A macrame garland is a string of small knotted sections linked together by wooden rings — the quickest way to get a dramatic fiber art effect for a party or wedding without the commitment of a large wall hanging. Each mini section takes about 20 minutes, so you can scale up or down depending on how long your space needs to be covered. This tutorial uses a modular approach: make identical sections, connect them with rings, and you have a garland that is as long or short as you need.
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What You Need
Before you start, gather:
- Single-Strand Macrame Cord (Regular Rolls) — 4mm is the ideal size. Single-strand drapes softly; 3-ply holds knot definition a little crisper. Either works. Use code KNOT10 for 10% off.
- 2" Wooden Rings — one per section plus two for the ends. These are your connectors and the mounting point for each mini section.
- Macrame Measuring Tape — a garland is only as even as your cord cutting. Consistent lengths make the difference.
- Sharp scissors and tape or a clipboard to anchor work while you knot.
If this is your first time working with macrame, the beginner's guide to macrame covers the basic knots used here — worth a quick read before you start.
How to Make a Macrame Garland
This garland is built section by section. Each section is a small knotted panel mounted on a wooden ring, with a short fringe at the bottom. You link sections together by connecting the bottom of one ring to the top of the next.
Step 1: Cut Your Cord Lengths
For each mini section, cut 8 cords at 60cm (24 inches) each. You will fold them in half, so each cord becomes two 30cm working ends once mounted.
For a 6-foot garland, cut cords for 6 sections — that is 48 cords total. Also cut 2 connector cords at 15cm (6 inches) for each join between sections. A Macrame Measuring Tape keeps this fast and accurate.
Step 2: Mount Cords onto the First Wooden Ring
Fold one 60cm cord in half. Place the folded midpoint over the front of the wooden ring, then pull the two tails through the loop — that is a lark's head knot. Repeat for all 8 cords, packing them closely around the ring. You will have 16 working ends hanging below.
If the ring feels crowded, use 6 cords instead of 8 for a lighter look. The number of cords controls how dense the knotted panel appears.
Step 3: Tie a Row of Square Knots
Group the 16 cords into four groups of 4 cords each. For each group, the two outer cords are working cords and the two inner cords are fillers. Tie one square knot per group, pulling each knot snug up against the wooden ring.
If you need a square knot refresher, the 5 macrame knots every beginner should learn post walks through the motion with photos.
Step 4: Tie a Second Alternating Row
Drop down about 1cm below row 1. Now regroup: take the 2 rightmost cords from group 1 and the 2 leftmost cords from group 2 to form a new center group. Tie a square knot. Move along and repeat — this creates the classic diamond lattice that makes macrame so visually appealing.
Leave the first 2 and last 2 cords without a partner for this row (they form the neat edges of the panel).
Step 5: Add a Third Row and Trim the Fringe
Return to the original groupings for row 3, matching row 1. Tie one square knot per group. Three rows is the right amount for a section that reads clearly from a distance without becoming too long or complex.
Trim the hanging fringe to 5cm (2 inches) below the last row for a clean look, or leave it at 8–10cm for something more relaxed and boho. You can always trim shorter later, so start conservatively.
Step 6: Repeat for All Sections
Make as many identical mini sections as you need. Keeping each one the same length and knot count is what gives the finished garland a polished look. Work through them one at a time — by section 3 or 4, the motions become automatic and the pace picks up.
Rough length guide:
- 4 sections → about 4 feet of coverage
- 6 sections → about 6 feet
- 8 sections → about 8 feet
These assume each section is roughly 12cm long (ring + knots + fringe). Adjust by cutting longer fringe or adding a fourth knot row if you want each section to cover more space.
Step 7: Connect Sections with Wooden Rings
Take a connector ring. Cut a 15cm cord, fold it through the bottom of one finished section (threading through a few fringe cords to anchor it), then loop it around the connector ring. Tie a secure double overhand knot and trim any tail.
Now mount the top ring of the next section onto the same connector ring with a lark's head knot — or simply loop the connector cord through both rings before knotting. Work down the chain until all sections are linked.
The 2" Wooden Rings are small enough to read as elegant connectors rather than hardware, which is why they work so well for wedding and party applications.
Step 8: Hang and Adjust
Drape the garland across a mantle, along a table edge, or between two anchor points. Step back and check that the sections hang evenly. If any section pulls lower than the others, the connector cord on one side is tighter than the other — gently loosen and re-tie.
To fluff the fringe, gently separate the individual cord plies with your fingers or a macrame fringe comb. This makes the fringe look softer and more voluminous, which reads beautifully in photos.
Tips for Party and Wedding Garlands
Match the setting. For a wedding, cream or white single-strand cord with a natural linen look tends to feel elegant. For a birthday or baby shower, a pop of color or metallic cord changes the mood entirely. The Metallic Mix Macrame Cord (Petite, 100m) adds shimmer without going over the top.
Plan your cord before the event. A garland is not a last-minute project — give yourself at least a week if you have never made one before. The knotting is easy, but cutting and staging cord for many sections takes time.
Store it properly. Roll finished sections loosely and store them flat. Hanging a completed garland in a bag can kink the fringe. Lay it flat in a box until you are ready to install.
Keep spare cord on hand. If a section tears during installation or the fringe gets caught on something, having a little extra matching cord lets you replace the section without re-buying.
Scaling Up for Longer Garlands
The modular approach is designed to scale. Need a 15-foot backdrop for a ceremony arch? Make 15 sections. The sections are small enough to transport easily even for destination weddings — roll each one individually and pack them flat.
For very long garlands, consider varying the fringe length slightly between sections — alternating short and long fringe creates rhythm without adding knotting time.
For more texture ideas to incorporate into your garland sections, see the macrame wall hanging ideas post — many of those patterns work as individual garland panels.
What's Next
Once you have made a garland, the next natural step is a full wall hanging. Our macrame plant hanger tutorial is a great place to apply the same square knot skills in a different format. And if you want to make your garland sections more elaborate, the easy macrame wall hanging with beads tutorial shows how to add wooden beads for extra texture.
