getting started with macrame supplies and tutorials

Want to know my favorite macrame supplies AND tutorials for beginners? Better grab your coffee and a comfy chair, ’cause here goes…

If you’re eager to jump on the macrame bandwagon but not quite sure where to start, look no more. And, by all means, don’t go searching through your mom’s dusty books from the seventies for guidance. Today’s macrame is refreshingly different. Trendy, yes, but also artistically executed with a modern approach. 

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macrame supplies

If you ever plan to weave a wall hanging, you’ll be faced with the dilemma of where to hang your work in progress. I’ve tried every feasible tactic, from hanging rings on doorknobs to balancing poles across the backs of my dining room chairs. I have 3 suggestions for you:

Improvise.  Tie a rope from each end of your pole, drape it over the back of a door and fasten it to the knob.

S hooks.  Two little hooks would have saved me a lot of aggravation, if I had known about them sooner. Hang them over a door, or use them in a variety of ways to hold your macrame pole. These are the ones I suggest.

Clothes rack. If your interest in macrame is more than a fleeting curiosity, you may want to invest in a metal rack. Paired with S hooks, it provides a perfect workplace for your projects, big or small.

Here are some of my favorites:

1. Heavy duty steel garment rack, rod extends to 75″, 200 lb wt capacity, castors, $44.95
2. Songmics rolling clothes rack, both height & width adjustable, castors, 66 lb wt capacity, $29.99 
3. Simple Houseware commercial garment rack, width extends to 75″, 250 lb wt capacity, castors, $49.87
4. Single Rail ballet bar clothing rack – Pipeline Collection, castors sold separately, 220 lb wt capacity, $92.50 (I love the rustic look of this one & the height adjusts up to 72″)

I’m continuously on the hunt for cording and rope at economical prices. Currently, these are my go-to places for rope basics:

Cotton rope. For small and medium projects, I think this 3/16″ clothesline rope at Amazon can’t be beat. It works well for planters and small to medium sized wall hangings.

Nylon rope.  For macrame projects that will be used outdoors, I like this nylon rope from Amazon. 

Polypropylene cording. To restring lawn chairs and other similar outdoor projects, I like Bonnie Craft Cord by Pepperell. For lawn chairs, you will also need 2 size Q crochet hooks. I prefer this brand. When I’m unable to find the colors I want on Amazon (love their prices!), I check out Pepperell Crafts. They carry a wide range of cording and macrame supplies.

Colored rope.  I’m still looking for more sources in a variety of colors, but I do like this cotton rope from MacrameModern very much. The colors are lovely, and the ends fray beautifully for tassels. 

(For more detailed information on selecting the right type of cording, read my post Tips for Planning Your Next Macrame Project.)

Now, what do you say we move on to some great beginner tutorials? 

plant-hanger tutorial for the beginner

Before you think, “yeah, yeah, just what I need, another plant hanger,” take another look at the photo above. These are not typical planters you’d find hanging in your grandmother’s den. They are easy enough if you are a beginner but funky enough to satisfy your inner artist. Just look at that adorable dip-dyed cording! 

Supply sources I trust, with the best prices:

• 50 yards 3mm cotton rope
• 2″ brass ring
• Blue dye (optional)

wall hanging for beginners

Want something a little more exotic than a plant hanger? This sweet wall hanging uses only 2 knots! It looks impressive, but there’s no need to be intimidated.

Supply sources I trust, with the best prices:

• One dowel rod (the one I used is 7/8″ circumference and 28″ long)
• Two ceramic drawer knobs to use as finials
• Five 100-foot rolls of cotton clothesline (3/16″) (found the best price here)
• Masking or painter’s tape
• Scissors

minimalist wall decoration

Yep, I know. This project could technically be called a planter, but it’s so much more than that! It can hold a flower pot or a mason jar. And mason jars can hold just about anything… flowers, pens & pencils, keys, you name it. This wall decor also makes a fun door decoration. This summer, I used it on the front door of my condo and kept it filled with hydrangeas I picked from outside.

I also love the fact that this is the PERFECT project for learning Half Hitch Knots. And trust me, before advancing to more sophisticated weavings, you’ll need to become fluent in Half Hitch Knots. This is my favorite knot, as it adds more fluidity and ambiance than any other technique to wall hangings. 

Supply sources I trust, with the best prices:

• one 8″ gold metal ring
• 10 strands of macrame cord, measuring 10 feet each
• 1 terra cotta pot, no more than 4″ diameter (or mason jar)

There you have it. Get your supplies. Select a project. And start tying knots!