How to Make a Macrame Phone Bag With an Adjustable Strap
Last updated: August 9, 2026
A Note from Nicole
A macrame phone bag is the project I recommend when someone wants to make something they'll genuinely use. It's small enough to finish in an afternoon, it holds a phone plus a card and a key, and it goes hands-free — which is the whole point.
What makes this version different from most phone bag patterns is the adjustable strap. Two sliding barrel knots let you shorten it to a shoulder bag or lengthen it to a crossbody, after the bag is finished. Most patterns lock you into one length at the start.
It's built almost entirely from one knot — the triangle knot — repeated in rows. Once that knot clicks, the remaining 40-odd repetitions are genuinely relaxing. I used 4mm rhinestone cord here because the shine suits a bag you'll wear out, but plain cotton works identically if you'd rather practise first.
A macrame phone bag (also called a macramé phone purse, crossbody phone bag, or knotted phone pouch) is a small hand-knotted bag sized to carry a phone and a few essentials, worn over the shoulder or across the body. This pattern is built from repeated triangle knots worked into a net panel, then folded and closed to form the bag body, and finished with an adjustable strap that slides through two barrel knots so the length can be changed after the bag is complete. It uses 10 × 100 cm lengths of 4mm cord, takes about 1–2 hours, and finishes at roughly 6 inches wide by 8 inches long — large enough for most phones including Pro Max and Ultra models.
Quick Answer
- What you'll make: A macrame phone bag with an adjustable crossbody strap. Fits a phone plus a card and a key.
- Skill level: Beginner to intermediate. One main knot (the triangle knot) repeated across 14 steps.
- Time: 1–2 hours, split across three natural phases you can pause between.
- Cord: 10 × 100 cm of 4mm cord. Rhinestone cord for shine, cotton to practise.
- Finished size: About 6 inches wide × 8 inches long.
- The differentiator: Two sliding barrel knots make the strap adjustable after the bag is built.
🎥 Watch the video first. The triangle knot in Step 2 is the one motion the whole bag depends on, and it is considerably easier to see than to read.
What's in this tutorial
- What is a macrame phone bag?
- Materials you'll need
- Cord cut lengths
- Knots you'll use
- Will it fit your phone?
- Project details at a glance
- Watch the video tutorial
- Phase 1: Build the front panel (Steps 1–6)
- Phase 2: Form the bag body (Steps 7–10)
- Phase 3: Strap and finishing (Steps 11–14)
- Ways to customize your phone bag
- Where to wear it
- Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
- Try these next
- FAQ
What is a Macrame Phone Bag?
A macrame phone bag is a small knotted bag sized specifically to carry a phone, worn on a shoulder or crossbody strap. It sits in the same category as the fabric phone pouches that became popular for festivals and travel, except this one is knotted by hand from cord rather than sewn.
The body is built from triangle knots — a compact decorative knot that produces an open net when repeated in offset rows. That net is what makes the bag light and flexible while still holding shape. The panel is knotted flat, folded in half, closed along the sides, then given depth with additional rows.
This particular pattern adds an adjustable strap, which is unusual for phone bags. Two barrel knots slide along the strap cords, so the length is changeable after the bag is complete. If you want a fixed-strap version with a fringed, festival-leaning look instead, the square-knot boho phone bag covers that variation.
Materials You'll Need
4mm Rhinestone Cord
The cord used here. Limited edition — Moonlit Pearl, Sparkling Champagne, Onyx Shimmer.
💡 Two things not pictured: a satin pouch insert around 6 × 8 inches (entirely optional — the net is tight enough to hold a phone on its own, but a liner helps if you want to carry loose small items), and a hot glue gun for securing the top cords at Step 12. Both are easy to source locally.
Not sure which cord to choose? Read our complete guide to selecting macramé cord. Supplies also ship fast from our Amazon US and Amazon Canada storefronts with Prime.
Cord Cut Lengths (Cut These Before You Start)
Cut everything first. This bag uses ten identical lengths, which sounds simple until you're mid-row and short one cord. Five minutes of cutting saves a frustrating restart.
| Cord | Length | Quantity | Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4mm cord | 100 cm (39") | 10 strands | Bag body and strap — the entire project |
Total: 10 metres of 4mm cord. A 100m roll makes about 10 phone bags.
Knots You'll Use
Three knots, and one of them does almost all the work:
- Triangle knot — the foundation of the entire bag. Repeated in offset rows to build the net panel. If you learn nothing else from this project, learn this one.
- Alternating triangle knot — the same knot, offset by one position, which is what creates the diamond pattern rather than straight columns.
