3 Essential Macramé Knots Every Beginner Must Learn (Step-by-Step)
Updated April 2026 · 8 min read · By Nicole Woo
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The essential macramé knots (also called the foundational macramé knots or beginner macramé knots) are three core tying techniques — the Lark's Head Knot, the Square Knot, and the Double Half Hitch Knot — used to create decorative knotted textiles in projects like wall hangings, plant hangers, bags, and keychains. Together, these three macramé knots cover 90% of all patterns and are considered the essential starting point for any beginner.
Here's a truth about macramé that will simplify everything: 90% of all macramé projects use just 3 knots.
The Lark's Head Knot, the Square Knot, and the Double Half Hitch. That's it. Once you can tie these three reliably, you can make wall hangings, plant hangers, bags, keychains, and hundreds of other projects. Everything else in macramé is a variation or combination of these basics.
This guide walks you through each knot step-by-step — with tips, common mistakes to avoid, and suggestions for which projects to make once you've got each one down.
📌 How to use this guide: Read through the instructions once first, then watch the video tutorial, then try the knot with cord in your hands. Most people can't learn knots from text alone — the video and hands-on practice are both essential.
In This Guide
What You Need Before You Start
To practice these three knots, you need almost nothing:
- Cord: 3mm or 4mm single-strand cotton cord, cut into 1.5–2m lengths for practice
- Mounting point: A wooden dowel, metal ring, or even a piece of rope tied between two chair backs
- Somewhere to hang it: An S-hook over a clothing rack — anything at eye level. Or on a flat working table.
- Sharp macramé scissors
That's genuinely all you need. Many beginners overthink the setup. Just hang a dowel somewhere and start tying.
→ Or skip the guesswork entirely — our Welcome Kit includes everything you need to start
Knot 1: The Lark's Head Knot
Can't see the video? Watch on the Bochiknot YouTube channel — 100,000+ subscribers.
What is the Lark's Head Knot?
The Lark's Head Knot is how you attach cord to a dowel, ring, or other anchor. It's not really a decorative knot — it's the starting point of almost every single macramé project. Without knowing this knot, you can't start anything.
Every cord in a wall hanging was attached with a Lark's Head. Every plant hanger starts with Lark's Heads on a ring. It's the foundation everything else is built on.
How to tie a Lark's Head Knot
- Fold your cord in half to find the midpoint. You now have two equal lengths hanging from the fold.
- Place the folded loop over the dowel from front to back, so the loop sits on top of the dowel and the two cord ends hang down in front.
- Pull the two loose ends through the loop from front to back.
- Pull both ends down firmly to tighten the knot against the dowel. The knot should sit flush and snug — not loose and sliding.
Reverse Lark's Head Knot (important variation)
Also known as the Cow Hitch Knot, it is essentially the Lark's Head knot viewed from the opposite side. Since these two common macramé knots are identical in structure, deciding whether to use the Lark's Head or Reverse Lark's Head boils down to personal preference and the look you want for your project.
Common mistakes
⚠️ Knot too loose: Always pull both ends firmly downward after completing the knot. A loose Lark's Head will slide along the dowel when you start knotting.
⚠️ Loop on the wrong side: If your knot looks twisted or backwards, you've placed the loop back-to-front. Untie and re-do it — it only takes 5 seconds.
⚠️ Uneven cord lengths: After mounting, both halves of the cord should hang at equal lengths. If they don't, the knot is off-centre on the fold.
🎯 Practice target: Mount 10 cords in a row on your dowel using Lark's Heads. They should all sit at the same height with even tension. This is literally the first step of every wall hanging pattern.
Projects that use this knot: Every macramé project — it's the starting point for all of them. See the full Lark's Head Knot tutorial →
Knot 2: The Square Knot
Can't see the video? Watch on the Bochiknot YouTube channel — 100,000+ subscribers.
What is the Square Knot?
The Square Knot is the heart of macramé. It creates that distinctive knotted texture seen in every wall hanging, the spiral pattern in plant hangers, the woven panels in bags. Learn this knot and you have the single most important tool in macramé.
