Macrame Embellishments: Small Details That Make Your Design Yours

Learn how to choose and attach beads, sequins and feathers, with close-up examples to help you make a pattern your own.

Nicole Woo
Macrame teacher & founder of Bochiknot · Updated September 2026

Macrame embellishments are decorative additions you attach to your knotwork. Beads add shape and a focal point, sequins catch the light, and feathers bring movement. Choose a detail that suits your cord and project, then secure it with the appropriate knot or woven attachment.

Hi, I’m Nicole. You do not have to change every part of a pattern to make it feel personal. Start with one detail you love. In this guide, we’ll look at how to choose it, where to place it and how to attach it.

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Which Macrame Embellishment Should You Choose?

Think about what you want the eye to notice. Try one type first, then repeat it only where it helps the design.

Beads

Use a bead to mark a center point or repeat an accent between sections of knotwork. Check the hole size before threading.

Add Beads →

Sequins

Add small points of reflected light to a woven section. Match the sequin opening to your attachment cord or thread.

Add Sequins →

Feathers

Finish hanging cords with a soft accent. This technique uses purchased feathers, rather than feathers made from cotton cord.

Attach Feathers →

Cord And Materials To Have Ready

You only need the embellishments for the technique you choose. Follow your project’s supply list for cord thickness, quantities and lengths.

• Macrame cord in the thickness and construction specified by your pattern.
• Large-hole wooden beads for bead accents. Check the current product measurements and test the actual cords together.
• Sequins if you are adding shine.
• Craft feathers if you are following the feather attachment technique. Check whether your chosen feathers are natural or synthetic.
• Fine cotton cord or suitable thread for wrapping and weaving. A 2mm option is not suitable for every small sequin opening; test the fit first.
• Macrame scissors, a small piece of tape, and a crochet hook or weaving needle if needed for threading.

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How To Add Beads To Macrame

To add a bead, knot up to its position, thread the intended cord or cords through the hole, then secure it with the next knot in your pattern. The knot below must be large enough to stop the bead slipping over it.

What Size Beads Do You Need For Macrame?

Bead diameter and hole diameter are different measurements. A large bead can still have a tiny hole. The outside size affects how the bead looks; the hole determines whether your cords fit through.

Do not assume a 4mm hole will comfortably accept every 4mm cord, or that doubling a cord measurement guarantees a fit for two strands. Cord firmness, the taped tip and the opening’s finish all affect threading. The reliable check is a sample using the exact bead and cord bundle.

Step 1: Prepare The Bead Position

Work the pattern up to the bead. Separate the strand or strands that should pass through it. In the mandala mirror example, the beads sit within the leaf-shaped knotwork.

Step 2: Thread The Cord Through

Wrap a small piece of tape tightly around the cord ends to form a narrow tip, then guide them through the bead. A suitable hook can help pull the cord through, but do not force a bulky tool into a tight opening.

Step 3: Secure The Bead And Continue

Slide the bead into place and make the next knot specified by the pattern. Check its position and make sure it cannot slip over the securing knot before continuing.

Watch The Mandala Mirror Example

See how bead placement works within a full design in Nicole’s original mandala mirror tutorial. Follow that tutorial’s materials for the complete project; the shop beads above are an option for your own designs, not a claim of an identical replacement.

How To Add Sequins To Macrame

Use sequins where the light can reach them: a short woven row or a small accent area is a good place to start. Choose openings that accept your attachment cord or thread without tearing or bunching.

You’ll need: sequins, a separate attachment cord or thread that fits the openings, scissors and a weaving needle if required.

Step 1: Plan The Row

Knot to the area you want to decorate. Lay out a few sequins to decide on spacing before attaching them. Check the design from a little distance so the shine supports the knotwork.

Step 2: Add The Attachment Cord

Introduce a separate cord at the start of the sequin area, following the project tutorial. The original written example uses a 50cm cord for its section; your length depends on the row, spacing and finishing allowance.

Step 3: Alternate Sequins And Weaving

Thread on a sequin, weave the attachment cord through the next knot, then add the next sequin. Repeat across the planned row. Keep enough ease for the surface to remain flat.

Step 4: Finish And Check The Row

Secure and conceal the attachment ends using the finishing method shown in your project tutorial. Check the row before trimming: sequins should stay in position without pulling the fabric into a curve.

How To Attach Feathers To Macrame

This method attaches a purchased feather to a hanging cord with a gathering knot. It is different from making a macrame feather by knotting and brushing cotton cord.

You’ll need: feathers, the hanging cord in your project, fine wrapping string and scissors. Choose a feather with enough firm stem to hold inside the wrap.

Step 1: Decide On The Hanging Length

Work to the attachment point. Hold the feather against the cord and check how far it hangs below the knotwork. Compare neighboring feathers before securing them.

Step 2: Make A Gathering Knot

Place the feather stem alongside the cord. Lay a loop of fine string against both, wrap the working end neatly around the stem and cord, then pass that end through the loop. Pull the opposite end to draw the loop under the wraps. Keep the wrap snug without crushing the stem.

Step 3: Check Before Trimming

Gently test the attachment. If the feather slides, undo the wrap and reposition it over a firmer part of the stem. Trim the wrapping ends only once the attachment holds, then repeat for the remaining feathers.

The original floral tutorial below shows this attachment within a complete project.

Make The Details Feel Intentional

Try this small design exercise before attaching everything:

1. Choose a focal point. Place one bead or accent where you want the eye to land.
2. Repeat one detail. Try the same finish or color in a few positions rather than adding several unrelated materials.
3. Leave some knotwork clear. Space around an accent makes it easier to notice.
4. Photograph two arrangements. Compare a simpler version with one that has more accents, then choose the one that supports the shape of your project.

For your next step, explore macrame knots and design techniques. If your embellishment changes the cord path, use the cord measuring guide before cutting a new set.

Macrame Embellishments: FAQs

Select a question to see the answer.