Are you looking to add unique pieces of wall decor to your home? Then try your hand at macrame. Check out these 10 easy and free macrame wall hanging patterns that are perfect for beginners and will add a one-of-a-kind piece to your empty walls that will surely get many compliments.
My 10 free patterns are not the common DIY macrame wall hanging that you are used to. I also included seasonal macrame creations that you can switch out.
Tips for macrame beginners
- Don’t overthink your project! Mistakes happen and the great thing about macrame is that you can open up your piece again and start over without wasting material.
- Cutting your cords much longer is better than having cords that are too short. If you have a lot of waste, there are many great projects you can make with all the leftovers. Check out my DIY macrame earrings or fringe earrings for example, or this tassel embellishment which you can use to spruce up things like baskets and lampshades. Or you can even make some macrame Christmas ornaments with all your leftover macrame cord scraps.
- If you are wondering about what is best size of cord for a macrame wall hanging? A 4mm cord is always a good starting point for a standard macrame project. A thinner type of cord, like a 3 mm is better for smaller-scale projects. When you use a thicker 5mm cord, you end up needing much more cord length.
- You can learn the different basic knots ahead of a project but personally I never even needed to do that because they are so easy to knot and I show them for each project.
- Can I use normal strings, jute, or hemp for macrame? Yes, you technically can. However, I definitely prefer macrame yarn for my DIY projects for sure. You will understand why when you see my below wall hangings and their instructions. Cotton rope macrame yarn is much softer and easy to unravel. I love unraveling the yarn for my projects and that is almost impossible with orther type of cords. Even the synthetic yarn I have used for my outdoor macrame wall hangings and projects can’t be unraveled.
So yes you can use other cords as a substitute for macrame cord but I prefer not to. It is preferential.
You can even use the cords of a mop head to create a yarn wall hanging.
Basic knots used in my easy macrame wall hangings
In all my projects, I’m showing you how to do each of the different macrame knots in video tutorials or step-by-step photo tutorials.
- Gathering Knots or Wrap Knots – This isn’t really a knot because nothing gets knotted. It is a way to tightly wrap the macrame cord around a bunch of macrame yarn to keep it together while hiding the beginning and end of the yarn neatly.
- Lark’s Head Knots – The Lark’s Head Knot is commonly used in macrame to attach the cord to a stick or rod (occasionally another piece of cord, too) by folding it in half and looping it onto the object.
- Square Knots – This is the most commonly used knot to create patterns by overlapping rows or knotting long strands. If you don’t alternate the knots over the center cords, then the Square Knot turns into a Spiral Knot. Both of those are commonly used to make a macrame plant hanger or such projects as my DIY macrame cat bed.
Below is an image showing you how to make a Square Knot by alternating the right side and the left side around the two center cords.
- Horizontal, Diagonal, & Vertical Double Half Hitch Knots (Clove Hitch Knots) – So many great macrame patterns are created with a combination of this versatile knot. As mentioned, it can be knotted horizontally, diagonally, and vertically for unique-looking designs. You basically take the working cord and loop it around a filler cord twice (or a bunch of cords), locking it into place.
Why are macrame wall hangings so popular?
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They are popular because macrame allows people to create unique and beautiful wall hanging (or other decor items) using affordable materials and simple knots, no matter what skill levels.
Macrame is also a creative and relaxing hobby without being messy like painting. I love it so much! The possibilities for design and customization are endless. Plus, the finished pieces add a touch of unique boho chic to any space, making it a trendy choice for home decor.
Materials needed for macrame wall hangings
This is a list of my favorites that I use for most of my macrame wallhanging projects.
- 4 mm macrame yarn in various colors
- 3 mm macrame yarn in various colors
- sharp crafting scissors or even hair-cutting scissors to evenly trim macrame fringe
- fabric stiffener
- animal fur brush
- comb
- embroidery yarn
- wooden dowel rod, piece of driftwood, or stick
10 unique, free macrame patterns for wall hangings that are beginner-friendly
A lot of these macrame tutorials are also viewable on my YouTube channel in case you are interested in following me over there.
Pattern 1: Combed Macrame Yarn Wall Hanging
This stunning combination of macrame and embroidery yarn is my favorite, and you can come up with all kinds of combinations to suit your wall size and color scheme. Mine is a rather large macrame wall hanging.
All you need for this project is a Gathering Knot used for wrapping the strands of combed macrame yarn with various different colors of embroidery yarn.
Pattern 2: Macrame Chain Link Garland Wall Hanging
Have you ever seen anything like this wall hanging before? I was inspired by a ceramic wall hanging that I saw on 1stDibs for $1,655 and thought I could recreate a similar look with macrame yarn. I think it is a pretty similar vision.
Pattern 3: Modern Macrame Wall Hanging
This beautiful and unique wall hanging is a combination of my first wall and second wall hanging with the combed macrame yarn strands that are held together with Square Knots. Also, some macrame strands are held together with Double Half Hitch Kare nots.
Pattern 4: Unique Macrame Wreath
A wreath is technically a wall hanging, too. This macrame wreath is unique because I added some thick, fluffy wool for added texture to the Diagonal Half Hitch Knots. TO me the thick wool detail takes this beachy, boho macrame wall hanging to the next level.
Pattern 5: Pipa Knot Wallhanging
This long and big cotton rope knot wall hanging is called a Pipa Knot, and I used thick macrame rope for it. It is a perfect piece of wall art for a long and narrow wall, as you can see here in my hallway. (I’m also including how to make the thick wooden knob)
Pattern 7: Macrame Feather Wall Hanging
A grouping of easy macrame feathers hanging from a stick makes a great and super easy wall hanging too. All you need is Square Knots for this easy project.
Pattern 8: Macrame Leaf Wall Hanging
The macrame leaf is similar to the macrame feather, but I added a twist to mine, and you can use it as a wall hanging. I added think wool the Diagonal Double Half Hitch Knots the same way I did in the wreath. You can even add some wooden beads for more interest.
Pattern 6: Macrame Heart Wall Hanging
Let’s get to some seasonal wall hangings that are easy to make. Here you can see my two versions to make a macrame heart wall hanging. All you need is some varieties of Double Half Hitch Knots to create the heart pattern. The added yarn color is the cherry on top.
Pattern 9: Macrame Ghost Wall Hanging
I think this is the simplest and easiest wall hanging of this roundup. All you need is an old metal hanger and attach the macrame yarn with some Lark’s Head Knots for a super quick project.
I also have a macrame bat wall hanging which I love but it is a little more advanced than the very simple and easy macrame ghost pattern.
Pattern 10: Macrame Christmas Tree Wall Hanging
This cute green macrame Christmas tree wall hanging is the perfect project for the holidays and looks a bit complicated. But it also just uses basic macrame knots like Double Half Hitch Knots, some Square Knot strands at the bottom, and some combed macrame yarn looped into the weaving to form tassels. I added some fairy lights for an extra festive touch.
I hope you have fun recreating some of these wall hangings. If you do, send me a photo. I’d love to see your awesome work!
Tschüß,