A Square Knot uses 4 cords: two outer "working cords" and two inner "filler cords." The fillers stay in place — the outer cords do all the movement.
How to tie a Square Knot
Start with 4 cords hanging vertically. Label them Left, Inner Left, Inner Right, Right (L, IL, IR, R).
- Take cord L and cross it over the two filler cords (IL and IR), laying it horizontally to the right.
- Take cord R and cross it over cord L from the right side, then pass it behind both filler cords and up through the loop created on the left.
- Pull L and R away from each other horizontally to tighten. This completes the first half of the Square Knot (a Half Knot).
- Now take cord R (which is now on the left side) and cross it over the fillers to the right.
- Take cord L (now on the right) and cross it over cord R, then pass it behind the fillers and up through the left loop.
- Pull both cords firmly to tighten. The completed Square Knot should sit flat and symmetrical.
Memory trick
Some crafters remember it as: "Left over, right through — right over, left through." The first half always goes one direction; the second half mirrors it.
Alternating Square Knot
The Alternating Square Knot staggers rows by 2 cords, creating a beautifully woven diamond effect. It's a go-to pattern in macramé — perfect for wall hangings, plant hangers, bracelets, and more.
How to Tie an Alternating Square Knot Pattern
- Tie two square knots side by side using groups of 4 cords each.
- Directly below and between them, tie your next square knot using the 2 inner cords from each previous knot to create the alternating effect.
Common mistakes
⚠️ Knot is lopsided or twisted: You've tied two first-halves instead of first then second. Double-check the direction before each step.
⚠️ Filler cords are moving: Hold or pin the filler cords in place. They should remain stationary — only the outer cords move.
⚠️ Uneven spacing between knots: Slide each new Square Knot up to a consistent distance from the previous one before tightening. Use a ruler if needed.
⚠️ Cords pulling at an angle: Your working cords should pull directly sideways (horizontal), not diagonal. Keep tension even on both sides.
🎯 Practice target: Tie a column of 8 Square Knots down your mounted cords with even spacing. Then try alternating Square Knots (shift the groupings by 2 cords for the second row) — this creates the classic diamond pattern in macramé wall hangings.
Projects that use this knot: Wall hangings, plant hangers, bags, keychains, seasonal décor — almost everything. See the full Square Knot tutorial →
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Knot 3: The Double Half Hitch
Can't see the video? Watch on the Bochiknot YouTube channel — 100,000+ subscribers.
What is the Double Half Hitch Knot (DHHK)?
The Double Half Hitch Knot is one of macramé's most essential knots. It's the foundation for countless patterns — from clean horizontal rows to chevrons and flowing curved shapes. Each working cord wraps twice around an anchor (carrier) cord.
In this tutorial, we cover all three directions: horizontal, diagonal, and vertical.
Variation 1: Horizontal Double Half Hitch Knot
The horizontal Double Half Hitch creates clean, straight lines across your work — perfect for borders, section dividers, and rows of texture in wall hangings, plant hangers, and bags.
How to tie a Horizontal Double Half Hitch
- Lay a horizontal anchor cord across your vertical working cords.
- Take the far left working cord and loop it over the anchor cord, then back through to form the first half-hitch.
- Bring the same cord back over and through the loop a second time to complete the Double Half Hitch.
- Pull both cords to tighten. Repeat across the row for each working cord.
Variation 2: Diagonal Double Half Hitch Knot
The Diagonal Double Half Hitch creates angled lines that add movement and flow — perfect for chevron patterns, leaf shapes, and geometric designs in wall hangings and feathers.
- Lay a diagonal anchor cord at your desired angle across your vertical working cords.
- Take the first working cord and tie a half-hitch over the anchor cord.
- Bring the same cord back over and through the loop to complete the second half-hitch.
- Pull both cords to tighten. Repeat along the anchor cord, following the diagonal angle.
Variation 3: Vertical Double Half Hitch Knot
The Vertical Double Half Hitch creates neat, column-like lines — ideal for ribbed effects, decorative columns, and surface patterns in wall hangings, table runners, and woven pieces.