- Barrel knot — used twice, on the strap, to make it adjustable. This is the knot that slides.
Will It Fit Your Phone?
The finished bag runs roughly 6 inches wide by 8 inches long, and the net has some give. Here's how that measures against current phones:
| Phone | Approx. size | Fit |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 / 15 / 14 | 5.8" × 2.8" | Comfortable, room for a card and key |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max / 15 Pro Max | 6.4" × 3.0" | Fits well — the standard spacing accommodates it |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 / S25 | 5.8" × 2.8" | Comfortable |
| Galaxy S24 / S25 Ultra | 6.4" × 3.1" | Fits — widen spacing slightly at Step 4 if you use a thick case |
| Phone in a bulky or wallet case | varies | Add about 1/4" to your spacing at Step 4 |
The reliable method: use your actual phone as the template at Step 4 rather than trusting the measurements. Lay it on the panel and space the sections to match. And test the fit again at Step 10, before the final row — that's the last point where adjusting is easy.
Project Details at a Glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Skill level | Beginner to intermediate ★★★☆☆ |
| Time | 1–2 hours (about 1 hour once familiar) |
| Finished size | ≈ 6" wide × 8" long |
| Cord | 10 × 100 cm of 4mm cord (10 m total) |
| Structure | 3 phases · 14 steps · 3 knots |
| Strap | Adjustable via 2 sliding barrel knots |
Watch the Video Tutorial
The triangle knot and the sliding barrel knots both make more sense demonstrated:
▶ Watch full-screen on YouTube →
Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial
Fourteen steps across three phases. Each phase ends at a natural stopping point if you need to put it down.
Build the Front Panel
Steps 1-6 create the flat knotted panel that becomes the front and back of the bag. This is the bulk of the knotting.
Cut and fold the first cords
- Start with 2 cords at 100 cm each.
- Fold both in half and match the ends together. The fold marks the midpoint, which becomes the center of your first knot unit.
- Tape or pin the cords down at that midpoint so they stay put while you work.
- With rhinestone cord, tape tends to work better because the cord is firm and doesn’t always sit as neatly under pins.
Make the first triangle knot
- Form the first triangle knot by bringing the left cord under the right cord to create a loop, then pass the right cord under, up through the top opening, and through the side loop.
- Pull the knot gently at first to shape it, then tighten it fully once everything is aligned.
- Remove the tape and check that all cord ends are even. If needed, loosen the knot slightly, adjust the cords, and retighten before continuing.
Repeat until you have 4 triangle-knot sections
- Make the same unit 3 more times.
- At the end of this stage, you should have 4 separate triangle-knot sections.
- These will become the foundation row of the Macrame Phone Bag.
Space the sections using your pouch or size guide
- Lay the 4 sections side by side and spread them out evenly.
- If you’re using the satin pouch as a template, place it underneath or on top to help judge the width.
- The spacing used here is about 1 inch between knots.
- That gap matters because it sets the overall width of the bag and determines how open the net pattern will look.
Join the 4 sections into a wide panel
- Tape two neighboring sections in place and use the inner cords to tie an alternating triangle knot between them.
- Before tightening completely, check that the spacing is consistent, both sides are even, and the knot sits at the same height as the others.
- Repeat the process to connect the remaining sections until you have one continuous row.
Build the diamond pattern
- Leave the far left and far right cords aside, then tie 2 alternating triangle knots in the next row and 1 alternating triangle knot centered below them to form an inverted triangle.
- Flip the work over and repeat the same pattern on the opposite side: 3 knots, then 2 knots, then 1 center knot.
- When both sides are finished, the panel should form a symmetrical diamond shape, which creates the balanced front structure of the Macrame Phone Bag.
Front panel done
Six steps in and the hardest part is behind you — the triangle knot is now muscle memory. What you have is a flat diamond-patterned panel.
From here it becomes three-dimensional.
Form the Bag Body
Steps 7-10 fold the panel, close the sides and add rows for depth. The flat panel becomes a three-dimensional bag.
Fold the panel to form the bag
- Fold the panel upward along the middle row, aligning the knots on the front and back sides to begin forming the bag body.
- Adjust the fold as needed so the knots line up evenly and the shape looks symmetrical from both sides.
- Shaping the bag at this stage helps position the side openings correctly and ensures a more balanced finished design.
Close the upper sides
- On one side of the folded panel, use the top left pair of cords to tie an alternating triangle knot, then repeat with the top right pair.
- Separate the outer cords from those new knots and use the next inner pairs to tie another alternating triangle knot on each side, keeping them aligned with the existing rows.
