4 Halloween DIY Macrame Decorations You'll Fall In Love With In 2026
A ghost, a pumpkin, a lace pumpkin cover and a mummy — four ways to decorate for Halloween in cotton cord instead of plastic. Two have full step-by-step tutorials; all four have videos.
Last updated: September 4, 2026
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A Note from Nicole
Halloween decorations have a short season and a long afterlife. Most of what you buy is plastic, comes out for six weeks, and eventually goes in a bin.
Cotton cord is a nicer answer. These four pieces sit somewhere between spooky and sweet — they suit a mantelpiece rather than a haunted house — and they last for years if you pack them properly.
Two of them, the ghost and the pumpkin, now have complete written tutorials with every step photographed. The other two are video-led. Whichever you start with, they use the same handful of knots, so making one makes the next one faster.
Macrame Halloween decorations are seasonal decor pieces knotted from cotton cord rather than moulded from plastic, most commonly ghosts, pumpkins and mummies worked as three-dimensional shapes using double half hitch knots in the round. Because they are knotted rather than sewn or stuffed, they hold their shape without any internal frame, pack flat-ish for storage, and last many seasons. The four projects below range from about 90 minutes to 3 hours each and use 3mm cotton cord throughout.
Quick Answer — the four projects
- Boho ghost — 3D sculpture, 1–2 hrs, intermediate. Full tutorial →
- Knotty jack-o'-lantern — 3D pumpkin, 2–3 hrs, intermediate. Full tutorial →
- Macrame pumpkin cover — lace wrap for a real pumpkin, ~1 hr, beginner.
- Mummified macrame — 3D mummy with wrapped bandages, 2 hrs, intermediate.
- All four use 3mm cotton cord and mostly the double half hitch knot.
- New to 3D macrame? Start with the ghost — it explains how knots hold a shape.
The Four Projects
Ordered easiest to hardest. Every one of them uses 3mm cotton cord, so a single roll covers the lot.
1. Macrame Pumpkin Cover
Rather than knotting a pumpkin from scratch, this one wraps a real pumpkin in a lace-like macrame net. The petal-shaped pattern drapes over the top and gathers underneath, turning a supermarket pumpkin into something that looks considerably more expensive than it was.
Why make this one: It's the fastest of the four and the most forgiving — the pumpkin underneath does the shaping for you, so there is no 3D technique to learn. A good first Halloween project, and a good one to make with children.
Follow along with the video above — a full written tutorial for this one is on the way.
2. Boho Ghost Sculpture
A free-standing ghost knotted in the round, with a scalloped hem and a wrapped face. It stands up with nothing inside it — no wire, no stuffing, no glue — because of a single decision about when you stop adding cords.
Why make this one: This is the one that teaches you 3D macrame properly. The written tutorial explains the underlying principle, which then applies to the pumpkin, the mummy, and every domed ornament you make afterwards.
3. Knotty Jack-O'-Lantern
A plump, ribbed pumpkin knotted entirely in the round. The ribs come from endless falls sections worked vertically down the body, and the belly shape comes from expanding the rounds and then narrowing them back in.
Why make this one: It reads as autumn rather than strictly Halloween, so it can sit out from September through November — roughly double the season of anything with a face on it. The written tutorial also covers storing seasonal macrame so it survives the other ten months.
4. Mummified Macrame
A little mummy built as a 3D form and then wrapped in cord bandages. The wrapping is the enjoyable part — deliberately uneven, so each one comes out with its own character.
Why make this one: It's the most characterful of the four and the one children respond to most. The 3D body uses the same technique as the ghost, so make that one first and this becomes straightforward.
Follow along with the video above — a full written tutorial for this one is on the way.
Which One Should You Make First?
Depends how much time you have and whether you have knotted in the round before.
| If you… | Make… | Because |
|---|---|---|
| Have an hour and a real pumpkin | Pumpkin cover | No 3D technique needed — the pumpkin does the shaping |
| Have never knotted in the round | Ghost | The tutorial explains the underlying principle in full |
| Want decor that lasts past October | Pumpkin | Reads as autumn, so it sits out September to November |
| Are making these with children | Cover or mummy | Fastest, and the wrapping is forgiving of uneven hands |
| Want a matching set | Ghost, then pumpkin | Same cord, same technique — the second is much faster |
🔮 A shortcut worth knowing. Three of these four are the same technique with different silhouettes: expand the rounds by adding cords, stop adding, and the shape curves inward on its own. Learn it once on the ghost and the pumpkin and mummy both get considerably faster.
