Macramé

Inspiration & Exploration

Macramé is knotted rope art that shows up everywhere from bohemian wall hangings to plant holders to outdoor hammocks — and Utah's outdoorsy, handmade culture makes it a natural fit. Start on Pinterest and search "macramé wall hanging" and "macramé plant hanger" to build a sense of what's possible. Watch **Soulful Notions** and **Bochiknot Macramé** on YouTube — both have free beginner-to-advanced content that's genuinely fun to watch. Browse r/macrame on Reddit to see what people make and ask beginner questions without any judgment. Check out the **Craft Lake City** festival in Salt Lake, which regularly features local fiber artists selling macramé work. Notice what scales, textures, and styles you're most drawn to. You're ready for the next step when you can name three macramé pieces you'd love to make and describe what appeals to you about each one.

Tools & Techniques

The core supplies are refreshingly simple: cotton rope (3mm and 5mm single-strand are most versatile), a wooden dowel or branch, scissors, and a mounting hook or rack. Watch **Bochiknot's** "macramé basics" playlist on YouTube — she covers the four essential knots: square knot, half hitch, spiral/half square knot, and lark's head. The free website **macrame.club** has clear diagrams for every knot. You can find affordable macramé cord at local craft stores like **Craft Warehouse** in the SLC area, or order bulk cord on Amazon. You don't need a special board to start — tape your dowel to the back of a chair. You're ready for the next step when you can tie a square knot, a spiral knot, and a lark's head mount cleanly without looking at instructions.

First Creations

Make your first complete piece: a small plant hanger or a mini wall hanging about 30 cm wide. Follow along with a tutorial from **Soulful Notions** or **Macramé School** on YouTube — pick one specifically labeled "beginner" and follow it to the finish line, not just halfway. Cut your cords longer than you think you need (you'll use more than expected). Work slowly and check your tension — the biggest beginner mistake is uneven knots because one side is pulled tighter than the other. Hang your finished piece somewhere visible, even if it's just on your bedroom door. Post it to r/macrame with the caption "first attempt!" — the community always shows up for beginners. You're ready for the next step when you've completed one full project with consistent knot tension from top to bottom.

Style Development

Now push beyond the basics. Try mixing cord weights in one piece — thick 5mm for structure and thin 1mm for delicate fringe details. Experiment with color: natural cotton is beautiful, but try dyeing with **Rit Dye** or look for pre-dyed rope on Etsy. Learn the "berry knot" and "josephine knot" by searching YouTube — they add texture and visual interest fast. Try a horizontal versus diagonal pattern and see which you prefer. Look at weavers like **Emily Katz** for design inspiration that mixes macramé with other fiber techniques. Bring your work to a local craft swap or post it on Instagram to start building a small following. You're ready for the next step when you've completed two pieces that each use a different knotting pattern and can explain why you chose them.

Refine Your Craft

The difference between a good macramé piece and a great one is planning and consistency. Learn to sketch your design on paper before cutting cord — map out where each pattern section goes and roughly how many cords you need. Study **"The Complete Book of Macramé" by Dona Meilach** (available used online cheaply) for a deep dive into historical patterns and advanced techniques. Practice keeping your knot tension perfectly even across a full wide piece — this takes repetition. Try a large-scale piece (60+ cm wide wall hanging) and document your process with photos. Post your most refined piece to r/macrame and ask for honest critique on technique. You're ready for the next step when you can complete a large-scale piece with even tension and intentional pattern design throughout.

Portfolio Piece

Design and make your best piece — something you'd frame, gift, or sell. Think about the setting it's for (a modern SLC loft? a canyon cabin?), choose your cord and color palette to match, and sketch the design before you cut a single strand. Document the full build: materials, knot counts, dimensions, and time spent. When it's finished, photograph it in good natural light and post it to r/macrame and Instagram. Submit it to **Craft Lake City's** juried artisan market or display it at a local gallery open call. Price it: materials plus your hours at a fair rate. You're ready for the next step when you've publicly shared a portfolio-quality piece and can describe your design choices and process to someone who's never tried macramé.