How to Make a DIY Macrame Angel Ornament for Your Holiday Tree

Create Handmade Joy: A Macrame Angel for Your Christmas Tree

Looking to add a little extra holiday magic to your decor this year?

This DIY Macrame Angel Ornament is the perfect way to sprinkle a bit of festive cheer onto your Christmas tree. It's also handmade by you!

There’s something undeniably special about decorating with pieces that reflect your creativity and care, and this angel ornament precisely does that.

With just a few simple knots and a touch of creativity, you can knot a beautiful, elegant angel full of heart and personality.

If you're aiming for a traditional or modern look, this macrame angel is versatile enough to fit into any holiday decor style.

Plus, it’s a fun project that will get you into the holiday spirit, whether you're knotting solo with a cup of cocoa or hosting a holiday DIY session with friends or family.

Ready to bring a personal, handmade touch to your Christmas decorations?

Let’s get knotting and create holiday magic with this delightful macrame angel!

Let’s Start with the Cord, Materials, and Macrame Knots You’ll Need

Before we dive into creating your beautiful macrame angel ornament, let’s make sure we have all the essential materials and understand the key knots you’ll be working with.

Having the right cord and tools on hand will make the process smoother, and mastering a few basic macrame knots will set the foundation for this festive project.

What makes this macrame angel even better is the ability to customize it to fit your own holiday theme.

You can choose the colors, cord type, and size to make it uniquely yours. Play around with it, this it your canvas!

It’s also a beginner-friendly project, simple enough for new crafters, while still being fun for those more experienced with macrame.

Have fun with it!

This handmade ornament isn’t just for your tree—it makes a thoughtful and heartfelt gift, perfect for spreading holiday cheer.

Macrame Knots You Need to Know to Make a Macrame DIY Christmas Angel Ornament

To create your macrame angel ornament, it’s important to get familiar with a few basic macrame knots.

These simple knots are widely used in many macrame projects and will give you the foundation you need for this and future creations.

Here are the knots you’ll need:

• Overhand Knot: A basic knot used to tie cords together or to prevent fraying at the end of a cord.
• Gathering Knot: Also known as a wrapping knot, this versatile knot is used to bundle cords and add a neat finishing touch. Learn how to make the Gather knot, here.
• Reverse Lark’s Head Knot: This is the reverse version of the standard Lark’s Head Knot and is commonly used for attaching cords to rings or dowels.
• Reverse Lark’s Head Knot + Half Hitch Knot: This variation combines the Reverse Lark’s Head with a Half Hitch Knot on both sides for extra security and style.
• Double Half Hitch Knot: This is one of the most important knots in macrame, used for creating intricate designs and clean, structured patterns. Learn more.

By mastering these basic knots, you'll be able to confidently create not only this macrame angel but a variety of other projects, like a macrame Christmas wreath ornament or other creative macrame pieces!

Interested in More Knots for You Future Macrame Projects?

If you want to add more knots to your macrame designs, check out my free resource, "50 Macrame Knots & Sennit Guide."

It's packed with easy, step-by-step instructions to help you improve your skills and try new creative projects.

Access it here.

Important Macrame Terms for Beginners

Before we begin, it's probably best to go over a few important terms used in macrame.

This will help you understand the techniques more easily, follow patterns with confidence, and set a strong foundation for your macrame journey.

• Knots: Macrame involves various knots, like the overhand knot and alternating overhand knot. Learning these basic knots is key to building a strong foundation. Check the "Macrame Knots You Need to Know" section for the knots used in this pattern.
• Cords: The primary material in macrame is cords made from cotton, jute, nylon, or synthetic fibers. They come in different thicknesses and colors. You can learn more about macrame cord with our "Macrame ESSENTIALS: Everything You Need—Cord, Tools, & Materials" post.
• Loop: A loop is formed by crossing the cord over itself to create a ring-like shape. Loops are essential in many macrame designs.
• Fringe: The loose ends of cords that hang down, adding a decorative element. The fringe can be left as is or trimmed to your desired length. Want to learn more about fringe? here's "My Top 5 Secrets for Creating PERFECTLY Styled Fringe" post you might find helpful.
• Anchor Cord: The fixed cord or structure to which other cords are attached. It provides stability and support for your design. 
• Working Cord: The cord that is actively manipulated to create knots and patterns throughout the project.
• Sennit: A series of knots grouped together to form a pattern or part of your macrame project.
• Frays and Tassels: The loose ends of your cords, often used intentionally as decorative elements like frays or tassels in your design.

