A macrame table runner gives a dining table that relaxed boho texture you see in pricey home stores. Christina from Cozy DIY Home made this one after spotting a similar runner at Anthropologie, using plain clothesline cord and three basic knots. It is not hard, but it is long. Hers took several evenings and ended up over 8 feet long. The pattern repeats, so once you learn one section you can keep going as long as your table.
How to make a macrame table runner: the short version
- Hang your folded cords on a rod with lark's head knots.
- Tie a straight row of half hitches.
- Make a zigzag of diagonal half hitches, then another straight row.
- Tie three rows of square knots, the middle row staggered.
- Close with a half hitch row and repeat the section to length.
- Cut it off the rod, knot the fringe and trim.
How much cord you need
Christina used 36 strands across. Add or remove strands in groups of four to make the runner wider or narrower without breaking the square knot pattern. A common rule is to cut each cord about eight times the finished length. She found six times was enough for this airy pattern. For an 8 foot runner, that is a lot of rope: she bought nine bundles. Measure your table, add the overhang you want on each end, and buy a little extra.
Choosing your cord
Cotton or cotton blend clothesline is cheap, sturdy and holds a knot well. Soft 4 to 5 mm macrame cord gives a more polished look and is kinder on your hands over a long project. Single twist cord brushes out into a soft fringe. Three ply cord keeps a neat twisted end. Stick to cream or natural for the classic boho look, since it hides crumbs and stains better than pure white.
Working on something this long
A curtain rod at a comfortable height works fine as a hanging bar. As the runner grows, let the finished part drape over a chair and then onto the floor, the way Christina does. Keep the spacing between rows even, about an inch, so the pattern lines up. Do not worry if it is not perfect. Handmade macrame looks best a little relaxed.
Care and use
Shake the runner out or spot clean it with a damp cloth. For a full wash, put it in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle and lay it flat to dry. Keep candles on a tray or plate rather than straight on the cord. A runner like this also works on a sideboard, a bed footboard or as a wall hanging.
Common problems
- Rows slope. Hold the filler cord level and snug each half hitch against it.
- Square knots twist into a spiral. You tied the same half twice. Alternate left and right.
- Running short on cord. Add a new length with a lark's head knot hidden behind a square knot.
More macrame
Practice the knots first: lark's head knot, half hitch and square knots. Then match your runner with macrame coasters or a wall hanging.