- Repeat the same shaping on the opposite side. When finished, each side should have a pattern of 4 knots, 3 knots, 4 knots, and 3 knots.
Add side knots about 1 inch down
- Use the remaining cord pairs on the far left and far right edges to tie a triangle knot about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the top edge.
- Adjust each knot until the spacing looks even and aligns naturally with the surrounding rows.
- These final side knots help close the structure and give the Macrame Phone Bag a cleaner, more stable shape.
Knot full rows around the bag
- Make a full row of alternating triangle knots around the bag, then turn the work and repeat on the opposite side so the row continues all the way around.
- Add a second full row beneath it, then pause to test the fit and check that the bag is shaping evenly.
It's a bag now
The panel is folded, the sides are closed and the rows are in. Slide your phone in and check the fit before moving on.
Only the strap and finishing left.
Strap and Finishing
Steps 11-14 build the adjustable strap and finish the top edge cleanly.
Make the adjustable strap
- Cut 2 cords measuring 100 cm each and use them to create an adjustable strap with a barrel knot at each end.
- To make a barrel knot, fold one cord back on itself, wrap the loose end around both cords 3 times, pass the end back through the wraps, and tighten until the knot is neat but still able to slide.
- Repeat the same process on the opposite end, leaving about 4–5 inches of overlap between the cords. When finished, the two barrel knots should slide against each other, allowing the strap length to be adjusted.
Group and glue the top cords
- At the top of the bag, divide the cords into 4 groups: 2 groups on the front and 2 groups on the back, with 4 cords in each group.
- Working one group at a time, gather the cords neatly and apply a small amount of glue about 2 inches (5 cm) below the top edge.
- Press the 4 cords together so they bond into a single anchored section and hold their shape.
- Use only enough glue to secure the cords. Any visible glue will be covered later, so there's no need to apply a thick layer.
Trim the Excess Ends and Attach the Strap
- Once the glued cord groups have dried, trim the excess cord ends just above the glued sections on all four grouped areas.
- Keep the longer leftover strands after trimming. These will be used later to cover the glued sections for a cleaner finish.
- Place one strap end between the grouped cords on one side of the bag and secure it with glue above, below, and along the sides to create a strong attachment.
- Repeat on the opposite side, then check that both strap ends are positioned evenly before the glue sets.
Cover the Glue and Secure the Strap
- Use the longest leftover cord scraps to wrap around each glued attachment point, pairing longer and shorter pieces as needed for even coverage.
- Start at the top and wrap snugly around the section, working from front to back. Add another scrap if needed until each attachment point is fully covered.
- Continue until all four glued sections are neatly wrapped, creating a cleaner and more polished finish.
- To prevent the adjustable strap from unraveling, add a tiny dab of glue to each barrel knot end and tuck it into the knot. Avoid getting glue on the sliding cord so the strap remains adjustable.
Your phone bag is done
Fourteen steps, one main knot, and a strap you can adjust whenever you like. Load it up and wear it.
Share it — tag #BochiknotBag on Instagram. Nicole reads them.
Ways to Customize Your Phone Bag
The pattern takes modification well. Seven variations worth trying once you have one finished:
Where to Wear It
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
| Problem | Cause and fix |
|---|---|
| Panel comes out crooked | One of the four sections in Step 3 was tighter than the others. Compare all four side by side before joining — a section that's off by a few millimetres compounds across the panel. |
| Bag is too small for the phone | Spacing at Step 4 was too tight. Use your actual phone as the template rather than the stated 1 inch. If you catch it before Step 10, loosen the row spacing to recover some width. |
| Knots sit at different heights | Check alignment before tightening, not after. Once a triangle knot is pulled fully tight it's difficult to reposition without loosening its neighbours too. |
| Diamond pattern looks uneven | The offset in Step 6 wasn't consistent. Flip the work over and compare both sides — the two halves should mirror each other exactly. |
| Strap won't slide | The barrel knots at Step 11 are too tight. They need to grip enough to hold position under weight but still move by hand. Loosen and retest with the bag loaded. |
| Cord slips under pins | Rhinestone cord is firm and doesn't sit well under pins. Use tape instead — washi tape holds without residue. |
| Top edge looks messy | Glue was applied outside the cord bundle at Step 12, or trimmed before it set. Keep glue inside the bundle, let it cure fully, then trim and wrap to cover. |
| Bag stretches out with use | Normal for an unglued net under weight. The glue join at Step 12 is what prevents it — don't skip it on a bag you plan to actually carry. |
Try These Next
🔗 More from the bags collection:
- The boho square-knot phone bag — the fringed, fixed-strap take on the same idea
- DIY macramé strap — strap variations for any bag you make
- Macramé crossbody bag — the full-size version when a phone bag isn't enough
- Prada net bag dupe — same net logic, designer silhouette
🎨 Want a PDF pattern? Browse the macramé pattern library.