DIY Christmas Angel Ornament Materials

We will use a 2mm single-strand twist cotton cord for this macrame angel ornament.

This type of cord is ideal because it is soft, flexible, and easy to work with. It is perfect for achieving smooth knots and beautiful fringe detailing.

The single twist lets you easily comb through the ends for that classic macrame look, especially when creating delicate designs like this angel ornament.

If you choose to use a different type or size of cord, keep in mind that it may affect your ornament's final look and structure.

Thicker cords can make your knots bulkier, while thinner cords might make the ornament more delicate but less sturdy.

You may also need to adjust the cord lengths based on the cord size you are using.

For the best results, we recommend using the same 2mm single-strand cotton cord shown in this tutorial.

This will ensure that your ornament turns out as intended, with the right balance of structure and softness, making the process easier to follow and the final piece more polished. 

Macrame Tools & Supplies

DIY Macrame Christmas Angel Ornament Details

Skill Level:

• Beginner

Completed Size:

• 3.5" wide x 5.5" length

Completion Time:

• 1 to 2 hours depending on skill level 

Materials Needed (for 1 unit):

• 2mm Macrame cord
• 1 x 3" Metal ring
• 1 x Large bead

Cotton Lengths:

• 1 x 70 cm (28”)
•  9 x 50 cm (20”)
• 12 x 40 cm (16”)
• 7 x 25 cm (10")

* Note: The cord lengths suggested here are based on the pattern using a 2mm macrame cord.

Should you use a different size cord or cord from another brand, actual cord lengths may differ slightly and, therefore, should be adjusted accordingly.

How to Make a DIY Macrame Angel Ornament for Your Holiday Tree | Video Tutorial 

How to Make a DIY Macrame Angel Ornament for Your Holiday Tree | Step-by-Step Guide

*Note: We recommend following the tutorial video for more detailed instructions and to achieve the best results.

This will provide additional guidance and clarity as you work through each step.

Step 1:

• Take a 70 cm cord and place it horizontally as your anchor cord.
• Attach 8 pieces of 50 cm cords to the anchor using Reverse Lark's Head Plus Half Hitch (RLHPHH) knots.

Step 2:

• In the center of the 8 knots, attach another 50 cm cord to the anchor using a Reverse Lark’s Head knot, with the knot facing upward.

Step 3:

• Using the middle-right cord as your anchor, tie a row of Double Half Hitch (DHH) knots to the right. Repeat the same on the left side.

Step 4:

• Attach the top-right cord to the ring using a DHH knot.
• Pull the bottom anchor cord over the ring and attach the top cord to the anchor cord with another DHH knot.

Step 5:

• Repeat the same steps on the left side to mirror the pattern.

Step 6:

• Using the middle-left and middle-right cords as your anchors, create a row of DHH knots on each side.

Step 7:

• Comb through the cords to shape and trim the angel’s wings to your desired length.

Step 8:

• Create 2 groups of cords with 6 pieces of 40 cm in each group.
• Comb through each group to create a fringe effect.

Step 9:

• Place the fringe on both the left and right sides of the angel.
• Use a 25 cm cord to tie a Gathering knot underneath to secure it.

Step 10:

• Re-trim the fringe on both sides, and trim the fringe in the middle.
• Use hairspray or fabric stiffener to hold the shape.

Step 11:

• Thread the top ends with a large hole bead.

Step 12:

• Comb through 6 pieces of 25 cm cords.
• Place them between the top cords and secure them with an Overhand knot.

Step 13:

• Attach the top two cords to the ring with DHH knots, then tie a large Overhand knot at the top to create a loop for hanging.

Step 14:

• Brush and trim the angel’s “hair” to finish the design. Now your beautiful macrame angel ornament is ready to hang!

If you enjoyed making this angel, the fun doesn’t have to stop here!

We have even more festive macrame Christmas projects for you to explore. Head over to Bochiknot’s Macrame Journey where you’ll find a variety of holiday-themed macrame tutorials.

So hang up your new angel ornament, grab some more cord, and let the holiday crafting continue.

Wishing you a season filled with joy, creativity, and the magic of handmade decor!