So, you’ve been all over Etsy, Pinterest, and the local craft decor shops and you keep seeing macrame. It’s a hip, boho-chic wall decoration, and you love everything about it, and you’ve got tons of macrame ideas of your own. But, where can you find the best macrame cord for your own projects?
Finding great macrame supplies– especially cord- isn’t too hard, if you know where to look! There are lots of choices online, and many of them appear the same- even the ones that are total scams. If you want to find the best macrame material, read our unbiased artist’s guide to learn how to choose the right macrame cord for your project, and where to get it at the best quality!
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Buyer’s Guide: How to find the Best Macrame Cord
There are tons of places to learn macrame, and just as many places to buy macrame cord. But, what’s right for you? More specifically, what’s right for your project? Below, you’ll find a quick guide to finding the right type of macrame material for every use!
What is Macrame Cord?
Macrame cord is any length of twisted fiber strands used to make macrame. They are typically made from natural cotton, but you can also find jute cord, linen cord, crochet thread, knitting wool, and twine cord for different projects.
Macrame is a fiber art that involves knotting and tying, and it’s ideal that your choice of macrame cord is soft and smooth. That makes it easy to tie, without fibers and strands getting caught on each other and fraying.
What to Look for in Macrame Cord
Trying to find the best macrame material can be pretty intimidating. On the outside, it seems like every cord is the same. However, when you start looking around, you find that macrame cord is more diverse than you thought- there are all kinds of different strands, colors thicknesses, etc.
Let’s do a little rundown of the options you have when choosing material for your next macrame wall art, plant hanger, or coaster:
Cord Type
Macrame cord is available in a few different variations. Each of them has a slightly different structure, which changes its texture and strength.
Single Strand
Single strand macrame cord is the thinnest, and one of the most popular, materials used to make fiber art. Just like the name implies, it is made of one twisted strand of natural cotton fiber.
Many times, you’ll find this type of cord branded as “natural cotton”, because it isn’t woven or braided, just tightly twisted. It has an almost raw sort of feeling, perfect for the rustic/farmhouse and mid-century modern vibes.
It’s not as tight or strong as other types of cord, but it looks great with detailed, fringe wall hangings, feathers, and curtains!
Check out these examples of single-strand macrame cord:
Single strand cord is perfect for making fringe projects. The frayed cotton ends are really easy to brush out and look great when complete!
Multi Strand Cord
Most of the time, modern multi-strand cord is made from three twisted strands. For most of the history of macrame, 6-strand cord was the standard, but today’s taste favors softness and the use of lightweight ropes.
It’s much stronger than cord with only one strand, and it’s perfect when used for plant hangers, macrame shelves, and chairs! Check out these cool projects made with multi-strand cord:
Other Commonly Used Materials
Braided cord is extra strong and makes a great, soft hammock. “Extra-soft” macrame cord is used to make lightweight, decorative art and loom-style work. There is also jute, a rougher material that’s basically an upscale twine. Here are some examples of these materials at work!
This eclectic and luxurious wall hanging is made from a combination of multi-strand macrame cord and extra soft cotton string, died different colors. It’s an awesome boho chic decor piece that looks great in any home!
Jute is thin, touch, and scratchy to the touch. It has more of a classic bohemian look, perfect for any rustic, natural home decor vibe!
Thickness
There are different thicknesses available, too, which can make or break the quality of a finished macrame project. Get cord that is too thin for your project and you’ll lose visual texture; getting cord that is too thick can result in a finished piece that looks clunky and awkward.
There is no perfect thickness for macrame cord, it really does depend on the situation. Although there is no perfect thickness, 3 and 5 mm cord tends to work in just about any situation. This is because it’s easy to weave and knot, unlike extra thin and thick cord. Keep in mind, the strand you choose will also change the way the thickness appears in the finished result.
1 millimeter cord is essentially just cotton string. It can be used to make small, highly detailed projects, like feathers and intricate miniature wall hangings. It can be pretty hard to work with if you don’t have tiny, nimble fingers, though!
On the other end of the spectrum, 8MM cord is for heavy-duty work that will be viewed from a bit of a distance. Its “chunky” style can work very well when used appropriately!
Color
You can get macrame cord in just about any color you like! And if you can’t find the exact shade or hue you’re looking for, learning to dye macrame cord to the right color is actually pretty easy!
That said, there are two common colors used in modern macrame: natural cotton and white. Natural cotton has that bit of beige to it, but still looks really clean. It feels soft and inviting to the eyes, making your home just a smidge more cozy!
White macrame cord is a lot brighter and more crisp, but still has that warmth that only textile art can provide. It’s perfect for farmhouse and Scandinavian decor and keeps your walls feeling bright and airy!
Here’s an example of each, so you can compare the vibes:
Natural Cotton Cord
White Cotton Macrame Cord
Where is the Best Place to Buy Macrame Cord?
1. Rock Mountain Co.
This amazing small business makes the softest, cleanest feeling macrame cord I’ve ever touched! They are a very trustworthy supplier and they have a huge selection of different thicknesses, colors, and strands. They’re the supplier for the upscale macrame artist!
