It was the wall hanging that pulled macramé back into the spotlight and shed the stigma of 70s-style owls and lampshades. Since then, macramé has become the hallmark of boho style. 

Ultimately, nothing embodies the bohemian spirit more than making something bespoke with your own hands. From intricate, textured designs that adorn walls to delicate jewelry and chic bags, anything is possible with these modern macramé patterns.

Macramé Patterns for Beginners

As a macramé novice, it’s a bit too overwhelming to independently follow a pattern. If you’re just getting started with macramé, you’ll get to grips with your knots much faster if you can learn from a video tutorial and copy the directions you see on-screen. 

Just keep in mind that not all macramé patterns for beginners are created equal: you want something that uses common knots, gives simple instructions, and will teach you how to make something you’d be proud to display. 

Macramé Wall Hanging Patterns 

Give a plain wall a dash of charm by bedecking it with a hand-made wall hanging. These easy macramé patterns are simple enough for beginners to follow, and all you need is a rod and some neutral cord.

The biggest challenge will be choosing between macramé wall hanging patterns. Would you like to make the classic boho design that drapes down the wall, or a decorative mandala ring that follows a circular macramé pattern?

A composite image of two types of macramé wall hanging patterns. The left shows a boho-style wall hanging, while the right shows a mandala wall hanging.
Do you prefer a boho-style macramé wall hanging or a mandala ring? Stills from Skillshare Classes Create a Macramé Wall Hanging Using 5 Easy Knots (left) and Learn How to Make Your Own Macramé Mandala Wall Hanging (right).

Boho Wall Hanging Pattern

The most iconic style is the boho macramé wall hanging pattern that combines rows of knots with hanging cords and twists. It’s an ambitious but achievable project for beginners, as you can learn how to make a macramé wall hanging with just five knots.

Mandala Wall Hanging Pattern

An alternative design that creates a very different look is the macramé mandala wall hanging pattern. You’re much less likely to see these embellishing walls, making it a more desirable option if you’re looking to go beyond the classic boho vibe. Beginners will be able to make a macramé mandala wall hanging with just two knots—but if you’re more experienced with macramé, you can push yourself by introducing more knots or accent colors.

Macramé Plant Hanger Patterns

A macramé plant hanger made with white cord that’s holding a leafy, potted plant.
A macramé plant holder is an achievable pattern for beginners to follow. Still from Skillshare Class Learn How to Make This Easy But Beautiful Detailed Macramé Plant Hanger!

When you think of macramé plant hangers, you might be picturing the 70s style thick stripes of knots that obscure the plant. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case. 

There are plenty of macramé plant hanger patterns that celebrate the plant instead of hiding it, and can be easily completed by beginners. For example, when you make a macramé plant hanger, you’ll notice that starting with spiral knots at the top creates a beautiful, detailed shape that makes the whole thing feel more refined—and you can still leave plenty of large gaps to tease leaves through. It’s a great example to demonstrate why macramé is considered one of a few easy crafts to master.

Macramé Bookmark Patterns 

You can elevate the joy of crafting by gifting an item you’ve spent hours shaping with your own hands. Macramé bookmark patterns are an ideal way for beginners to start: they’re simple enough to follow, and make for wonderful presents. It’s worth learning how to make a macramé bookmark so you can give one to an avid reader, or turn it into a keyring for non-bookworms.

Macramé Candle Jar Patterns

A macramé cover over a candle jar sat beside two potted cactuses. The candle is unlit, so you can see the detail of the knots at the top of the jar and the fringe hanging down the bottom half.
This macramé candle jar looks beautiful on the side even when it’s unlit. Still from Skillshare Class Macrame Candle Jar Using Only One Basic Knot.

If you’re a big fan of candlelight, you should consider making a macramé candle jar. The cord softens the beams that burst from the tea light and scatters beautiful shadows across the surface. Plus, there’s a simple macramé candle jar pattern that only uses one knot, so it’s one of the easiest things to make from macramé.