- Hold a vertical anchor cord straight down across your horizontal working cords.
- Take the first working cord and tie a half-hitch over the anchor cord.
- Bring the same cord back over and through the loop to complete the second half-hitch.
- Pull both cords to tighten. Repeat down the column until you've reached your desired length.
With all three variations — horizontal, diagonal, and vertical — you now have the full range of the Double Half Hitch. Combined, they form the backbone of some of macramé's most stunning and intricate designs.
Common mistakes
⚠️ Pattern line isn't straight: You're letting the carrier cord angle change between knots. Hold it firmly at a consistent angle — pin it through a macramé board to hold it in place.
⚠️ Only one hitch per cord: It's called "Double" Half Hitch for a reason — two wraps per working cord, every time. One hitch will slide.
⚠️ Working cords too loose: Pull each working cord firmly after both hitches before moving to the next cord. Loose knots make the pattern line look sloppy.
⚠️ Carrier cord is moving: Hold the carrier in your non-dominant hand and don't let it slack. The tighter you hold the carrier, the cleaner the result.
🎯 Practice target: Tie two diagonal lines crossing in a V-shape to create one chevron. This is the basis of every chevron and diamond pattern in macramé.
Projects that use this knot: Wall hangings, chevron designs, the Fishtail Keychain, Daisy Keychain, detailed decorative pieces. See the full Double Half Hitch tutorial →
Practice Projects: What to Make With These 3 Knots
Now that you know the knots, here's what to make with them — roughly in order of difficulty:
| Project | Knots Used | Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Minute Plant Hanger | Overhand, Square Knot, Gathering Knot | 10–15 min | ★☆☆ |
| Daisy Keychain | Lark's Head, Half-Hitch, DHHK, Gathering Knot | 20–30 min | ★★☆ |
| Fishtail Keychain | Lark's Head, Double Half Hitch, Gathering Knot | 30 min | ★☆☆ |
| Feather Wall Hanging | Lark's Head, Square Knot, Rose Knot | 1–2 hrs | ★☆☆ |
| 6-Knot Plant Hanger | HHK, LHK, DHHK, Berry Knot, Square Knot, Gathering Knot | 30–45 min | ★★☆ |
| Net Bag | Lark's Head, Square Knot, HHK, Berry Knot, 4-ply Braid, Gathering Knot | 2–3 hrs | ★★☆ |
| Half Mandala Wall Hanging | Lark's Head, Square Knot, Double Half Hitch | 3–5 hrs | ★★★ |
→ See all 12 free beginner project tutorials
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 3 most important macramé knots for beginners?
The 3 most important macramé knots for beginners are the Lark's Head Knot (used to mount cord onto a dowel or ring at the start of every project), the Square Knot (the most versatile knot in macramé, used in virtually every project type), and the Double Half Hitch (used to create straight, diagonal, or curved lines of texture). Together, these three knots cover 90% of all macramé patterns.
How long does it take to learn macramé knots?
Most beginners can pick up all three basic macramé knots in a single sitting of 1–2 hours. The Lark's Head and Square Knot tend to click quickly, while the Double Half Hitch may take a few practice sessions due to its three variations. With 20–30 minutes of daily practice, most people feel fully confident within one week.
What is the easiest macramé knot for complete beginners?
The Lark's Head Knot is the simplest — it's a 3-step fold-and-pull. After that, the Square Knot is the most important to learn, and most beginners get it within an hour. Start with the Lark's Head to mount your cords, then practice Square Knots in a column before moving to the Double Half Hitch.
What is the difference between a Square Knot and a Half Knot?
A Half Knot is the first step of a Square Knot — just one pass of the outer cords over the filler cords. A Square Knot is two Half Knots tied in opposite directions, creating a flat, symmetrical knot. Tying multiple Half Knots in the same direction creates a Spiral Knot (Half Knot Sennit). Always complete both passes to make a true Square Knot.
What is the Lark's Head Knot used for in macramé?