Rock Mountain Co has very fair prices, too. Their high-quality natural cotton cord will cost you about $.20 per meter, which is more than affordable! If you’re looking for the best macrame cord around, you’re likely to find it here!
2. Unfettered Co on Etsy
Unfettered Co is one of Etsy’s most popular macrame supply makers. They sell unique and high-quality cord, as well as other supplies that will take you from project inspiration to completion and Instagram glory! They sell all sorts of cord and even have a hand-painted recycled cotton rope for the true, sustainable boho look! They have a reputation for being great to work with, responding to questions and messages, and going above and beyond to keep people happy!
3. Cotton and Tree Home on Etsy
Cotton and Tree Home sells some of the softest, most aesthetically-pleasing cord on the market. They also have a great selection of finished macrame wall hangings and other woven/knotted fabric decor. If you’re looking for delicate, textured macrame cord that feels just as good in your hands as it looks on your walls, you’ll find it here.
4. Cyrico on Amazon
Cyrico is one of the better places to find macrame cord on Amazon. Usually, buying art supplies here is more “miss” than “hit”, but Cyrico bucks that trend. It isn’t the finest or softest cord in the world; you won’t find that on Amazon. What you will find on Amazon, though, is solid quality at great prices.
This specific seller sells a nice, 100% cotton cord at a price you won’t balk at. It’s perfect for making plant hangers, simple projects, or just learning how to do macrame, because it’s about as cheap as good macrame cord can be!
Best Cord From This Shop: 3MM Natural Cord
5. Pepperell
As a medium-sized online art store, Pepperell isn’t the most gorgeous-looking website, but they sure do have a lot of choices. If you’re looking for the most versatile selection of macrame rope and cord for your fiber art projects, this is a great place to check out! They have pretty much every type of cord you can think of, so you don’t have to be afraid to think outside the box when planning your next project!
Conclusion
Finding macrame cord can be a tough task. You’ve got to be able to distinguish between the different types of cord and know which one is right for your project. On top of that, there are many different places that sell macrame cord online, and it’s almost impossible to know which ones are good until you try them. Shopping for macrame cord from any of the sellers above is sure to cut out some of the stress and dealing with garbage purchases! We hope this helped you on your journey to becoming a true macrame master!
FAQs
What is a good brand of macrame cord? ›
Best for beginners: XKDOUS three-ply macrame cord
If you're just starting out with macrame and want a fairly inexpensive and easy-to-use cord, XKDOUS brand rope is a great option. It makes twisted three-ply cotton macrame rope in 3, 4, 5, and 6mm diameters, sold in lengths from 109-328 yards.
What is the best cord for Macrame? Although you can use any type of cord for Macrame, most fiber artists prefer working with high-quality cotton cords. Not only are cotton cords easy to unravel when you make a mistake (which makes them perfect for beginners) but they also give a gorgeous fringe when combed out.
What is the strongest macrame cord? ›1. Ialwiyo Macramé Cord. The undyed four-ply Ialwiyo cord is a reliable everyday material that looks great in all kinds of projects, from wall hangings to plant hangers. Made of 100% cotton, it delivers on strength and forms firm, reliable knots, but it's also very soft.
What's the difference between macrame cord and macrame rope? ›A cord is sturdier than a string, and a rope is even sturdier than a cord. In other settings, ropes are used to tie down heavy objects. But in macrame, you use this material to create robust and heavier pieces.
Is 3mm or 4mm better for macrame? ›Medium Ropes, 4mm-7mm are perhaps most commonly used, a great size for macramé beginners, more sturdy than the smaller ropes and the perfect size for plant hangers, wall hangings, furniture, lanterns, curtains, rugs, etc.
What should a beginner macrame buy? ›- Cotton macrame cord (rope)
- Wood or metal dowel, or equivalent tree branch or drift wood (for a more organic natural look), if you're doing wall art.
- Hanging ring if creating a plant hanger.
- Scissors.
- Tape measure.
Red Bonnie Braided Macrame Craft Cord - 4mm | Hobby Lobby | 23667. FREE SHIPPING* on orders of $50 or more.
What is the best cord for macrame wall hanging? ›3-ply cotton rope is perfect for beginners. This is the most popular macrame cord and it's made from 3 individual strands twisted together to make one rope. It's very versatile and can be used for any macrame project from wall hangings to clothing to home decorations.
What is the difference between 1 ply and 3-ply macrame cord? ›Single Ply is made of 1 big strand of rope (normally there are about 40 fine strands of fibres in the strand). It has a very soft and fluffy finish. It's great on cushions and throws as the finished result is much softer than the 'rope' feel of 3-ply, 3-ply is more rope-like.
What is the most decorative knot used in macrame? ›Macrame came over to England in the 17th century and has been around ever since! The most common macrame knot is the square knot (we teach you how to do this later) and it makes up the base of most designs.
How long should my macrame cord be plant hanger? ›
Here's how much cord you'll need to make a hanging planter with a finished measurement of 36″. If you are starting the planter with a wooden ring, cut six 13-foot (4-meter) pieces of cord. If you are tying a loop instead of a ring, you'll need one cord that's longer than the others.