Macramé Vase Patterns

A bunch of pink carnations are sat in a glass jar that’s hidden behind a macramé textile. The top third is made of knots, while the bottom two thirds is made of fringing that hangs to the bottom. The vase is placed on a gray couch.
You’d never know the flowers are being kept in an old jar, as the macramé pattern upcycles it into a beautiful vase. Still from Skillshare Class Macramé Vase - super easy DIY tutorial for beginners.

Spruce up your glass containers and transform them into beautiful boho vases with just two simple knots. Once you’ve mastered how to follow the beginner’s macramé vase pattern, you can make your own variations by adding in different knots to introduce more shapes.

Macramé Jewelry and Accessory Patterns

What better way to display your crafting prowess than literally adorning yourself with your own handcrafted macramé jewelry and accessories. From earrings and bracelets to functional and stylish bags, there’s a macramé pattern to suit your style. 

Macramé Bracelet Patterns

Friendship bracelets are an adorable thing to make and gift, and there are plenty of macramé jewlry patterns for you to choose from. Beginners can use a square knot to macramé a bracelet, while more experienced crafters can learn how to make a bracelet with charms.

Macramé Earring Patterns

A macramé feather made of white cord. The edges have been brushed to create a fringe effect and trimmed to a feather shape.
With a slight modification, this feather can become a macramé earring. Still from Skillshare Class Learn How to Make a Macramé Feather Wall Hanging.

If you know how to make macramé feathers, you can adapt the design to create your very own macramé earring pattern. 

You’ll need to start by looping the main cord onto a small metal hoop that you can attach to an earring once you’re finished. Make sure you use a thinner cord and don’t tie too many square knots, or you’ll end up with a pair of gigantic earrings. 

Macramé Choker Patterns

Create a more striking impression with a prominent choker. If you want to really impress, you can learn how to make a macramé choker that’s embellished with a charm. Embrace the boho vibe with neutral colors and a nature-themed charm, like a seashell, leaf or crystal. 

Macramé Bag Patterns

A composite image of two macramé bag patterns. The left shows a macramé wine tote bag holding a bottle of San Pellegrino water. The right shows a macramé crossbody bag made with white cord and fringing detail along the edge of the closed flap.
Will you make a functional tote bag, or a crossbody handbag? Stills from Skillshare Classes Macramé Wine Bottle Tote and Learn How to Make Your Own Beautiful Macramé Crossbody Bag.

Show off your crafting credentials by making your own macramé bag. The best place to start is with a macramé wine bottle tote, as it’ll teach you how to get to grips with knotting the netting. When this is mastered, you could craft your own reusable tote bag—and you won’t need to rely on macramé bag patterns to do it. 

For something with a little more finesse, you could make your own beautiful macramé crossbody bag. This bag pattern only uses a few simple knots, but they need to be executed perfectly, so it’s more appropriate for advanced crafters. 

Where To Find Macramé Patterns

If you’re feeling confident and ready to follow a pattern instead of a tutorial, you’ll be pleased to learn there’s a plethora of places where you find patterns for macramé. 

Find Free Macramé Patterns Online

Most people head online, as there are lots of websites where you can get free macramé patterns. A quick Google search will bring up millions of web pages offering free patterns, or browse thousands of pins on Pinterest to find more. 

Buy Macramé Patterns Online

For something more specialist or refined, you’ll need to buy a more modern macramé pattern. There are thousands of patterns for sale on Etsy, for example. It’s also one of the best websites to make money selling macramé, so it’s a good one to get familiar with. 

Flip Through Crafty Magazines

Another place to find patterns for macramé is in specialist books and magazines. These publications will outline how to tie knots and give you written instructions and patterns you can follow at your own pace. 

Make Your Own Macramé Pattern

If you can’t find the design you’d like, you may have to make your own macramé pattern! It’s possible to manipulate a knitting pattern generator to create a design that you can follow. If you prefer to put pen to paper, you could always draw out your design on graph or grid paper and create your own pattern by hand. 

Master The Mode For Macramé

As these macramé patterns show, it’s possible to craft accessories you can don from head to toe. The only thing standing between you and a closet full of bespoke textiles is some macramé cord, plenty of patience, and some time. 

Written By

Laura Nineham

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