5 Beautiful Macrame Christmas Ornaments You’ll Make Once And Hang Every Year
Hi, I’m Nicole. A handmade ornament gives you something to look forward to making—and something familiar to unpack next Christmas. Here are five of my DIY macrame Christmas ornaments: a beaded tree, Santa gnome, mini wreath, star and leaf-wing angel. Choose the one that makes you want to pick up your cord.
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Which Macrame Christmas Ornament Will You Make?
Why These Five?
I chose these five for the different details they bring to a Christmas tree: beads that catch the light, a gnome’s soft beard, a ribbon bow, an open star and carefully knotted leaf wings. You can keep the colors coordinated while giving each ornament its own character. They also offer different ways to practice, so you can choose a project that fits your confidence today.
For a coordinated handmade Christmas tree, repeat one or two cord colors across different shapes. If you are choosing your first project, start with the technique you want to practice rather than the ornament with the most detail.
| Project | Experience | Choose It For | Follow Along | Approximate Finished Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Tree With Beads | Advanced beginner | For practicing symmetry and adding beads | Written guide + video | Estimated: 3 in wide × 6 in long (7.6 × 15.2 cm), excluding hanging loop |
| Santa Gnome | Beginner video tutorial | For a character ornament with a soft beard | Video tutorial | Estimated: 3 in wide × 5 in long (7.6 × 12.7 cm), excluding hanging loop |
| Mini Wreath With A Bow | Beginner with DHH practice | For a repeated knot pattern and a ribbon finish | Written guide + video | 3 × 6 in (7.6 × 15.2 cm) |
| Star With A Tassel | Intermediate-friendly | For practicing turns and mirrored knotwork | Written guide + video | 3 × 6 in (7.6 × 15.2 cm) |
| Angel With Leaf Wings | Advanced beginner to intermediate | For detailed wings and a softly combed dress | Written guide + video | 4 in wide × 5.5 in long (10 × 14 cm) |
Tree and Santa gnome sizes are estimates excluding the hanging loop. The other sizes come from the individual patterns, which do not specify whether hanging loops are included. Actual size varies with cord thickness, knot tension and fringe trimming.
“Beginner” still leaves room for practice. The star and leaf-wing angel involve more changes of direction, so give yourself time to pause and compare your cord positions.
Gather Your Cord And Materials
Choose your ornament before cutting. These are supplies used across the collection, not a shopping list you need to buy in full.
- 3mm single-strand cotton cord for the tree, gnome, wreath and star. Select the thickness specified by your chosen pattern.
- 2mm single-strand cord for the leaf-wing angel and as a fine-string option where the tutorial allows it. A 1.5mm string is not identical to 2mm cord.
- Wooden beads for character details. Match the bead size and hole to the tutorial; the tree uses pearl beads instead.
- Ribbon for the mini wreath’s bow and a 2-inch wooden ring for the leaf-wing angel.
- Macrame scissors and a measuring tape for preparing and finishing your cord.
- An optional macrame board with T-pins to hold your work steady. Refer to each tutorial for other finishing tools.
The ribbon link below is an Amazon affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Knots To Practice Before You Start
The Double Half Hitch knot shapes several ornaments in this collection. Practice a short row in each direction and notice which cord you hold as the anchor. Then review the Lark’s Head and Reverse Lark’s Head knots for attaching cords.
Individual tutorials demonstrate their Overhand and Gathering knots where needed. For a complete starting point, use our beginner’s guide to macrame. You do not have to learn every knot before choosing your project.
A REFERENCE BESIDE YOUR CORD
Keep Your Next Knot Within Reach.
Use the free 50 Macrame Knots & Sennits guide when a pattern introduces a technique you want to practice.
1. Macrame Christmas Tree Ornament
A small tree on your Christmas tree feels wonderfully playful. This design builds a tapered silhouette with Double Half Hitch rows, pearl beads and a gathered fringe trunk. Choose it if you enjoy watching a shape appear a little at a time.
Experience: Advanced beginner.
Estimated finished size: 3 inches wide × 6 inches long (7.6 × 15.2 cm), excluding the hanging loop. Actual size varies with cord thickness, knot tension and fringe trimming.
Main supplies: 3mm single-strand cotton cord, fine cotton string and six large-hole pearl beads. The original materials list allows 3–4mm main cord; use the tutorial’s 3mm baseline when following its cuts.
My tip: Compare the two sides after each beaded section. It is easier to adjust an uneven row before you add the next cords.
The linked written guide and video cover this beaded tree. It is a different project from our cinnamon-stick tree ornament.
2. Macrame Santa Gnome Ornament
If you want something with a little personality, make the Santa gnome. The small wooden nose and soft cord beard give it a cheerful character. Red and natural cord suit a traditional Christmas tree; choose softer colors for a quieter finish.
Experience: Beginner video tutorial.
Estimated finished size: 3 inches wide × 5 inches long (7.6 × 12.7 cm), excluding the hanging loop. Actual size varies with cord thickness, knot tension and fringe trimming.
Main supplies: 3mm macrame cord, 1.5mm fine string and a wooden bead. Our 2mm cord is a thicker alternative to the fine string; check its fit before substituting. Browse our wooden beads and match the size and proportions shown in the video.
My tip: Watch the materials and cutting instructions before starting. Fine string and the main body cord have different jobs, so keep them separate on your work surface.
Follow the full YouTube tutorial for this project’s cutting lengths and assembly. The video is the primary pattern resource for this entry.
