Macrame has recently made a comeback, so I was excited to learn some of the basics for making macrame pieces myself at home. It’s surprisingly easy to make these twisted macrame keychains with colored beads and a fringe bottom, and you can whip one up in as little as 15 minutes. Customize them with colorful wooden beads and make this beautiful twisted look simply by repeating the same knot!
This is a great beginner macrame project, and when repeated, this left square knot creates a beautiful twisted pattern that looks much more complicated than it really is, so be prepared to impress everyone you know.
Materials:
- 6mm cotton macrame cord
- Scissors
- Keychain rings
- Beads
Step
Cut two pieces of macrame cord about 3 ft long or by measuring fingertip-to-fingertip length.
Step
Fold each piece in half, thread through a keychain ring and pull through the loop to secure. Repeat with the second piece so they are side by side on the same keychain ring with four equal length pieces hanging down.
Step
Tape the keychain ring to a table or hang on a pole so that it is stable. Working only from the two outer pieces of cord (the two middle pieces should remain untouched), make a triangle shape over the middle pieces with the left cord. Lay the right cord on top, twist behind the middle pieces and pull through the triangle shape (see above). Pull tight to create a left square knot.
Step
Continue this same knot on the same side about 4-5 times. It will begin to twist on its own. Then push a bead up the right side of the middle cord to meet the knot, repeat the knot several more times, add another bead on the left side and knot a few more times.
Step
When you’ve reached your desired keychain length, cut a separate piece of cord about 8 inches long. Place one end facing up and make a loop. Wrap the long end around all of the cords 2-3 times at the bottom of the last knot, pulling tight. Thread the end through the loop and pull up on the top cord to secure tightly.
Step
Trim the excess from the top piece of the last knot and even out the the pieces hanging from the bottom of the keychain. Unravel them to create a fringe tassel-like end to finish the keychain.
You’ll be amazed how quickly you can make these simple twisted keychains once you get the hang of it! I can’t wait to keep practicing macrame and learn more techniques!