What You'll Need for All Four
One roll of 3mm cord covers every project on this page. The only extra is a little black string for the ghost's face.
3mm Cotton Cord
Every project here. White for ghosts and mummies, rust or orange for pumpkins.
Macrame Tool Kit
Includes the crochet hook the 3D projects need for tucking ends inside.
Our supplies also ship from the Bochiknot storefronts on Amazon US and Amazon Canada.
Keeping Them for Next Year
The short version, because it decides whether these last one season or ten: seasonal macrame goes on top of the box, never underneath. Cotton takes a set, so weight on a hollow knotted shape flattens it and the crease stays.
- Stuff each piece lightly with tissue paper for storage, and take it out when you unpack.
- Use a rigid box rather than a bag. One piece per box if you have room.
- Store somewhere dry indoors — not a loft or garage, where damp gets into cotton and stays.
- Keep the box closed so dyed cord doesn't fade.
Already opened a box and found something squashed? It is almost always recoverable. The pumpkin tutorial has the full guide, including how to steam out set-in creases and revive a crushed piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
What macrame projects can you make for Halloween?
The four on this page cover most of it: a 3D ghost sculpture, a knotted pumpkin, a lace cover that wraps over a real pumpkin, and a mummy. All four use 3mm cotton cord and mostly double half hitch knots, so making one makes the next considerably faster.
What is the easiest macrame Halloween project?
The pumpkin cover. It wraps over a real pumpkin, so the pumpkin does the shaping and there is no 3D technique to learn. About an hour, and forgiving enough to make with children.
Do I need special supplies for macrame Halloween decorations?
No. One roll of 3mm cotton cord covers all four projects, plus a little black 1.5mm string for the ghost's face. The 3D pieces need a crochet hook for tucking ends inside, and that's the only tool beyond scissors and a tape measure.
How do macrame Halloween decorations hold their shape?
The knots do it. Rounds that can no longer expand outward curve inward instead, and 3mm cotton is stiff enough to hold that curve — so there's no wire, stuffing or glue in any of these. The ghost tutorial explains the principle in full.
How long does a macrame ghost take to make?
One to two hours. The expansion rounds go quickly; the eight rounds that form the dome are the slow part because it's the same knot repeated until the shape suddenly appears.
How long does a macrame pumpkin take?
Two to three hours. The endless falls ribs are the slow part. It's the longest of the four projects, and the one that reads as autumn rather than strictly Halloween.
Which macrame Halloween project should I make first?
If you've never knotted in the round, start with the ghost — its tutorial explains the underlying technique, which then applies to the pumpkin and the mummy. If you have an hour and a real pumpkin, the cover is faster and needs no 3D skills at all.
Are these macrame projects beginner-friendly?
The pumpkin cover is genuinely beginner level. The ghost, pumpkin and mummy are intermediate — the individual knots are basic, but working in the round and controlling the shape take patience. If you've made a flat wall hanging, they're a reasonable step up.
What cord should I use for Halloween macrame?
3mm single-strand cotton for all four. White or cream for ghosts and mummies; rust, burnt orange or mustard for pumpkins. Undyed natural cotton works for everything and reads as autumn rather than Halloween specifically.
Can I make these with kids?
The pumpkin cover and the mummy, yes. The cover is fast and the mummy's wrapping stage is deliberately uneven, so imperfect hands make it better rather than worse. The ghost and pumpkin involve a lot of repetitive knotting that most children lose patience with.
How do I store macrame Halloween decorations?
On top of the box, never underneath — weight flattens a hollow knotted shape and cotton holds the crease. Stuff each piece lightly with tissue for storage, use a rigid box rather than a bag, keep it somewhere dry indoors, and keep the box closed so dyed cord doesn't fade.