Prefer to buy finished? Handmade pieces are on our Etsy shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is this macrame phone bag?
Roughly 6 inches wide by 8 inches long once finished. That comfortably fits current phones including the iPhone Pro Max and Galaxy Ultra sizes, plus a card and a key. The net has some give, so a slightly larger phone still works.
Is this macrame phone bag beginner-friendly?
Yes. It's built almost entirely from one knot — the triangle knot — repeated in rows. The challenge is consistency across 14 steps rather than technical difficulty. If you've made a keychain or a small wall hanging, you're ready for this.
Do I have to use rhinestone cord?
No. This version uses 4mm rhinestone cord for structure and shine, but standard 4mm cotton macramé cord works identically for every step. Only the finish changes. Cotton is the sensible choice for a first attempt.
Do I need the satin pouch insert?
No — it's optional. The net is tight enough to hold a phone on its own. The pouch is useful if you want to carry loose small items like coins or lip balm that could otherwise slip through the openings.
Can I adjust the strap length?
Yes, and this is the main feature of the pattern. The strap runs through two sliding barrel knots, so you can shorten it to shoulder length or lengthen it for crossbody wear at any time — including after the bag is completely finished.
What if my phone doesn't fit?
Test the fit before the final body row at Step 10. If it's too tight, loosen the spacing between knots to gain width. The reliable approach is using your actual phone as the template at Step 4 rather than relying on the stated 1-inch spacing.
How much cord does a macrame phone bag need?
Ten 100 cm lengths of 4mm cord — 10 metres total. A standard 100m roll makes about ten phone bags.
How long does it take to make?
One to two hours for a first attempt, split across three phases. Once you're familiar with the triangle knot it drops closer to an hour.
What knots do I need to know?
Three: the triangle knot (which builds the entire bag body), the alternating triangle knot (the same knot offset to create the diamond pattern), and the barrel knot (used twice, on the strap, to make it adjustable).
Do I have to use glue?
It's strongly recommended at Step 12. Knots alone will loosen over months of carrying weight, and the glue join is what keeps the top edge secure. Keep it inside the cord bundle where it won't show, and cover it at Step 14.
Can I make this without a hot glue gun?
You can substitute a tight wrapped knot at the top, but expect it to loosen with regular use. If you plan to carry the bag daily rather than display it, the glue join is worth doing.
Will the bag stretch out over time?
The net gives slightly under weight, which is normal for macramé. The glue join at Step 12 prevents the top from spreading, which is where most stretching would otherwise happen. A finished bag holds its shape well with everyday use.
Can I make it bigger to fit more than a phone?
Yes — widen the spacing at Step 4 to about 1¼ inches and add an extra row at Step 10. For anything substantially larger, the crossbody bag pattern is a better starting point than scaling this one up.
What's the difference between this and your other phone bag pattern?
This one uses triangle knots and has an adjustable strap. The boho phone bag uses square knots, has a fixed strap and a fringed edge. Different knot, different silhouette — pick based on which look you prefer.
Can I wash a macrame phone bag?
Spot clean with a damp cloth. Avoid submerging a glued bag, since prolonged soaking can weaken the join. Cotton versions handle a gentle hand wash better than rhinestone, which should be spot cleaned only.
Can I sell macrame phone bags I make from this pattern?
Yes. Triangle and barrel knots are traditional techniques, not proprietary designs — the bags you make are yours to sell. Please don't redistribute the tutorial itself.
Where can I buy the cord Nicole uses?
The 4mm rhinestone cord and standard 4mm cotton cord are both on Bochiknot.com, and supplies also ship from our Amazon US and Amazon Canada storefronts with Prime.
Is a macrame phone bag strong enough to actually carry a phone?
Yes. 4mm cord is substantial, and the triangle knot net distributes weight across many points rather than a few. Provided the glue join at Step 12 is done properly, the bag handles a phone plus small items daily without issue.
Keep Learning with Bochiknot (Bags & Purses)
You Might Also Be Interested In
📸 Made one? Show us.
Tag #BochiknotBag on Instagram — Nicole loves seeing which cord colour makers choose, and whether they go shoulder or crossbody.
About Nicole Woo
Nicole is the founder of Bochiknot and has been teaching macramé 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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