Hey there, fellow crafters! Today’s tutorial is all about how to make a stunning macrame necklace. Whether you’re a seasoned macrame pro or just starting out, this step-by-step guide will show you how to easily create a gorgeous piece of macrame jewelry that’s perfect for any occasion. From choosing the right materials to mastering the knots, I’ve got you covered.
How to make a macrame necklace
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I’ve been wanting to make this type of macramé necklace for a while now. And our recent annual beach vacation was the perfect place to finally knot a couple of different versions.
I wore one of them while shopping and got several compliments and inquiries already. I don’t have to tell you that a macrame necklace also makes a great gift, do I?
Supply list
Video tutorial
Here is my DIY macrame necklace video tutorial and I recommend that you watch it in combination with the rest of the detailed instructions below because it shows best what my hands are doing.
If it doesn’t load for you then you can also head over to my YouTube channel to watch it there instead.
Step-by-step instructions for the macrame necklace
Grab your supplies and let’s get started on this fun and rewarding boho craft project! The necklaces are knotted similarly to my macrame towel holder and macrame garland tutorial. They all require the same basic macrame knots that are perfect for macrame beginners.
Note: Steps 5, 6, and 7 are optional and you can add your own spin to your macrame necklace design. I will be sharing 3 different ways at the end. You can skip the added fringe, you can add more rows of Diagonal Clove Hitch Knots, can leave the fringe as is instead of unraveling and stiffening it. You can even add Square Knots or wood beads, or even seashells to it. There are so many options.
Step 1: Cut your cords
Cut 6 pieces of macrame cord at 100 inches long. I purposely cut these long so I could determine later how long I wanted the necklace to be and I knew I needed leftover scraps for the added fringe. Plus every person has a different length of torso and neck. So one size definitely doesn’t fit all in this case and that way you have the length to decide while working on the macrame necklace.
Step 2: Attach cords to clasp with Lark’s Head Knots
The next step is to fold the 100-inch long cotton twine pieces in half and attach three of them to the one jewelry clasp with lark’s head knots and the other three to the second jewelry clasp.
A Lark’s Head Knot is a simple knot that most macrame pieces start out with when looping yarn to something.
Use a piece of duct tape to secure the strands to a flat surface. I’ve seen others use a cork board and needles to secure a macrame piece in place for knotting but I usually prefer using duct tape because that way I can knot my macrame anywhere. I even knotted one of the necklaces on the beach and taped the strands to a beach chair. You can really do this anywhere.
Step 6: Unravel, comb, and stiffen fringe (optional)
As I mentioned several times, this is completely optional. You can try the necklace on without unraveling, combing, and stiffening the fringe to see if you like that look before moving on.
I personally love the look of the fringe combed and do that for so many of my macrame projects. Check out my modern macrame wall hanging and my combed macrame yarn art where I spent hours opening and straightening macrame yarn for a unique look. They are also great easy and free macrame patterns.
Use your fingers and a comb to open up the fringe strands.
If you like your fringe straight and stiff like my necklace then you need to dip it into fabric starch and let it dry.
Step 7: Trim the macrame necklace fringe
Trim the unraveled and combed fringe with sharp scissors. My fringe is about 2 inches long.
3 different macrame necklace looks
As promised in the title, I made three different macrame necklace patterns for you. They all start the same way with the diamond patterned strands attached to a jewelry clasp but have different lengths and fringe options. You can however come up with many more.
Macrame necklace Look 1:
This is the necklace that I showed in the full version in my video and macrame necklace tutorial above. It is a shorter bib-style necklace with a lot of stiffened short fringe and the one I have worn the most so far.
Macrame necklace Look 2:
For this look I made the diamond patterned Diagonal Clove Hitch Knot strands longer.
At the end where they meet, I added three rows of Diagonal Clove Hitch Knots that end in a v-shape with a long fringe. This is probably the easiest and quickest version of the 3 different macrame necklaces.
Macrame necklace Look 3:
The third option ends in two straight rows of Diagonal Clove Hitch Knots and then a large diamond shape with a large Square Knot in the middle, as well as some added fringe on the side. You can of course add even more fringe or several small Square Knots or a wooden bead to the center of the knotted diamond.
I also chose to not unravel this fringe for a different look.
So which macrame necklace version is your favorite? It is definitely a personal preference and depends on your outfit!
More finished macrame necklace photos
I’ve worn my short macrame necklace several times already. On the beach in my bikini, shopping, and with my favorite new skirt. It’s just the perfect accessory!
Where to buy a macrame necklace
Not everyone loves to craft, am I right? I rounded up some Etsy shops that sell handmade pretty macrame necklaces for those of you who love the look but would prefer to not make their own macrame jewelry.
I also recently bought this small macrame choker necklace with cowrie seashells for under $10 on Amazon and wear it all the time.
More boho beach crafts that make amazing gifts
All my free macrame patterns use basic knots and aren’t challenging to make. Many of these tutorials are also perfect for those random short scrap pieces you might have from other macrame projects.
Tschüß and happy knotting,
Materials
- large jewelry clap
- 2mm or 3mm macrame cord in your desired color
- duct tape
- fabric starch (optional)
Notes
- Use a piece of duct tape to secure the strands to a flat surface. I’ve seen others use a cork board and needles to secure a macrame piece in place for knotting but I usually prefer using duct tape because that way I can knot my macrame anywhere. I even knotted one of the necklaces on the beach and taped the strands to a beach chair. You can really do this anywhere.
- Steps 5, 6, and 6 are optional and you can add your own spin to your macrame necklace design. You can skip the added fringe, you can add more rows of Diagonal Clove Hitch Knots, can leave the fringe as is instead of unraveling and stiffening it. Or you can even add seashells or beads to it. There are so many options.
- You can test the length of your necklace by hooping the clasps together and draping them around your neck.