The Lark's Head Knot is used to mount working cords onto a dowel, metal ring, rope, or other anchor at the very start of a macramé project. It is the first knot tied in virtually every wall hanging, plant hanger, bag, and keychain. The Reverse Lark's Head (also called Cow Hitch) is the same knot placed from the opposite direction, creating a slightly different look on the front face.
Why do my macramé knots look uneven?
Uneven knots are almost always caused by inconsistent tension. Pull each knot with equal force on both sides before moving to the next. Try working at eye level (hang your dowel at chest height rather than flat on a table) — gravity helps keep tension consistent. Use a ruler to maintain consistent spacing between knots while you're learning.
Do I need to learn any other knots for macramé?
Not at first. The Lark's Head, Square Knot, and Double Half Hitch will take you through dozens of beginner and intermediate projects. Additional knots like the Alternating Square Knot, Berry Knot, and Gathering Knot are variations. Learn the basics first, then expand your repertoire naturally as projects call for it.
What cord should I use to practise macramé knots?
Use 3mm or 4mm single-strand natural cotton cord. It's soft enough to work with for extended practice sessions, easy to untie when you make mistakes, and knots clearly so you can see your work. Avoid fine string (too fiddly) or very stiff cord (too hard to manipulate) when you're just starting out.
How much cord do I need for macramé?
A general rule is to cut each working cord 4× the finished length of your project. For Square Knot-heavy work, 4× is usually enough. For Double Half Hitch patterns, plan for 5–6×. For example, a 30cm keychain typically needs cords cut to 120–150cm. See our macramé cord measuring guide for exact calculations per project.
Can I use yarn instead of macramé cord?
You can use yarn to practise hand movements, but it's not ideal for finished projects. Yarn stretches and compresses under tension, making knots look inconsistent and loose. It's also difficult to unravel once tightly knotted. For actual projects, use dedicated macramé cord — single-strand natural cotton in 3mm or 4mm is the best choice for beginners.
What projects can a complete beginner make with just 3 macramé knots?
With just the Lark's Head, Square Knot, and Double Half Hitch, a beginner can make: daisy keychains, simple plant hangers, feather wall hangings, fishtail keychains, mini wall hangings, and small net bags. A Daisy Keychain or 10-minute plant hanger is the ideal first project — you'll practise all three knots in under 30 minutes. See our 12 free beginner project tutorials for step-by-step guides.
Can I watch video tutorials for these macramé knots?
Yes — Bochiknot has step-by-step video tutorials for the Lark's Head Knot, Square Knot, and Double Half Hitch on YouTube. Watching a knot tied in real time is often easier than following written steps, especially for the Double Half Hitch. We recommend reading the instructions first to understand the concept, then watching the video to see the technique in motion. The Bochiknot YouTube channel has 100,000+ subscribers and 100+ free tutorials.
Ready to Put These Knots to Work?
The fastest way to learn macramé knots is to actually make something with them. Pick one project from the table above and you'll have all three knots down by the time you finish.
If you want everything sorted for you, our macramé Welcome Kit includes pre-measured cord, a wooden dowel, a pattern, and a video tutorial — designed specifically to teach you these knots through a real project.
→ Shop the macramé Welcome Kit
→ Shop 3mm cord for practice
→ See 12 free beginner projects
→ Complete guide to macramé cord & materials
→ 18 tips to improve your macramé skills
About Bochiknot
Bochiknot has helped over 100,000 people learn macramé through free YouTube tutorials and leads a community of 40,000+ crafters on Facebook. Our premium macramé cord, starter kits, and patterns are trusted by beginners and experienced makers across the US, Canada, and Australia — and are available on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca. Read our story →
Continue Your Macramé Journey
- 🎨 12 Free Macramé Projects for Beginners — Step-by-Step Tutorials
- 📐 How to Measure Cord for Macramé — the Complete Cutting Guide
- 🧵 The Complete Guide to Macramé Cord, Tools & Materials
- 🪢 Lark's Head Knot — Full Tutorial with Variations
- 🪢 Square Knot — Full Tutorial with Alternating Pattern
- 🪢 Double Half Hitch — Full Tutorial: Horizontal, Diagonal & Vertical
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