Choosing the right cord is the most important decision you’ll make as a new macrame artist. The wrong cord makes knots harder to tie, projects harder to finish, and results harder to love.
Here’s the honest breakdown of every cord type, what it’s best for, and what we actually recommend.
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Cord Types at a Glance
| Type | Best For | Price | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-strand cotton | Wall hangings, fringing | $$ | Easy |
| 3-ply cotton | Plant hangers, structural work | $$ | Easy |
| Braided cotton | Bags, strong pieces | $$$ | Medium |
| Jute/hemp | Rustic, natural look | $ | Medium |
| Polyester | Outdoor projects | $$ | Medium |
| Bamboo | Soft, eco-friendly projects | $$$ | Easy |
Our Recommendation: Start with 4mm Single-Strand Cotton
If you’re making your first project, use 4mm single-strand cotton cord. Here’s why:
- Holds knots cleanly without being stiff
- Unravels beautifully for fringe work
- Available in tons of colors
- Affordable enough to practice with
- Works for plant hangers, wall hangings, and keychains
This is what most macrame teachers recommend and what most tutorial creators use. You’ll see it called “single twist” or “single strand” — it’s all the same thing.
Shop 4mm Cotton Cord
Our top pick for beginners. Holds knots cleanly and fringes beautifully.
When to Use Each Type
Single-Strand Cotton (Recommended for Beginners)
The gold standard for macrame. One continuous twist of cotton fibers. When you unravel the end, it fans out into a beautiful, fluffy fringe.
Best for: Wall hangings, feathers, anything with fringe Sizes: 3mm for delicate work, 4mm for standard projects, 5mm for chunky pieces
3-Ply Cotton
Three strands twisted together. Stronger than single-strand, holds its shape better, but doesn’t fringe as prettily.
Best for: Plant hangers, bags, anything load-bearing Sizes: 3-5mm
Braided Cotton
Multiple strands braided together. The strongest cotton option, with a clean, rope-like appearance.
Best for: Bags, market totes, pet leashes, outdoor hangings Sizes: 3-6mm
Jute and Hemp
Natural fiber cords with a rustic, earthy look. Rougher on the hands than cotton but produces beautiful, textured pieces.
Best for: Bohemian style pieces, plant hangers, rustic decor Note: Can be scratchy — consider wearing gloves for long sessions
Bamboo Cord
Silky-soft, eco-friendly, with a subtle sheen. More expensive than cotton but a pleasure to work with.
Best for: Jewelry, delicate wall art, gifts Note: Less structural strength than cotton
How Much Cord Do You Need?
The number one beginner mistake is not buying enough cord. Here’s a quick formula:
Finished project length × 4 to 5 = cord length per strand
For a 3-foot wall hanging with 20 strands of 4mm cord, you’d need:
- 3 feet × 5 = 15 feet per strand
- 15 feet × 20 strands = 300 feet total
- That’s about 100 meters, or roughly one standard roll
Always buy at least 10% more than your calculation. You can always use leftovers for keychains or bookmarks.
Our Favorite Cord Sources
For consistent quality and good color selection, we recommend Bochiknot. They carry cotton, bamboo, and recycled cord in multiple thicknesses, and their shipping is reliable.
Browse All Cord Types
Cotton, bamboo, and recycled cord in multiple thicknesses and colors.
The Bottom Line
Start with 4mm single-strand cotton cord. Buy a full roll (about 100 meters). Pick a natural or off-white color for your first project — dyed cords can sometimes bleed, and neutral cord lets you focus on learning the knots without worrying about color matching.
Once you’ve finished a few projects, experiment with different textures. The variety is part of what makes macrame so addictive.
