12 EASY Steps to Your First Macrame Keychain with Beads

Make Your Own Gorgeous Beaded Macramé Keychain with These 12 Simple Steps

I still remember the excitement of making my first macrame keychain with beads—it was the perfect little project to ease into the world of macrame, and it’s still one of my favorites.

This DIY beaded keychain is a fantastic starting point for beginners because it’s quick, simple, and allows you to experiment with different knots and bead combinations.

Each one you make can be a little piece of wearable art that reflects your personal style.

In this tutorial, I’ll guide you step-by-step to create a beautiful, beaded macrame keychain that’s both stylish and practical.

Not only is it a great project to get hands-on with knots, but it’s also one you can finish in one sitting and instantly put to use!

If you’re hanging it on your keys, adding it to your bag as a cute accessory, or gifting it to someone special, this little keychain is sure to brighten up your day.

By the end, you’ll have a lovely handmade piece to carry with you, and you’ll be ready to take on even more creative macrame projects.

Let’s get started!

 

 

Macrame Knots You Need to Know

Let’s talk about the knots—because they’re truly the heart of macrame!

For this keychain project, you’ll want to get comfortable with a few essential knots: the Double Half Hitch Knot and the Lark's Head Knot.

Don’t worry if you’re new to these; I’ll guide you through each one!

The Double Half Hitch Knot is like your secret weapon in macrame.

This knot is incredibly versatile and works beautifully for creating everything from simple lines to intricate patterns.

Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to use it in so many projects, building on your designs with ease.

The Lark’s Head Knot is where you’ll start, as it’s perfect for securing your cords.

Think of it as your project’s foundation—it’s reliable, sturdy, and helps hold everything together.

This knot is ideal for attaching your cords to a key ring, dowel, or any structure you’re working with, giving you a stable base for your keychain.

Practice these knots a few times, and don’t stress if they don’t look perfect right away.

With each knot, you’ll feel more confident, and soon enough, you’ll be ready to explore even more intricate designs.

Interested in More Macrame Knots?

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, we should review a few important terms used in macrame.

This will help you understand the techniques more easily, follow patterns confidently, 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 solid 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 cords 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 are often used intentionally as decorative elements like frays or tassels in your design.

Macrame Keychain with Beads : Cords and Materials Needed

 

Let’s talk about the essentials you’ll need to bring your macramé keychain to life!

A few carefully chosen materials will make all the difference, so let’s start with the star of the show: the cord.

For this project, I went with a 3mm single-strand cord in Silver Fox from Rainbow Macrame Cord Collection.

It’s soft, sturdy, and holds knots beautifully, giving your keychain a lovely, polished look.

Choosing the right cord is key here—something soft yet durable that will keep your design looking great for ages.

Other Supplies

I added 6 large-hole beads (at least 5mm holes) to give the keychain extra texture and that unique, boho touch.

The beads are totally optional, though, so if you don’t have any on hand, don’t stress!

I love adding them because they make the design pop, but the keychain looks fabulous with or without them.

You’ll also need a lobster clasp or keyring to attach the cords to.

Once your cords are secured, you’re all set!

No other supplies are needed, so you can focus on enjoying the process and creating something beautiful.

Gather your materials, and let’s get started on this fun, stylish keychain!

Essential Macrame Tools:

You will also need some essential tools:

•      Scissors
•      Measuring Tape

Macrame Keychain with Beads Details 

Skill Level:

• Beginners

Completed Size:

• Approximately 3” x 6” 

Completion Time:

• 1-2 hours depending on skill level

Materials Needed (for 1 unit):

• 3-4mm macarme cord
• 1x Lobster Clasp / Key Ring 
• 6 x Large Hole Beads (at least 5mm hole)

Cord Lengths Needed:

• 1 x 90cm (35”)
• 4 x 100cm (39”)

Macrame Keychain with Beads | Video Tutorial

Macrame Keychain with Beads | 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:

• Fold the 90cm cord in half.
• Attach it to the keyring with a Lark's Head knot.

Step 2:

• Thread a bead onto both cord ends.

Pro Tip: Tape the ends together to make threading easier, then remove the tape.

Step 3:

Attach two 100cm cords to the left side and two to the right with a Reverse Lark’s Head and Half Hitch knot:

• Start with a Reverse Lark's Head knot.

Step 4:

• Using the two middle cords, make a diagonal row of 4 Double Half Hitch (DHH) knots to the left.

Step 5:

• With the middle-right cord as an anchor, make 3 diagonal DHH knots to the right.

Step 6:

• Create another row of DHH knots below, on both sides.

Step 7:

• Thread a bead onto the far-right cord, then use this cord as a working cord to make a DHH knot with the cord underneath.
• Repeat on the left side.

Step 8:

• Thread a bead through the two middle cords.

Step 9:

• Close the inner diamond shape by making 2 DHH knots to the right on the left anchor cord and 3 DHH knots to the left on the right anchor cord.

Step 10:

• Finish the outer diamond with a diagonal row of DHH knots on both sides.

Step 11:

• Thread a bead onto the far-right cord, then use it as an anchor for a diagonal row of DHH knots to the left.
• Repeat on the left side.

Step 12:

• Trim the fringe to your desired length and shape. 

And there you have it—your very own macramé keychain with beads!

This little project is a perfect way to practice your knotting skills while creating something fun and functional.

If you’re adding it to your keys, clipping it to a bag, or giving it as a thoughtful handmade gift, this keychain is sure to stand out.

I hope you enjoyed this journey into macramé and feel inspired to take on more projects.

Remember, macramé is all about creativity, so don’t be afraid to experiment with colors, beads, and styles.

If you’d like more inspiration, tips, or to deepen your macramé skills, be sure to check out our Macramé Journey page for more tutorials and ideas. 

Happy knotting!