Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
DIY Macrame Intermediate Tutorial - Freeform Macrame Tips & Tricks! - Please see below for materials and written instructions.
Shop my book, Mixed Fiber Macrame, and Fiber Art Supplies (string, rope roving, ribbons, velvet and more) on my website or in my Etsy Shop:
Website: lotsofknots.ca
Etsy Shop: etsy.com/ca/shop/LotsofKnotsCanada
Support me directly: ko-fi.com/lotsofknotscanada
Materials:
- 3mm Classic String (Colour: Natural)
Hey guys! I have a really fun tutorial for you today where I talk about a few tips and tricks to create a freeform macrame design or a design that is asymmetric, a little more unconventional, and something that is created in the moment with no specific pre-set pattern in place.
Along with the tips and tricks, I’ll show you how to create swirls and loops to add to your design. If you like this form of macrame let me know in the comments as I am happy to expand on this tutorial. Let’s get started!
I’ll be creating shapes using double half hitch knots. If you're unfamiliar with the knot please see below for a more in-depth tutorial:
Double Half Hitch Knot Tutorial: youtu.be/HPMe3nggRIk
I’ve attached 8 cords to my dowel here but feel free to add cords to extend the width of your design. I’ll use an extra cord as my filler cord.
The most important part of creating swirls is that you have to tie the knots in a certain order to actually be able to create the swirl. Notice how I tie the top of the swirl first, the short end second and then the long end last.
Now begin to tie the double half hitch knots the other way, moving to the left.
Tie the dhhks the other way, moving to the right.
Tie the dhhks the other way, moving to the left.
Depending on the look you are going for, you can either keep the filler cord hanging here or cut it for a cleaner look.
I’ll quickly mention that if you were wanting to create a swirl here like we did for the top you’d have to plan for that in advance tying the end of the swirl before tying the bottom section.
I’ll use another filler cord here to show you how you can change up the look of the swirl by pulling on your filler cord to squish the knots together. Pull on the bottom of the filler cord to push the knots together to create this look and then adjust as necessary.
Next I’ll show you how to tie a swirl the other way.
I apologize for not showing my hands a bit more here, I’m tying a few more dhhks to the left to finish off the swirl.
Finally I’ll show you how you can also use a cord attached to your work as your filler cord. Either will work depending on the look you are going for just remember that if you use a filler cord attached to your work and you cut off the ends then you’ve lost one working cord to use again further down your work.
Hope you found this one helpful! I know that this sample as is doesn’t look like much but you can use these techniques to create really detailed and beautiful freeform pieces. Thanks so much for watching.
DIY Macrame Intermediate Tutorial - Freeform Macrame Tips & Tricks! - Please see below for materials and written instructions.
Shop my book, Mixed Fiber Macrame, and Fiber Art Supplies (string, rope roving, ribbons, velvet and more) on my website or in my Etsy Shop:
Website: lotsofknots.ca
Etsy Shop: etsy.com/ca/shop/LotsofKnotsCanada
Support me directly: ko-fi.com/lotsofknotscanada
Materials:
- 3mm Classic String (Colour: Natural)
Hey guys! I have a really fun tutorial for you today where I talk about a few tips and tricks to create a freeform macrame design or a design that is asymmetric, a little more unconventional, and something that is created in the moment with no specific pre-set pattern in place.
Along with the tips and tricks, I’ll show you how to create swirls and loops to add to your design. If you like this form of macrame let me know in the comments as I am happy to expand on this tutorial. Let’s get started!
I’ll be creating shapes using double half hitch knots. If you're unfamiliar with the knot please see below for a more in-depth tutorial:
Double Half Hitch Knot Tutorial: youtu.be/HPMe3nggRIk
I’ve attached 8 cords to my dowel here but feel free to add cords to extend the width of your design. I’ll use an extra cord as my filler cord.
The most important part of creating swirls is that you have to tie the knots in a certain order to actually be able to create the swirl. Notice how I tie the top of the swirl first, the short end second and then the long end last.
Now begin to tie the double half hitch knots the other way, moving to the left.
Tie the dhhks the other way, moving to the right.
Tie the dhhks the other way, moving to the left.
Depending on the look you are going for, you can either keep the filler cord hanging here or cut it for a cleaner look.
I’ll quickly mention that if you were wanting to create a swirl here like we did for the top you’d have to plan for that in advance tying the end of the swirl before tying the bottom section.
I’ll use another filler cord here to show you how you can change up the look of the swirl by pulling on your filler cord to squish the knots together. Pull on the bottom of the filler cord to push the knots together to create this look and then adjust as necessary.
Next I’ll show you how to tie a swirl the other way.
I apologize for not showing my hands a bit more here, I’m tying a few more dhhks to the left to finish off the swirl.
Finally I’ll show you how you can also use a cord attached to your work as your filler cord. Either will work depending on the look you are going for just remember that if you use a filler cord attached to your work and you cut off the ends then you’ve lost one working cord to use again further down your work.
Hope you found this one helpful! I know that this sample as is doesn’t look like much but you can use these techniques to create really detailed and beautiful freeform pieces. Thanks so much for watching.
