Once an iconic 70’s trend, modern macramé is making a comeback and taking over your Instagram feeds in the form of hippie chic plant hangars, wall hangings, chairs, lampshades, and more. Today, we’re going to teach you how to make a simple coaster with two easy knots: the larks head and the square knot. Once you master these two moves, you’ll be on your way to being a macramé master.
For this little DIY you’ll just need 8 4mm cords cut to 4 feet each, a pair of scissors and a hanger. Let’s get started!
STEP 1: Attach Cord to Hanger using a Larks Head Knot
The larks head knot is essential for starting off most macramé projects. You’ve probably used this knot many times in your life and just never knew it had a name! To start off, take one of your pre-cut cords and fold it in half. Place the center-folded section over and under the hangar, as shown above. Place your two “tails” through the center-folded section. Pull tight, congratulations you’ve completed your first larks head knot! Repeat this step with your remaining 7 cords until all 8 cords are attached to your hangar.
STEP 2: Create a Square Knot
You’ll notice you have 16 “tails” to work with after attaching your 8 cords using a larks head. Separate these 16 tails into 4 groups of 4. With your first 4 strands, cross the left tail over the middle two tails, to make the figure “4.” Place your right tail over this figure 4, as shown above. Cross your right tail under the two middle tails and up through the left loop. Pull all four tails tight! Repeat these steps, switching the right and left tails to reverse the knot. Tada, you’ve just completed a square knot!
STEP 3: Complete your first row of Square Knots
Repeat Step 2 with the remaining 12 tails to complete your first row of 4 square knots, as shown below.
STEP 4: Create Alternating Square Knots The good news is, you already know how to do this! When starting your second row of square knots, leave your 2 outmost left and right tails to the side, and only use your inner 12 tails to create 3 square knots. Below shows a completed second row of alternating square knots, creating a lace effect. When you create the following third row, you’ll use all 16 tails again to create 4 square knots, similar to your first row.
STEP 5: Finish it off Cut Excess cord on the side you have just finished, leaving about an inch. Next, cut the cord that’s looped around the hanger, leaving an inch on that side as well. Take a comb to the excess cord to unravel it a bit and turn it into fringe. You just made a coaster! Way to go. Get yourself a cold beverage and break that baby in.
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