How to Make a Macrame Table Runner (Easy Boho DIY)
Source: Cozy DIY Home • Full tutorial: www.craftingstepbystep.com/macrame/how-to-make-a-macrame-table-runner
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Hands-on time
- About 6 hours
- Cost
- About $50 to $90
- Makes
- 1 table runner
Tools
- curtain rod or dowel
- fabric scissors
- tape measure
Materials
- cotton clothesline or 4 to 5 mm macrame cord
Steps
1. Mount the Macrame Cords on a Rod With Lark's Head Knots
Cut your cords, then fold each one in half. Lay the loop over a curtain rod or dowel, bring it down behind and pull both tails through the loop.
Tip: Count your strands before you start. An even number divisible by four keeps the square knots tidy.
2. Tie a Half Hitch Row Across the Top of the Table Runner
Take the cord at one edge and hold it straight across the others as a filler cord. Wrap the next cord around it from back to front, then pull it through the loop you made.
Tip: Push each knot up snug against the one before so the row stays straight.
3. Work Diagonal Half Hitches Down From the Center
Find the middle of your cords. Use the center cord as a filler and angle it down and out, then tie half hitches along it the same way.
Tip: Hold the filler cord at the angle you want before tying, not after.
4. Join the Diagonal Half Hitch Lines at the Point
Where two diagonal lines meet at the bottom of each V, tie one more half hitch with the two filler cords to lock them together. It closes the point and keeps the zigzag from pulling apart when the runner lies flat.
Tip: Lay a ruler across the points to check they line up.
5. Tie a Second Straight Half Hitch Row Below the Zigzag
Leave about an inch of bare cord under the zigzag. Take the outside cord as your filler, hold it straight across and tie a half hitch with every cord, back to front and through the loop.
Tip: Pin the filler cord at both ends with a clip if it keeps slipping.
6. Tie the First Row of Square Knots in the Table Runner
Work in groups of four cords and leave about an inch of space above. Cross the left cord over the middle two in a backwards 4 shape.
Tip: Always start each knot from the same side so they all face the same way.
7. Tie a Staggered Row of Square Knots
For the next row, leave two cords loose at the edge and start your groups of four from there. Each new knot sits between two knots above, so the rows stagger into a mesh.
Tip: Count the loose cords at each edge before you start a row. It should be two.
8. Close the Square Knot Section With a Half Hitch Row
Leave an inch below the square knots, take the rightmost cord as your filler and tie another straight row of half hitches across. That finishes one full repeat: zigzag band, square knot band, straight rows between.
Tip: Take a photo of one finished repeat so you can match the spacing later.
9. Tie Overhand Knots in the Table Runner Fringe
When it is long enough, cut the cords right off the rod. Lay the runner on a table.
Tip: Tie all the fringe knots at the same distance from the last row for a clean edge.
10. Trim the Looped Ends Off the Macrame Fringe
The ends that were folded over the rod are still loops. Cut them open and trim the whole fringe to an even length with sharp fabric scissors.
Tip: Comb out single twist cord ends with a pet brush for a soft, fluffy fringe.
