Metal hoops are one of my favorite types of hangers to use for macrame projects.
In addition to random sticks from my backyard, hoops were one of the first things I experimented with when I first began making macrame. I loved them so much that they continue to be one of my signature styles today!
Here's a beginner-friendly macrame hoop pattern that requires only three core macrame knots. Expect a lot of repetition; this pattern is going to provide you with LOTS of practice making these three knots. Let's get started!
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Skill Level: Beginner
Finished Measurements: Approximately 8 x 30 inches
What You’ll Need:
- 90 feet of 1/4 inch 3-ply rope (cut into 9 pieces of 10 feet each)
- One 6 inch metal hoop
- Something or somewhere to hang the hoop from while you work (e.g. clothes rack)
- Scissors
- Ruler or Tape Measure (optional)
Knots Required:
- Lark’s Head Knot
- Square Knot
- Double Half Hitch Knot
Helpful Tips:
- When measuring rope, place a piece of tape around the cord where you want to make the cut. Then, cut the cord in the middle of the taped section. This creates taped ends and will prevent the cord from unraveling as you work.
- This project is best completed while standing or sitting with the hoop hanging. It is not recommended as a lap or desk project.
Knotting Instructions:
1. Fold one cord in half and attach it to the metal ring using a Lark’s Head Knot. Repeat with the remaining 8 cords. Number the cords 1-18 from left to right. As you complete each step, renumber the cords 1-18 from left to right.
2. Skip cord 1. Using cords 2-5, tie a Square Knot.
Repeat this for cords 6-9, 10-13 and 14-17 until you have a row of four Square Knots.
3. Skip cords 1-3. Using cords 4-7, tie a Square Knot.
4. Skip cords 1-5. Using cords 6-9, tie a Square Knot. Repeat this for cords 10-13.
5. Using cords 8-11, tie a Square Knot. You should end up with an inverted triangle of Square Knots.
6. Using cord 1 as your filler cord, hold it at a right downward angle and tie a Diagonal Double Half Hitch Knot using cord 2.
The knot should be tied at the base of the first Square Knot.
7. Repeat on the other side. Using cord 18 as your filler cord, hold it at a left downward angle and tie Diagonal Double Half Hitch Knots using cords 17-11.
8. Using cords 8-11, tie a Square Knot. To tighten the knot, lightly pinch the Square Knot between your thumb and index finger while pulling the two inner cords down.
9. Turn the wall hanging around so that the backside is facing you. Renumber the cords 1-18 from left to right. Using cord 1 as your filler cord, hold it at a right downward angle and tie Diagonal Double Half Hitch Knots using cords 2-9.
10. Using cord 18 as your filler cord, hold it at a left downward angle and tie Diagonal Double Half Hitch Knots using cords 17-10.
11. Turn the wall hanging around so that the frontside is facing you. Renumber the cords 1-18 from left to right. Using cord 1 as your filler cord, hold it at a right downward angle and tie Diagonal Double Half Hitch Knots using cords 2-8.
12. Using cord 18 as your filler cord, hold it at a left downward angle and tie Diagonal Double Half Hitch Knots using cords 17-11.
13. Using cords 8-11, tie a Square Knot. To tighten the knot, lightly pinch the Square Knot between your thumb and index finger while pulling the two inner cords down.
14. Using cords 1-4, tie a Square Knot.
Repeat for cords 5-8. Skip cords 9 and 10. Repeat for cords 11-14 and 15-18.
15. Using cords 8-11, tie the final Square Knot.
Fringe Instructions:
1. Using the tape measure, measure 30 inches from the top of the hoop down the middle. Cut cords 9 and 10 at the 30 inch mark (or however long you want it to be). Leave the cords unraveled.
2. Starting with cord 9, work your way towards the left by cutting each immediate cord approximately 1/2 inch shorter until you reach cord 1. For example, cord 8 should be cut 1/2 inch shorter than cord 9, and cord 7 should be cut 1/2 inch shorter than cord 8, and so on.
3. Repeat on the opposite starting with cord 10. Work your way to the right by cutting each immediate cord approximately 1/2 inch shorter until you reach cord 18.
4. Unravel all 18 cords. Unraveling the cords will add about 1 inch of length to your wall hanging. Depending on your preference, you can trim the ends or leave them as-is. Trimming the ends will create a neater look.
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Enjoy! I'd love to see your work. Please tag me on Instagram at @malymade or use the hashtag #malymade so that I can find you!