A macrame hanging basket is one of the most practical things you can make with cord and knots. The basic structure is a net of alternating square knots suspended from a ring, closed at the bottom with a gathering knot — strong enough for produce, lightweight groceries, or bathroom storage. This tutorial builds a flat-bottomed basket sized for kitchen use, but the same technique scales up for larger storage or scales down for a smaller pot holder.
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What You Will Need
Cord
The most important choice is cord thickness. 4mm or 5mm single-strand cotton cord is the right range for a functional basket. It knots smoothly, holds weight without stretching excessively, and is soft enough to handle for 90 minutes of knotting. Thinner cord (2mm or 3mm) makes a beautiful decorative piece but will stretch and distort under real grocery weight.
The Single-Strand Macrame Cord (Jumbo Roll) is ideal for this project — you will use 35 to 40 meters depending on how tall you make the basket, and having extra on a large roll means no mid-project splicing. Use code KNOT10 for 10% off.
You will need approximately 8 lengths of 4 meters each (32 meters minimum). Cut a few extra at the start if you want a taller basket.
Hardware and Tools
- One wooden ring or metal ring, 5–8cm in diameter, for the top hanging point
- A Macrame Board with T-Pins to keep rows level and evenly spaced
- A Macrame Measuring Tape for consistent spacing between rows
- Sharp scissors
If you are still building your tool kit, the Complete Macrame Tool Kit covers scissors, a comb, and pins in one purchase.
How to Make a Macrame Hanging Basket
Step 1: Cut and Mount Your Cords
Cut 8 lengths of cord, each 4 meters long. Fold each cord in half and attach it to your ring using a lark's head knot: fold the cord over the ring, then pull the two loose ends through the loop and tighten. Repeat for all 8 cords.
You now have the ring at the top with 16 working ends hanging below it.
Pin or hang the ring at a comfortable working height. A hook on the wall, a doorknob, or a dedicated macrame stand all work. If you are using a macrame board, pin the ring to the top of the board.
Step 2: Divide into Groups
Separate the 16 ends into 4 groups of 4 cords each. Space them evenly around the ring so the basket will be roughly circular. Each group of 4 will form one column in the alternating square knot pattern.
Step 3: Tie the First Row of Square Knots
Working with one group of 4 cords at a time, tie one square knot in the center of each group, positioned 5cm below the ring. A square knot uses the 2 outer cords as working cords, wrapping around the 2 inner filler cords.
If square knots are still new to you, review the beginner's guide to macrame before continuing — solid square knot technique is essential for a basket that holds its shape under weight.
After this row, you have 4 square knots positioned around the ring, each 5cm down.
Step 4: Alternate to the Second Row
This is the step that creates the net structure. Instead of tying square knots within the same 4-cord groups, you shift the groupings:
- Take 2 cords from one group and 2 cords from the neighboring group.
- Combine these 4 cords and tie a square knot 5cm below the first row.
- Repeat this process all the way around.
When you complete this row, you will have 4 square knots that sit in between the knots from the first row — offset by half a column. This creates the diamond-shaped openings that give a macrame basket its net appearance.
For consistent spacing, use your Macrame Measuring Tape to keep every row exactly 5cm apart. Uneven spacing is the most common reason a basket looks messy.
Step 5: Continue Alternating Rows
Keep repeating the alternating pattern. Row 3 goes back to the original groupings. Row 4 offsets again. The pattern just alternates every row.
Continue until the net section is 25 to 30cm tall from the ring. This gives a basket that comfortably holds a few pieces of fruit or a bundle of garlic and onions. If you want a deeper basket for more storage, extend to 35–40cm.
As you work, the basket will naturally start to curve inward slightly when hung. This is normal and helps form the basket shape.
Step 6: Form the Base
Gather all 16 cord ends together at the bottom of the net section. Pull them together evenly so the basket closes into a rounded shape.
Tie a large overhand knot or a gathering knot with all cords held together, pulling it snugly against the bottom of the net. This closes the basket and forms the base.
A gathering knot (wrapping one cord around the bundle multiple times) gives a cleaner, more decorative finish than a plain overhand knot. Either works structurally.
Step 7: Trim and Finish
Trim the cord ends below the base knot to an even fringe — 5 to 8cm looks proportionate for a basket this size. You can comb the fringe out with a Macrame Fringe Comb for a soft, fluffy finish, or leave it tightly trimmed for a more structured look.
Hang the basket from the ring using a loop of cord, an S-hook, or a command hook mounted to the wall or ceiling.
Adjusting the Size
The basket above is sized for light kitchen storage. Here is how to scale it:
Smaller basket (pot holder, bathroom): Use 6 cords instead of 8, each 3m long. Reduce row spacing to 3cm. Use a 4cm ring.
Larger basket (farmer's market, laundry): Use 12 cords, each 5m long. Keep or increase 5cm row spacing. Use a 10cm or larger ring.
Tighter weave (smaller items): Reduce row spacing to 3cm. This closes the openings and prevents small items from slipping through.
For cord sizing decisions, the macrame cord size guide walks through how thickness affects both aesthetics and load capacity.
Cord Choice Matters for Functional Baskets
Decorative macrame can use almost any cord. A functional basket needs a cord that handles real weight without distorting. Here is the short version:
Single-strand cotton (the Bochiknot cord used here) stretches slightly under load but returns to shape well. It is the best all-around choice.
3-ply cotton is stiffer and holds structure better, but the twist can make square knots tighter to work. It is a good option if you want a basket that holds its shape even when empty.
Bamboo cord is strong but has less give, which can make the basket feel rigid. Better for decorative baskets than grocery use.
The cotton vs bamboo macrame cord article covers the tradeoffs in more detail if you want to explore material options.
Tips for a Better Basket
- Keep tension consistent. Loose knots in one section and tight knots in another will make the basket uneven and cause it to hang crooked.
- Work from the top down. Gravity helps you maintain consistent spacing. Trying to adjust a bottom row while the top is locked makes it much harder to fix uneven sections.
- Test weight before hanging permanently. Fill the basket with what you plan to store and let it hang for 10 minutes before mounting it in its final spot. This lets you spot any knots that are pulling loose.
- Use T-pins on your board. Pinning each row level before tying the next is faster than eyeballing and then re-doing uneven rows later.
- Two rings instead of one. For very heavy storage use, thread two rings together at the top or use a metal ring instead of wood. Metal rings do not flex under load the way wood can.
What's Next
If you want to extend this technique into a plant hanger, the macrame plant hanger tutorial uses a very similar alternating square knot structure with a few adaptations for holding pots. For a taller wall piece that uses the same knot vocabulary, try the easy macrame wall hanging with beads — a good project to practice consistent row spacing on a flat surface before making another round basket.
