How To Set Up Macramé Knots For Handcrafters

Macramé may no longer have the immense popularity it once enjoyed during the 1960s and 1970s, but this handcrafting trend is coming back these days. Macramé knots are used in a wide variety of ways: small tables, jewelry, plant hangers, vest, and many more. Most macramé projects use two types of knots: the square knot and the half knot.
Square Knot

Here are the easy steps in creating the square knot:

1. Set up the knot by cutting your anchor cords and knot them together. Next, tape the knot to the table. Make sure that the anchor cords are in the middle, with one knotting cord each on the left and right sides.

2. Create an L-shaped knot by crossing the left knotting cord over the anchor cords. Place the left knotting cord under the right knotting cord.

3. Place the right knotting cord under the anchor cords and up through the corner in the L-shape. To tighten the knot, pull on the left and right knotting cords. At this point, the left knotting cord has become the one on your right.

4. Bring the right knotting cord over the anchor cords and then place it under the left knotting cord. This step is similar to step number 2, except that it is done in the opposite direction.

5. Bring the left knotting cord under the anchor cords and up through the corner in the L-shape. To make the knot tighter, pull the two knotting cords.

6. Now, you already have a square knot, which is actually made of two half knots in left and right sides. To make more square knots, you will have to repeat all the steps above.

Half Knot

A knot that is circular in shape, the half knot is typically used for necklaces and friendship bracelets. It has a side that twists around the piece as each knot is created. Half knots can also be used in combination with square knots.

1. Set up the knot. The procedure is the same as the setup of a square knot. Just make sure that the anchor cords are in the middle area and that it has one knotting cord on every side.

2. Cross your left knotting cord over the anchor cords. Then put it under the right knotting cord. This will create an L shape.

3. Put the right cord under the anchor cords and bring it up through the corner in the L shape. Pull on both knotting cords so that your knot will be tightened.
4. The knotting cords have now switched directions, so the left knotting cord has become the right cord and vice versa. Hold on to the left knotting cord using your right hand.

5. At this point, you have already created a half knot. To create more half knots, continue all the four steps above. After you have made about five half knots, you will see the twisting effect of the knots.

Once you learn how to set up these macramé knots, you can start creating your own fancy bracelets, keychains, necklaces, and other décor items.