The square knot sinnet is the backbone of macrame plant hangers, bag handles, and bag straps. A sinnet is simply a continuous chain of full square knots tied one after another on the same set of cords, creating a flat, tightly braided column. It is one of the first structures every beginner should master because it shows up in nearly every intermediate project.
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What Is a Square Knot Sinnet?
The word sinnet (also spelled sennit) is an old sailor's term for a braided or knotted cord structure. In macrame, it almost always means a chain of square knots stacked directly on top of each other without any spacing between them.
The result looks different from spaced-out square knots. A sinnet has a flat, woven surface — almost like a thick braid — instead of the dotted or ladder-style look you get when you leave gaps between knots. That compact, rigid structure is what makes it perfect for handles and straps that need to hold weight.
Before starting, make sure you understand the basic square knot. Our beginner's guide to macrame covers the full square knot sequence if you need a refresher, and our 5 essential macrame knots guide is a good reference to bookmark.
What You Will Need
- Macrame Cord for Beginners (4mm 100m Roll) — 4mm single-strand or 3-ply cotton cord is ideal for learning. Use code KNOT10 for 10% off.
- Macrame Measuring Tape — precise measuring prevents running short mid-sinnet
- A dowel, hook, or rack to hang your cords from while you work
- Sharp scissors
Setting Up Your Cords
Sinnets typically run on four cords minimum (two working, two filler), but most plant hangers and bag handles use four to eight filler cords with two working cords on the outside. More filler cords make a wider, flatter sinnet.
For practice, start with four cords total. Cut them each to about 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) — this gives you enough length to practice without waste.
Mounting to a dowel: Fold each cord in half and attach it to the dowel with a lark's head knot. Four cords folded in half give you eight strands. The two outermost strands are your working cords. The six in the middle are your filler cords.
Hanging vs. working flat: Most makers find it easier to work with the cords hanging vertically, especially for plant hangers. Pin the dowel to a wall hook or clothes rack at a comfortable height so the cords hang freely.
How to Tie a Square Knot Sinnet
Step 1: Cut and Set Up Your Cords
Cut four cords and fold each one in half over your dowel or hook using lark's head knots. You now have eight working strands. Designate the far-left and far-right strands as your working cords and keep the middle six as fillers. Let them hang freely and separate so you can clearly see the outer cords.
Step 2: Tie the First Half of Your Square Knot
Pick up the left working cord. Cross it over the filler cords so it forms a sideways letter D shape on top. Now take the right working cord, lay it over the left working cord (the tail end, not the loop), pass it under all the filler cords, and bring it up through the D-shaped loop on the left side. Hold the filler cords taut with your non-dominant hand and pull both working cords outward to snug this half-knot up toward the mount. Do not pull too hard — you want it firm but not crushed.
Step 3: Complete the Full Square Knot
This is where many beginners stop too early. You must do the second half to complete a full square knot.
Take the right working cord and cross it over the filler cords, making a D shape on the right. Now take the left working cord, lay it over the right cord, pass it under the filler cords, and pull it up through the loop on the right side. Pull both cords outward again to tighten. You now have one complete square knot.
A completed square knot has a small "X" on each side and a flat center section over the fillers. If it looks like a loose half-knot or has an uneven bump, you likely did both halves starting on the same side.
Step 4: Repeat to Build the Sinnet Chain
Tie another full square knot directly below the first — the working cords should land right beneath the previous knot, not with a gap. Keep the same tension on every knot. After 4 or 5 knots the chain starts to look like a tight braid and you will feel the rhythm.
Aim to keep filler cords centered and under the same gentle tension throughout. If you let the fillers go slack, the sinnet will look uneven.
Step 5: Check Tension and Straightness
Every 5 to 6 knots, hold the sinnet up and sight along its edge. A well-tied sinnet is straight and lies flat. If it curves to one side, you are pulling harder with one working cord than the other. If it spirals, you are probably starting each half-knot on the same side (see the troubleshooting section below).
Fix tension problems as you go — it is much harder to adjust after tying 20 more knots on top.
Step 6: Finish or Continue Into the Project
Once the sinnet reaches your target length, you are done with this section. For a plant hanger arm, this might be 10 to 15 square knots. For a bag handle, it might be 40 or more. From here you can:
- Tie a gathering knot to close off multiple sinnet arms
- Transition directly into a basket section
- Fold the sinnet and attach it as a handle loop
Tips for Consistent Tension
Tension is the difference between a sinnet that looks hand-crafted and one that looks machine-made. These habits help:
Use your body as an anchor. For longer sinnets, holding the filler cords between your knees while working keeps them taut without needing a third hand.
Pull through, not up. Many beginners tighten by pulling the working cords straight up. Pull them outward and slightly downward instead — this seats the knot more evenly.
Grip the fillers above the knot. Pinch the filler cords just above the knot you are tying. This keeps them centered and stops them from drifting sideways.
Count your knots. If you are making multiple sinnet arms for a plant hanger, count every knot on each arm. An arm with 12 knots will be slightly longer than one with 10, and that throws off the whole hanger.
Common Sinnet Mistakes
The sinnet spirals. You are tying half square knots instead of full square knots. A full square knot always alternates the starting side. If you start every knot by crossing the left cord first, the column spirals to the left. Fix it: consciously alternate — left side first for one full knot, right side first for the next.
The sinnet has uneven bumps. Some knots are looser than others. Work on pulling the working cords with the same force each time. Tighter is generally better than looser for sinnets.
The filler cords are different lengths after finishing. This usually means the filler cords shifted sideways during knotting and got wrapped into the working knots. Start each knot by centering the fillers and pinching them in place before pulling the working cords through.
The sinnet is too stiff. You are pulling the knots too tight. Firm is correct; crushed is not. Each knot should sit snugly against the one above it without compressing the cord fibers.
Where to Use a Square Knot Sinnet
Plant hanger arms: The classic use. Each arm of a plant hanger is typically a sinnet of 8 to 15 square knots. Equal-length arms keep the pot level; shorter arms on one side tilt the hanger intentionally for a modern look.
Bag handles and straps: A sinnet of 30 to 60 square knots on two or three filler cords makes a sturdy, flexible handle. You can fold the sinnet in half and attach both ends to the bag body for a looped handle.
Decorative bands: A sinnet running horizontally across a wall hanging adds a dense textural stripe. Try alternating sinnet sections with open-spiral sections for contrast.
Keychains and jewelry: A short sinnet of 8 to 10 square knots on thinner cord (2mm or 1.5mm) makes a clean, professional-looking keychain or bracelet.
For more ideas on how sinnets fit into larger projects, see our macrame plant hanger tutorial and our guide on how to measure cord for macrame plant hangers.
What's Next
Now that you can build a consistent sinnet chain, try putting it to work in a full plant hanger — our macrame plant hanger tutorial walks through the whole structure step by step. If you want to add more variety to your knot vocabulary, our spiral knot tutorial pairs naturally with the sinnet technique.
