A macrame keychain is the perfect first project when you want to learn square knots without committing to a full wall hanging. You can complete a finished, functional keychain in under 30 minutes using just one short length of cord and a keyring. The technique is the same square knot used in every other macrame project — so this small project genuinely builds real skills.
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What You Will Need
- 4 pieces of 2mm or 3mm single-strand cotton cord, each about 40cm (16 inches) long
- 1 keyring (standard split ring) or a swivel lobster clasp if you prefer to clip it to a bag
- Sharp scissors
- Measuring tape
- A T-pin board or tape to anchor the keyring while you knot
For cord, the Single-Strand Macrame Cord (Petite, 100m) from Bochiknot is ideal — 100 meters gives you enough for dozens of keychains, and it comes in a range of natural and dyed colors. Use code KNOT10 for 10% off.
If you plan to clip your keychain to a bag instead of a keyring, the Swivel Lobster Clasps (10 pack) are a great option — they are smooth, easy to open, and look much cleaner than a basic split ring.
Understanding the Square Knot First
If you have never tied a square knot before, take two minutes to understand the structure before you start. A square knot uses 4 cords: two working cords on the outside and two filler cords in the middle. The working cords do all the movement; the filler cords just sit still while the square knot wraps around them.
The knot is tied in two halves:
- Left half: Left working cord goes over the fillers, under the right working cord.
- Right half: Right working cord goes under the fillers, up through the loop created on the left.
Pull both outer cords snug. That is one complete square knot. If you want to go deeper on the technique before starting this project, our guide to 5 essential macrame knots for beginners covers it in detail.
Step 1: Cut and Prepare Your Cords
Measure and cut 4 pieces of cord to 40cm (16 inches) each. Fold each piece in half so you have a loop at the top and two equal tails hanging down. This folded approach means you are working with 8 strands from the start, which is exactly what you need.
Step 2: Attach Cords to the Keyring
Hold the keyring with one hand (or clip it to your board). Take the first folded cord and place the loop behind the keyring. Pull the two loose ends through the loop and tighten toward the ring. This is a lark's head knot — it is fast, secure, and the standard way to attach macrame cords to any ring or dowel.
Repeat for the remaining 3 cords. You now have 8 strands hanging from the ring.
Step 3: Identify Working Cords and Filler Cords
You are going to work all 8 strands as one group of 4 doubled pairs. For simplicity, treat the two outermost strands as your left working cord and right working cord. The four strands in the middle are your filler cords. The filler cords stay still while you tie.
Clip or pin the keyring at the top of your board so it does not slip while you knot.
Step 4: Tie Square Knots
Now you are ready to knot. Work directly below the ring with no gap.
Left half of square knot:
- Take the left working cord (or group of two left strands) and cross it over the filler cords, laying it horizontally to the right
- Pass it under the right working cord
Right half:
- Take the right working cord and pass it under the filler cords
- Bring it up through the loop that formed on the left side
Pull both outer cords toward you to tighten. That is one square knot.
Tie the next square knot directly below the first, pulling each one snug before moving on. Aim for 6 to 8 square knots for a keychain body of about 4 to 5cm — enough to feel substantial in your hand without being awkward in a pocket.
Keep your tension consistent. The most common beginner issue is alternating between loose and tight knots, which makes the keychain look bumpy. If you notice unevenness, pause and check that you are pulling both working cords with equal pressure.
Step 5: Add a Bead (Optional)
If you want to add a wooden bead for a decorative touch, do it between two sections of square knots. After your third or fourth square knot, slide a Large Hole Wooden Bead onto the two filler cords. Push it down until it sits flush against the last knot, then tie the next square knot directly below the bead to lock it in place. The bead adds a natural, handmade look that takes the keychain from simple to considered.
Step 6: Finish with a Knot and Trim
After your final square knot, gather all 8 strands together and tie a simple overhand knot with the whole bundle. Pull it tight so it sits firmly against the bottom of the last square knot. This prevents the square knots from unraveling and creates a neat base.
Trim the fringe evenly to about 2 to 3cm below the overhand knot. Use sharp scissors — a clean cut matters here because fringe ends are highly visible on a small project. The 5" Gold Precision Macrame Scissors are worth having for exactly this kind of detail work.
Brush out the fringe with a fine-tooth comb if you want a softer, feathered finish rather than clean-cut ends.
Cord Selection Tips
The cord you choose changes the look and feel of the keychain significantly:
- Single-strand cord gives a soft, slightly fuzzy fringe that brushes out beautifully. Good for a casual boho look.
- 3-ply twist cord gives cleaner, more defined knots and a tighter, more structured appearance.
- 2mm cord makes a slender, lightweight keychain. 3mm makes a chunkier one that is easier to handle if you are still learning.
For your first attempt, stick with a neutral natural cotton in 2mm or 3mm. Once you are comfortable with the knot, experiment with dyed cord or metallic accents.
Scaling Up
Once you can make a single-column keychain, try a few variations:
- Double column: Attach 8 cords (16 strands) and divide into two groups of 4. Tie square knots on each group separately, then alternate-knot them together for a wider, flatter keychain.
- Spiral keychain: Tie only the left half of the square knot repeatedly without completing the right half. The column spirals naturally — this is the same technique covered in our spiral knot macrame tutorial.
- Tassel keychain: Skip the square knots entirely, attach a bundle of cords, gather them with a wrapping knot, and let the fringe hang. Fast and decorative.
These variations all use skills you already have from this tutorial, which is why the keychain is such a good teaching project. You can see exactly how the knot behaves in a small, controlled context before scaling it up to a wall hanging or plant hanger.
What's Next
Now that you have square knots locked in, the natural next step is a larger project that uses the same core technique. Our macrame plant hanger tutorial walks you through a full hanger using the same square knot — just more cords and more rows. If you want to explore knot variations first, the spiral knot tutorial builds directly on what you learned here and produces a beautiful twisted column effect.
