can mildew. Yarn and other substitutes work for some pieces and fail for others: can you macrame with yarn goes through them one by one.
Common mistakes at this stage
- Buying braided cord for a piece that needs combed fringe.
- Using soft, stretchy yarn for a plant hanger that has to carry a pot.
- Changing the cord size of a pattern without changing the cut lengths.