3. Mini Macrame Wreath Ornament With A Bow
Three lengths of cord become a little wreath, finished with a bow. You do not need a ring: the repeated U-shaped knotwork forms the circle. This is a useful choice if you want to settle into one repeated movement and then learn a neat join.
Experience: Beginner with DHH practice.
Main supplies: 3mm single-strand metallic cord, 1–2mm string and ribbon. Use 4.5 metres of main cord, a 25 cm fine-string allowance and a 10-inch ribbon.
My tip: Count thirteen U-shaped repeats before joining the ends. Lay the strip flat first so you do not close it with a twist.
The original pattern lists approximately 3 × 6 inches (7.6 × 15.2 cm); it does not specify whether the hanger and bow are included. Use the full tutorial’s cutting list before making a set.
4. Macrame Christmas Star Ornament
The open centre and long tassel give this macrame star ornament a light, delicate look. Its points come from changing the direction of your Double Half Hitch knots. There is no ring or frame underneath, making the knotwork itself the detail to enjoy.
Experience: Intermediate-friendly.
Main supplies: 3mm single-strand cotton cord and fine string for the hanger. Allow 3.75 metres of main cord plus 25 cm of hanging string. The video uses 1.5mm string; our 2mm option is a slightly thicker alternative.
My tip: Build one side slowly, then mirror it. Before gathering the tassel, check that the points are balanced and the centre still sits open.
The earlier pattern lists approximately 3 × 6 inches (7.6 × 15.2 cm), with hanger inclusion unspecified. Beginners should practice DHH direction changes before attempting the star.
5. Macrame Christmas Angel With Leaf Wings
Look closely at the wings: each side is made from three small knotted leaves. A wooden ring supports the design, a bead forms the head, and the loose strands become the angel’s dress. Choose this ornament when you want a project with more shaping and finishing detail.
Experience: Advanced beginner to intermediate.
Main supplies: 2mm single-strand cotton cord, one 2-inch wooden ring and one large-hole wooden bead. The pattern uses 9.9 metres of cord. Check that both head-cord ends fit through your bead.
My tip: Complete one leaf before working through the other five. Keep the loose ends untrimmed until both wings are finished; those strands become the dress.
The listed finished size is approximately 4 inches wide × 5.5 inches long (10 × 14 cm). Hanger inclusion is not specified, and trimming changes the final length.
Make A Christmas Collection That Feels Like You
Start with one finished ornament before cutting cords for a batch. You will learn how tightly you knot, how long you like the hanger and how much fringe you want to leave. Those small decisions make a matching set easier.
- For your tree: repeat natural cotton, a warm metallic accent or one favorite ribbon color across the designs.
- For handmade gifts: choose an ornament for each person, then attach it to the wrapping with its hanging loop.
- For a quiet crafting evening: prepare the cords first and work through one stage at a time. Put the movie on after you have learned the unfamiliar section.
Ready to try another shape? Explore our holly wreath ornament, the cinnamon-stick tree ornament, or the full macrame Christmas tutorial collection.
Macrame Christmas Ornaments FAQs
Select a question to expand the answer.
Are These Macrame Christmas Ornament Tutorials Free?
Yes. All five projects link to free Bochiknot video tutorials. The tree, wreath, star and angel also have linked written guides. Cord, tools and optional memberships are separate.
Which Macrame Christmas Ornament Should I Make First?
The Santa gnome is presented as a beginner tutorial. The mini wreath is another starting option after practicing Double Half Hitch knots. Save the mirrored star and detailed leaf-wing angel until you are comfortable changing knot direction.
What Cord Do I Need For Macrame Christmas Ornaments?
These projects use single-strand cotton cord, but their thicknesses differ. Most use 3mm main cord with fine string for finishing; the leaf-wing angel uses 2mm cord. Follow each project’s own cutting list rather than using one thickness for every design.
Do I Need A Ring For Every Ornament?
No. The mini wreath and star take their shape from knotwork alone. The leaf-wing angel uses a 2-inch wooden ring. Check the materials for the project you choose before buying supplies.
Can I Use These Ornaments As Gift Toppers?
Yes. Attach a finished ornament to the ribbon around a wrapped gift using its hanging loop. Keep a fringed star or angel on top so the tassel stays smooth.
How Much Cord Do I Need For All Five?
There is no single cutting list for the whole collection. For reference, the mini wreath uses 4.5 metres of main cord plus fine string, the star uses 3.75 metres plus its hanger, and the leaf-wing angel uses 9.9 metres of 2mm cord. Check the tree and gnome instructions before adding their amounts, and allow extra for practice.
How Should I Store Handmade Macrame Ornaments?
Keep the ornaments dry and lay them flat in a box. Smooth tassels before packing and avoid crushing bows or leaf wings beneath heavier decorations. Gently straighten loose fibres when you unpack them.
MAKE SOMETHING NEXT MONTH, TOO
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A NOTE FROM YOUR MACRAME TEACHER
Made By You. Shared With Love.
You do not need to make all five. Choose one ornament, give yourself room to learn, and let that first finished piece be enough. Which one feels like your kind of Christmas—the tree, gnome, wreath, star or angel? Tell me in the comments. I’d love to know what you make.
Much love,
I thought about it for a long time; what you do to your work that is totally uniqe and I just found out; you make them like music! A tone can be a tone, but also much more. It can speake to you. I see what you do. But I also hear it! Lovely!
//Charlotta, Sweden
Your designs are by far, the best out there!
Thankyou for you crafty ideas and motivation.
Wishing you and your little family a joyous festive season.
Enjoy the snow while weswim in hot weather
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