A macrame lantern is a knotted net cage that wraps around a glass jar to create a hanging candleholder or fairy-light display. You tie a simple square-knot net, slide a jar inside, secure the bottom, and hang it from a hook — the whole project takes under an hour and needs only cord, a jar, and an S-hook. This tutorial is designed specifically for beginners who want a finished piece that looks polished on the first attempt.
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What You Will Need
Before you start, gather everything so you are not hunting for scissors mid-project.
Cord:
- Single-Strand Macrame Cord (Regular Rolls) — 4mm weight, natural or off-white. You need roughly 16 meters for one pint-jar lantern. Use code KNOT10 for 10% off at checkout.
Hardware:
- S-Hook Rings — one per lantern, for hanging
Other supplies:
- A 16-ounce (pint) glass mason jar — the standard size that fits the net dimensions in this tutorial
- A flameless LED tea light or battery-powered fairy lights
- Sharp scissors and a measuring tape
- A small hook or clipboard to hold your work at eye level while knotting
If you are completely new to square knots, spend 10 minutes with our beginner's guide to macrame first. The square knot is the only knot used here, so one practice session is all you need.
How to Make a Macrame Jar Lantern
Step 1: Cut and Fold Your Cords
Cut 8 cords, each 2 meters (about 79 inches) long. Fold all 8 pieces in half at their midpoint. You now have 16 strands all connected at the fold. This folded group will become the full body of the lantern.
Step 2: Tie the Top Gathering Knot
Hold all 16 strands together at the fold point. Tie one firm overhand knot directly at the fold, pulling it as tight as you can. This knot becomes the top of the lantern and the loop that holds your hanging hardware.
If the loop feels too loose, tie a second overhand knot immediately below the first. The goal is a loop strong enough to bear the weight of the jar plus the water inside if you ever use it with fresh flowers.
Step 3: Divide Into Four Groups
Hang the top loop on a hook or clipboard at eye level — this makes the next steps much easier than working flat on a table. Separate the 16 cord ends hanging down into 4 groups of 4 cords each. Spread them out like compass points: roughly North, South, East, West.
Step 4: Tie the First Row of Square Knots
Tie one square knot with each group of 4 cords, positioned about 4cm (1.5 inches) below the gathering knot. Keep all four knots at the same height — this is the top rim of the net and determines how straight the lantern hangs. Take your time making this row level before continuing.
If you need a refresher on the square knot, our post on 5 macrame knots every beginner should learn covers it step by step with clear instructions.
Step 5: Alternate and Tie the Second Row
This is where the net pattern forms. Take 2 cords from one group and 2 cords from the neighboring group to form a new combination of 4. Repeat around all four sides so you have 4 new groups. Tie a square knot with each new group, dropping about 4cm below the first row.
The "alternating" part — shifting which cords work together from row to row — creates the diamond openings in the net that let the jar's glow shine through. This is the same technique used in macrame plant hangers, just applied to a smaller form.
Step 6: Repeat for Additional Rows
Continue alternating and tying rows of square knots, spacing each row about 4cm apart. For a standard 16-ounce mason jar (about 14cm tall), 3 rows of square knots plus the top gathering row is usually enough to cover most of the jar's height. For a taller 32-ounce jar, add one extra row.
A quick way to gauge: hold the knotted section against the jar as you go. Stop adding rows when the net reaches about 2cm above the base of the jar — the bottom gathering knot will cover the rest.
Step 7: Slide In the Jar
Gently push the jar base-first up into the net from below. The square-knot net will stretch and wrap around the glass. Ease it upward until the jar sits evenly inside, with the mouth of the jar at the top near the gathering knot. Adjust the cord groups so the jar is centered and the diamonds in the net are roughly symmetrical on all sides.
Step 8: Tie the Bottom Gathering Knot
Bring all 16 cord ends together below the jar's base. Tie a tight overhand knot as close to the glass as possible. This is what keeps the jar from slipping out, so pull it firm. A second overhand knot on top of the first adds extra security if the cord feels slippery.
Step 9: Trim the Fringe
Trim the cord ends hanging below the bottom knot to a uniform length — about 5 to 8cm creates a small tassel effect that finishes the lantern neatly. For a more minimal look, trim close to the knot and unravel the cord ends slightly for a soft fringe. For a longer, more dramatic tassel, leave 10 to 15cm.
Step 10: Attach the S-Hook and Hang
Slide one end of an S-Hook Ring through the top loop of the lantern. Hang the other end from a ceiling hook, a curtain rod, a plant bracket, or an outdoor pergola beam. Drop a flameless LED tea light into the jar and turn it on.
Variations to Try
Once you have one lantern finished, small changes produce completely different looks.
Color-dyed cord — natural off-white gives a classic boho feel, but sage green or dusty rose cord creates a more contemporary palette. Keep the same knot structure; only the color changes.
Mixed jar sizes — make a cluster of three lanterns using a small 8-ounce jar, a standard 16-ounce jar, and a 32-ounce jar. Hang them at staggered heights from a single branch or driftwood piece. This looks beautiful over a dining table.
Added beads — thread a large-hole wooden bead onto two or three cords before tying each square knot in the first row. The beads become part of the net pattern and catch the light beautifully. Our post on easy macrame wall hanging with beads shows exactly how to incorporate beads into cord work.
Longer fringe — leave 20 to 25cm below the bottom knot and unravel each cord end fully. This creates a long, fluffy fringe tassel that adds movement when the lantern sways.
Cord Tips for Lanterns
The net needs to stretch slightly around the jar, which means cord stiffness matters. A very stiff cord (like jute or rough hemp) will resist the stretching and produce an uneven fit. Soft single-strand cotton is more forgiving and molds to the curve of the glass naturally.
Four millimeter cord is the right weight for this project. Thinner cord (2mm or 3mm) creates finer diamonds with less visual impact; thicker cord (5mm or 6mm) can bunch around the jar and look clunky. Stick with 4mm for your first lantern.
See our macrame cord size guide if you want to understand exactly how cord diameter affects finished results across different project types.
What's Next
A macrame lantern is a great confidence-builder because the finished piece looks far more complex than it actually is. Once you are comfortable with the alternating square-knot net, try the same technique scaled up as a macrame plant hanger — the structure is nearly identical, just taller with a pot instead of a jar.