How many yards of cord do I need for macrame? ›Generally speaking, the rule of thumb is to take the finished length of your project and multiply it by 4 to get the length for your cords. Then add extra for however much fringe you want at the end.
How long should my macrame cords be? ›How do I know the length of cord I need for a project? In most cases, your Macrame cord needs to be roughly four times the length of your project. When your cord is folded in half with a Lark's Head Knot to create two cords, go for eight times the length.
Is macrame easier than crochet? ›Since you don't need to know how to handle any extra tools, many people consider macrame an easier art form to learn than both knitting and crocheting.
What are the three basic macrame? ›Today I will show you the three most common macrame knots, the square knot, the spiral knot and the half-hitch knot. By knowing just these three basic knots you will be able to create your own unique piece of macrame that will fit your taste and style.
Is macrame old fashioned? ›Though the craze for macramé faded, it regained popularity during the 1970s as a means to make wall hangings, articles of clothing, bedspreads, small jean shorts, tablecloths, draperies, plant hangers and other furnishings. By the early 1980s macramé had again begun to fall out of fashion as a decoration trend.
Is macrame still popular in 2023? ›Tapestry and macramé hangings are going out of style.
Certain aspects of Bohemian-style design will carry over into 2023, though, like nature-inspired hues and an emphasis on overall comfort.
- 1 – Jewelry. The jewelry industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, so there's room for every business. ...
- 2 – Art. Everyone hangs some form of art in their home so it's an industry people spend money on. ...
- 3 – Photography. ...
- 4 – Soap & Candles.
The 1970s have called and they want to congratulate you on reviving one of their most iconic crafts, macrame. Once the rage for wall hangings, planter hangers, keychains and the ubiquitous owl hanging, the once-fad has made a return and has been trending throughout 2021 and 2022.
What is the most important material in macrame making? ›Macrame is traditionally made with cotton or hemp rope. The ropes are tied in different knots to create beautiful knotted patterns.
How do you end macrame without fringe? ›
Use a clean edge whenever you want to finish your macrame project without fringes. For example, pillows, lamps, flower petals or wall hangings details. ✅ SUBS...
What size crochet hook for 4mm macrame cord? ›This #16 (12mm) crochet hook is just the right size to crochet with our 5mm rope and our 4mm string.
Can I teach myself macrame? ›Yes. Although it looks challenging, it is a simple and fun craft that anyone can learn to do. Once you learn a few basic knots (don't worry I'll show you how to do some in the video), you will be able to create beautiful macrame projects like this one.
How do you price handmade macrame? ›Method 1: (Material Cost + Time x Hourly Rate) x 2.5 = Retail. You'll want to keep material costs simple. Only include the cost of the materials you are going to use in the finished product. Time needs to be counted in hours.
Where to hold my macrame while making it? ›Standard Rod Clothing Garment Rack
A metal garment rack like this is a good, economical choice for your macrame projects. You can hold large wall hangings on it (you'll want to grab some S hooks as well) and it's also great for making plant hangers. If you get one with wheels, it's easy to move around your house!
Bright Creations Red Macrame Cotton Cord, Knitting Rope Arts And Crafts Supplies (3mm, 164 Yards) : Target.
What is the difference between macrame string and rope? ›Macrame rope is generally stronger than macrame string, and when you untwist it, it gives you that fun, wavy fringe, so it is great for adding texture to your work. Because it is stronger, I tend to use it for furniture or pieces that will need to bear significant weight.
How much length of the cord will you use when hanging walls? ›Wall hangings - this varies a lot because of size and design elements. I would say start at approx. 30- 35m for a small and basic piece (for example - a wall piece thats approx 60cm long may use 16 x 1.5m lengths). The more knots and density to your pattern, the more cord you need!
What size cord is best for macrame feathers? ›Macrame cord 3mm or thinner. You can also use yarn or embroidery thread. Self healing cutting mat – This is definitely not necessary, but if you don't have one they are super helpful for a bunch of different craft projects.
Is waxed cord good for macrame? ›My own micro macrame experience started with waxed cords, since it was easier to hold the knotts as a beginner and since then I have tried lots of threads in different materials and brands which I bring to you now! 1) Linhasita - waxed polyester cord: This is a well known brand in the world of Macrame.
What is the only material used in macrame? ›
Materials used in macramé include cords made of cotton twine, linen, hemp, jute, leather or yarn. Cords are identified by construction, such as a 3-ply cord, made of three lengths of fibre twisted together.
What is 3mm macrame cord used for? ›The new 3mm Macramé Cord is a single twist cotton cord composed of 56 small threads. It is perfect for macramé, weavings and any fiber art. It is super soft, smooth, knots beautifully and gives amazing fringes and tassels.
What is the best macrame cord for dress? ›For plant hangers and wall hangings it is not so important which type of cord is being used, but for macrame clothes the best material is soft cotton. All TAIKA designs are made from recycled extra soft and light cotton yarns with love.
What are the two types of cord in macrame? ›- Braided cord.
- 3-ply rope.
- Single twist string.