My macrame decoration got crushed in storage. Can I fix it?
Almost always. Stuff it firmly with tissue paper, leave it two or three days, and the cord relaxes back into shape. For set-in creases, steam gently at arm's length and let it dry stuffed. The full guide is in the pumpkin tutorial.
How long will macrame Halloween decorations last?
Years, if stored properly. Cotton cord doesn't degrade the way plastic decorations crack or fade — the main risks are crushing, damp and light, all of which storage solves. It's the main argument for making them rather than buying.
Can I sell macrame Halloween decorations I make?
Yes. Double half hitch, lark's head and endless falls knots are traditional techniques rather than proprietary designs, so anything you make is yours to sell. Please just don't redistribute the tutorials themselves.
Where can I find the full tutorials?
The ghost and the pumpkin both have complete written tutorials with every step photographed, linked from their sections above. The pumpkin cover and the mummy are video-led for now.
What Will You Make Next?
There's a particular moment that arrives about ten minutes after you finish a piece. Halloween is over, the box is in the cupboard, and you're wondering what to make between now and Christmas
That moment is worth paying attention to, because it's usually where things stall — and almost never for the reason people assume. It isn't that the interest fades. You've just spent an afternoon proving otherwise. It's that deciding what to make next turns out to be harder than making it. So the cord goes back in the drawer, and three months later it's still in the drawer.
I built the Bochiknot community to close that gap. Every month there's a new pattern and a full video tutorial already waiting for you, alongside everything published before it. The deciding is done. You just turn up and make.
Tier 1: Mini-Macramé Creations
or $6.40 a month paid annually
A new project waiting for you at the start of every month.
- A new #MakingMacrame pattern and full video tutorial, monthly
- The complete pattern archive, open whenever inspiration strikes
- Cancel or change tier at any time
For: makers who simply want to keep going, without spending an evening hunting for what's next.
Tier 2: Mastering Macramé Skills
or $10.40 a month paid annually
The month you stop following patterns and start reading them.
- Everything in Tier 1
- A 300+ video library of lessons, guidance and challenges
- Technique breakdowns that explain why a knot behaves as it does
For: makers who've noticed they can follow a pattern but couldn't yet write one. This is where that changes — and it's the tier most people choose.
Tier 3: Macramé Masterpiece Lite
or $23.20 a month paid annually
Everything above, and the cord arrives at your door.
- Everything in Tier 2
- A curated, ready-to-make kit delivered every third month
- No sourcing, no half-used rolls piling up
For: makers who love the making and have quietly grown tired of the shopping for it.
Which one, honestly?
If what you want is a next project each month, Tier 1 does exactly that and nothing more — and there is nothing wrong with wanting only that.
Tier 2 is for a different itch. If these projects left you wondering how you'd design your own seasonal shapes — a bat, a cat, an acorn — that's the beginning of designing rather than following, and the video library is built around exactly that question. It's the tier most people settle on
Tier 3 is for the maker who has done enough projects to know that sourcing cord is the part they like least.
All three can be paid annually for around 20% less, and Patreon lets you change tier or leave whenever you like — there's nothing to cancel by email and no minimum term.
Keep Learning with Bochiknot
Macramé Ghost Sculpture
The full written tutorial — 12 steps, plus how macramé holds a 3D shape.
Read the ghost tutorial
Macramé Pumpkin
The full written tutorial — 12 steps, plus how to store seasonal macramé.
Read the pumpkin tutorial
Double Half Hitch Tutorial
The knot behind three of these four projects, shown at every angle.
Learn the double half hitch
3D Macramé Christmas Tree
Once Halloween's over — same technique, repeated as tiers.
Make the 3D tree
Cord Measuring Calculator
Scaling any of these up or down? This works out the lengths.
Open the calculator
About Nicole Woo
Nicole is the founder of Bochiknot and has been teaching macrame for 5+ years to a community of 100,000+ makers across YouTube, Instagram and Patreon. She specialises in beginner-friendly cotton cord projects that feel approachable no matter your skill level.
Join her on Patreon for exclusive patterns, or explore individual ebook patterns.
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