A macrame pillow cover is a step up from a wall hanging: the same knots, but worked as a tube that wraps all the way around a pillow. Ashley from the Ashley Embers channel knots one from cotton cord on a wooden dowel, with a band of square knots, a row of half hitch diamonds, and a fringe edge. No sewing and no fabric cover needed.
Plan on an afternoon or two. The diamonds take the longest.
What you need for a macrame pillow cover
A pillow insert, cotton macrame cord, a dowel or rod to work from, sharp scissors and a bit of masking tape. Single strand cotton cord in 4 to 5 mm is the easiest to work with and frays into a soft fringe. An 18 inch insert is a good first size.
Knots used in this pillow
Three knots do all the work. The lark's head knot mounts each cord on the dowel. The square knot makes the netted bands, alternating so each row links to the one above. The half hitch tied along a diagonal cord draws the raised lines of each diamond. Practise each one on a scrap cord before you start.
How much cord to cut
Ashley measures the length of the pillow and cuts each cord about four times that. Knots eat a lot of cord, so err long. Mount enough cords to go all the way around the pillow, about twice its width, because the piece wraps into a tube with the seam at the side.
Sizing the cover
Knotted fabric shrinks as you work. Each row pulls the cords in a little, so a cover that looks the right size on the dowel ends up snug. Ashley had to force the insert in. Mount a few extra cords, or choose an insert one size smaller than the panel measures.
Planning the diamonds
Count your cord groups before you tie the middle row. Divide the cords into an even number of sections so the diamonds sit evenly, half on the front and half on the back. Ashley miscounted and ended up with seven, and recommends checking first. Taping each group keeps them from mixing.
Caring for a macrame pillow
Spot clean with a damp cloth. If the whole cover needs washing, untie the side ties, slide out the insert, hand wash in cool water and dry flat so the knots keep their shape. Comb the fringe with a wide tooth comb to fluff it back up.
Common mistakes
- Cords too short. Running out mid-row means adding cord, which shows.
- Uneven tension. Pull each square knot the same amount so rows stay level.
- Odd diamond count. Count groups before the middle row.
- Cover too small. Allow for shrinkage as you knot.
More macrame projects
Try a macrame wall hanging using the same knots on a smaller piece, or a macrame plant hanger to match the pillow.
Styling and gifting
Cream cord suits a neutral boho room, but cotton cord dyes well and comes in sage, rust and blush too. A colored insert behind cream knots shows through the gaps for a two-tone look. Pair two pillows on a sofa, one with diamonds and one in plain square knots. A finished cover with an insert makes a generous housewarming gift.
