A macrame Christmas tree is a cone-shaped tabletop decoration built from layered rows of square knots that taper from a wide base up to a pointed topper. It takes about 90 minutes to make, uses only one knot, and works beautifully on a mantel, shelf, or side table. This tutorial walks you through building a mini macrame tree with metallic cord accents and an optional wooden star frame.
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What You Will Need
For one tabletop tree standing roughly 20 to 25 cm tall, gather these materials before you start:
Cord:
- Single-Strand Macrame Cord (Regular Rolls) — about 35 metres of 4mm cord (use code KNOT10 for 10% off)
- Metallic Mix Macrame Cord (Petite, 100m) — for accent rows; one petite roll does several trees
Hardware:
- Wooden Star Frames — for the tree topper (optional but lovely)
Tools:
- Macrame Board with T-Pins or a piece of styrofoam and tape
- Sharp scissors
- Macrame Measuring Tape
- 8" Macrame Stainless Steel Fringe Comb for finishing (optional)
If you have never tied a square knot before, read our beginners guide to macrame first. The square knot is the only knot this project requires, so ten minutes of practice on scrap cord will set you up completely.
How to Make a Macrame Christmas Tree
Step 1: Cut Your Cords
Cut 20 cords, each 150 cm (60 inches) long, from your 4mm single-strand cord. This length accounts for the knot consumption across multiple rows plus a small fringe at the base.
Also cut 6 accent cords at 80 cm (32 inches) each from the metallic cord. These become the horizontal bands that give the tree its festive glitter.
Keep your cuts even — a macrame measuring tape taped to your work surface makes this much faster than measuring each cord individually.
Step 2: Create the Base Ring
Gather all 20 main cords and tie them together at one end with a tight overhand knot. This knot sits at the very bottom of the finished tree, hidden by the fringe.
Fan the cords outward from the knot and pin them to your board, spreading them as wide as possible. The spread of this fan determines the width of the tree's base — aim for about 25 to 30 cm across.
Step 3: Tie the First Row of Square Knots
Group the cords into sets of 4. Starting at one side, tie a square knot with each group across the full width. You should have 5 square knots in this first row, spaced about 2 cm apart.
This row is the widest part of the tree — it forms the bottom tier. Keep the knots at the same height across the row, which is easier if you use T-pins to hold everything in place.
Step 4: Reduce Width for Each Row
Move up approximately 3 cm from your first row and tie the next row of alternating square knots. This time, leave the outermost cord on each side unknotted. You now have 4 knots in the second row instead of 5.
Continue this reduction pattern: every row removes one knot from the total by leaving the outer cords on each side idle. By the time you reach the top you will have only 1 square knot left in the row — that is the signal to move to the gathering step.
The tapering is what creates the classic tree silhouette. Work slowly and keep the row spacing consistent. Uneven row spacing is the most common reason a macrame tree looks lumpy rather than clean.
Step 5: Add Metallic Accents
After completing every second row of square knots, weave a metallic accent cord horizontally across the full width of that tier. Thread it over and under individual cords (not the whole knot groups), then knot the ends tightly at each side.
These metallic bands land at different heights on the tree and represent the tinsel or garland on a traditional Christmas tree. You can add as many or as few as you like — two or three bands keeps the look minimal and modern; five or six makes it more festive and full.
The Metallic Mix Macrame Cord (Petite, 100m) comes in a mix of gold and silver tones, which blend well without having to choose between the two.
Step 6: Shape the Cone
Once all your rows are complete, gather every remaining cord at the top into a tight bundle and tie them with a gathering knot. Pull the gathering knot as tight as you can — this is the peak of the tree and needs to hold firmly.
Leave about 5 to 8 cm of cord tail above the gathering knot. If you are adding a Wooden Star Frames topper, thread the tail cords through the holes in the back of the star and tie an overhand knot to secure it flat against the frame.
Step 7: Trim and Finish
Turn the tree right-side up so it stands with the base knot at the bottom. The cords hanging below the base knot become the fringe that the tree rests on — trim these evenly to about 3 to 5 cm.
For a fluffy fringe look, run a fringe comb through the base cords to separate the fibres. For a cleaner minimal look, leave the cord ends intact without brushing.
Set the tree on a flat surface and adjust the shape with your hands — gently push the upper tiers outward and the lower tiers to widen the cone profile.
Tips for a Better-Looking Tree
Keep your square knots consistent. Uneven tension is immediately visible in the finished piece because every row is exposed. Take your time with the first few knots in each row to set the right tension, then maintain it.
Pin generously. The more T-pins holding your cords in place, the more control you have over row alignment. Do not try to hold the cords with one hand and knot with the other.
Metallic cord can be slippery. When tying accent cords, pull the knots tighter than you normally would. Metallic fibres tend to loosen slightly after you release tension.
Use the right cord thickness. 4mm cord shows square knot texture well at tabletop scale. If you go thinner than 3mm, the individual knots become too small to read clearly. Thicker than 5mm and the tree becomes stiff and hard to shape. See our macrame cord size guide for a full breakdown.
Display Ideas
A macrame Christmas tree works on its own, but a small cluster of three trees in different heights is especially striking. Make a tall version (30 cm), a medium (20 cm), and a small (12 cm) using the same technique with proportionally shorter cords.
Other display ideas:
- Pair with greenery — set the tree on a small wooden tray surrounded by preserved eucalyptus
- Add fairy lights — weave a battery-powered LED string through the knots before the final gathering step
- Colour variations — natural cord for a Scandinavian look, cream cord for traditional, or dip-dyed cord for a gradient effect
For more holiday macrame inspiration, our macrame Christmas decorations ideas post covers wreaths, ornaments, and garlands you can make using the same basic knot vocabulary.
What's Next
Now that you have made one tree, try adding large hole wooden beads to individual cords between rows for a classic ornament effect. If you want to expand your macrame knot vocabulary beyond the square knot, our 5 macrame knots every beginner should learn post is the natural next step — and several of those knots translate directly into holiday ornament projects.
