Choosing which type of cord to use for macramé can be an overwhelming choice for complete beginners.
The good news is that you don’t need lots of supplies to get started. Macramé cord comes in different styles, materials, and thicknesses. For most beginner projects, a medium thickness cotton cord is a good place to start.
What is Macramé Cord?
In macramé, the cord is the material that you use to tie knots. It’s thicker than the yarn you would use for knitting, or thread you would need for sewing.
A good choice of cord needs to be strong enough to hold knots, soft enough to work with, and suitable for the size of your project. For beginners, it’s also helpful if the cord is easy to untie, so that you can correct mistakes.
What Type of Cord Is Best For Beginners?
Cotton macramé cord is probably the best choice for complete beginners.
This is because it’s soft to the touch and easy to tie knots in. It’s also widely available and gives you a classic ‘macramé look’.
Cotton cord is a superb choice for projects such as plant hangers, wall hangings, keychains, and other small projects.
Single Strand vs Three-Ply vs Braided Cord
There are three main structures of macramé cord; single strand, three-ply, and braided cord.
Single Strand
This is made out of one twisted strand of cord. It has a soft look and is good for wall hangings, tassels, and projects with brushed out fringe.
Three-Ply
Three-ply cord is made of three twisted sections that are wrapped together. It is rope-like, which makes it produce stronger knots with better definition. It’s a good choice for projects where you really need knots to hold their shape, such as plant hangers and wall hangings.
Braided Cord
This is woven together. It’s quite strong and less likely to unravel than other types of cord structure. However, it doesn’t brush out into fringe as easily.
What Materials Are Macramé Cords Made From?
Macramé cord can be made from different materials. The material affects how the cord feels, how easy it is to knot, and what the finished project looks like.
Cotton is the most common choice for beginners. It is soft, easy to work with, and gives a classic macramé look. Cotton cord can be a variety of structures, such as single-strand, three-ply, or braided.
Jute and hemp are natural fibres that give a more rustic look. They can work well for decorative projects, but they are rougher on your hands than cotton. This means that they are not usually the best option for beginners.
Nylon and polyester are synthetic materials. They can be strong and durable, which can make them useful for outdoor projects. However, they are more slippery to the touch than cotton, possibly making knots harder to do when you are just learning.
For most beginner projects, cotton is the best material to get started with.
What Thickness of Cord Should Beginners Use?
For most beginners to macramé, 3mm to 5mm is probably your best option for cord.
3mm cord is good for smaller projects and detailed work, 4mm is a decent all-round size for beginners, and 5mm is a great option for wall hangers and chunkier pieces.
If you want a good all-rounder, 4mm is probably your best bet.
Can You Use Yarn For Macramé?
You can use yarn for some projects, but it doesn’t work very well for weight-bearing pieces. Also keep in mind that yarn doesn’t hold the shape of knots as neatly as cord does.
If you have yarn on hand, it can be a good material to experiment with. For long term macramé, traditional cord is probably a better bet.
Can You Use String, Rope, or Twine?
It is possible to use string, rope, or twine for macramé, but some materials are easier to work with than others. Your material of choice needs to be strong enough to hold its shape, thick enough for the knots to show clearly, and soft enough to be able to handle well.
How Much Cord Do You Need?
The amount of cord you need depends on factors such as the size of your project, the thickness of the cord, the number of knots you need to make, and whether the design has a long fringe.
What Colour Cord Should Beginners Use?
Cream, beige, or another light coloured cord is probably your best bet. Opting for colours such as these makes it easier to see the knots, matches traditional styles, and hides any small mistakes you make better than darker cord.
Best Beginner Choice
For most beginners, 4mm cotton macramé cord is probably the best option to start with. It’s soft enough to work with and thick enough so that you can see the knots well. It’s also versatile enough to be used for projects such as plant hangers and wall hangings.