How to Tie a Square Knot (Macramé)

The square knot is the flat, sturdy knot that macramé is built on — two mirrored half-knots stacked together, worked with four cords, that sits flat instead of twisting. It’s the knot running through our plant hangers, the Classic Square Knot Plant Hanger first among them, and the one our beginners’ book teaches right after your very first knots.

Step by step

Start with four cords hanging side by side: the two outside cords are your working cords, and the two in the middle are the filler cords, which mostly just stand there while the working cords do the tying around them.
Cross the left working cord over the two filler cords so it makes a loose “4” shape, pointing to the right.
Lay the right working cord across the tail of that “4”, then take it behind the filler cords and bring it up through the loop on the left side.
Pull both working cords evenly out to the sides to snug the half-knot up. That’s exactly half a square knot — if you stopped here and kept repeating this same half, your work would slowly spiral, which is a different (and also lovely) knot.
Now mirror it. Cross the right working cord over the filler cords — a backwards “4” this time, pointing left.
Lay the left working cord across that tail, take it behind the filler cords, and bring it up through the loop on the right side.
Pull both working cords out evenly again. The two halves lock together into one flat, square-shaped knot with a neat bump on each side — if yours twists or leans, one of the halves was tied the same way as the other instead of mirrored.
Slide the finished knot up or down the filler cords to sit exactly where you want it, then give the working cords one last even tug. Square knots should sit shoulder to shoulder at the same height right across a row.
Work a few in a row and check the rhythm: left-over first half, right-over second half, every time. Swap which side leads all the way down a column (alternating square knot) and the columns ripple into the pretty zigzag bands you’ll see in our hangers and wall pieces.

Patterns that use it

Macrame for Beginners Vol 1 | 12 Starter Macrame Patterns PDF

Aussie Macrame Plant Hangers Vol 1 | 12 Macrame Patterns PDF

Aussie Macrame Plant Hangers Vol 2 | 12 Macrame Patterns PDF

Aussie Macrame Home Decor Vol 1 | 12 Macrame Patterns PDF

Aussie Macrame Keychains & Charms Vol 1 | 12 Macrame Patterns PDF

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Common mistakes

Tying the second half the same way as the first instead of mirroring it. Two identical halves don’t lock flat — they twist, and a column of them slowly spirals instead of sitting square.
Pulling one working cord harder than the other. The knot leans towards the harder pull, one bump swells while the other shrinks, and a row of uneven knots never sits shoulder to shoulder.
Letting each knot snug up wherever it lands instead of sliding it into place. Gaps creep in between knots down a column, and spacing that looked fine at the top drifts further apart as you go.

Tina’s tips

Keep the filler cords hanging straight and still — work with the piece hung up or pinned at the top, so gravity holds your four cords in order and both hands are free for the tying.
Say the rhythm under your breath as you learn: left over, right over, every single knot. It sounds daft, but after a dozen knots your hands take over the chanting and the knots come out even all by themselves.