When you’re just starting out, reading patterns for a project can be very confusing. Knowing what type of string to buy is a total mystery. Today I’m sharing 19 macrame terms every beginner should know.

New to the art of macrame? Learn to macrame with these 4 basic macrame knots.
What is a sinnet? Twisted versus braided? It’s enough to make your head spin when all you want to do is create pretty pieces of fiber art. I get it!
So let’s talk macrame lingo.
First, let’s solve the mystery of macrame string. There is string, cord, and rope. They are 3 different materials and the way you want your project to look should determine which one you should use.
- Macrame String is super soft, single twist, and most commonly made from cotton. It makes a wonderful fringe and is perfect for wall hangings. I hesitate to use it with plant hangers because I want to make sure my plant hangers will hold my plants. It isn’t very forgiving to reworking so be careful if you have to untie and retie it too many times.

- Macrame rope is typically 3 cotton strands twisted around each other. It’s sturdier than string and not nearly as soft, but if you are making plant hangers it’s the perfect choice. I like rope the best because it holds it’s shape, is easier to untie and retie, and when fringing it is has a wavy look that seems more modern boho to me.

- Macrame cord is usually 6 strands braided together. It can be cotton or made from polypropylene (plastic). Cord is very strong and is the perfect choice when your project needs to hold a lot of weight. Think clothesline. When I first started I bought clothesline and it made some very structured pieces. It doesn’t usually fringe very well and will look fuzzy.
Now that that mystery is solved, let’s talk about some terms that will make reading a macrame pattern not seem like a foreign language.
Beginner knots and their abbreviations
- LHK – lark’s head knot. A lark’s head knot is used to attach rope to your project. It can also be used to attach rope to rope. Notice the loop is in front. This is done by placing the rope over the dowel rod.

- RLHK – reverse lark’s head knot. The same as above only in reverse. How you want your piece to look will determine which way you tie a lark’s head knot. The reverse lark’s head knot is tied by taking the rope under and over the dowel rod.

- HSK – half square knot. The left side of a square knot. Tying all HSK knots will give you a spiral pattern.

- RHSK – right half square knot. The opposite of the HSK. Tying all RHSK will give you a spiral pattern.


- SK – square knot. A half square knot and right half square knot together make a complete square knot. You will use square knots in every piece you make. It’s the easiest most fundamental knot you can tie.

- HHK – half hitch knot. A half hitch knot is a great knot to use to make borders or edges. This knot can also be tied left or right. A HHK is almost always made in pairs and so you will see the abbreviation DHHK used most often in patterns.

- It’s also important to note that a HHK can be tied vertical or horizontal so you may also see these abbreviations, VHHK and HHHK. Are you totally confused now?
- ASK – Alternating square knot. ASKs are made by taking half the cords from adjacent and tying a new knot the lays below and between where the cords orignate.

Other Macrame Terms You Need to Know
- Sinnet – A sinnet is a column of knots that are all the same.

Square knots are the most common knot used when making a sinnet of knots. I like to start my plant hangers using sinnets of square knots.
- Working cords – Working cords are all the cords in a macrame project.
- Knotting cords – Knotting cords are the ones that are used to tie the knots in your design.
- Filler cords – Filler cords are the cords that knots are tied around in your project.
- Row – a horizontal line of knots tied side by side, tied with a different working cord.
- Finishing knot – a knot that is tied to secure the ends of cords to keep them from unraveling.
This simple finishing knot ends the pattern of HHKs and keeps them from unraveling on these wooden purse handles.

- Gathering knot – used to gather cords together to secure them at the beginning or end of a project.

Gathering knots are often used to start and finish a plant hanger.
These macrame terms will get you started and ready to read a macrame pattern.
PIN TO PINTEREST!

Make sure to check out my simple wall hanging with beads made with SKs and HHKs and this easy keychain purse fob.
Desiree
Friday 25th of March 2022
Hello, I've started my first macrame project it's a flower pot hanger and going well. I've been working with 4 cords to make square knots. Now it says to use a piece of sticky tape to tightly bind the end of each of the anchor cords. Are anchor cords the two cords in the middle of the four I've used? Thread one long bead onto the anchor cord, one at a time. Grateful for some help. Thanks
Susanne
Saturday 26th of March 2022
Hi Desiree, Yes, the anchor cords are the two in the middle, although I call them filler cords. You can also use a bobby pin to pull them through your beads. Hope that helps!
Mischelle
Saturday 12th of February 2022
Hi I'm trying to follow a patten for a plant hanger called Teachers Pet but I don't know what it means when it says to 'untie all the cords?can u help please
Susanne
Saturday 12th of February 2022
Hi Mischelle! Is this at the bottom of the plant hanger, the pieces that hang down under the plant pot? If so this could mean to fringe out those cords by unwrapping them from each other. If you have cord that is made up of multiple cords twisted together you can separate them to make fringe. I that isn't it feel free to email me at macra-made@susannekstewart.com and I will see if I can help you figure it out.
Margaret Grech
Monday 23rd of August 2021
Why is it that I cut the amount of cord given and yet I always have too much cord left at the end of my work? Also sometimes it comes shorter than the pattern says? Regards Margaret
Susanne
Saturday 4th of September 2021
Hi Margaret! Unfortunately, I have not found a good way to be exact on measurement of chord needed and I always feel that to much is better than not enough. So many things affect the amount of chord you need - type of knots, how many knots, how intricate the pattern is - just to name a few. That is why I always measure out 3x the length of the finished piece in chord. Is that exact, no. I almost always have left-over chord. I'm sorry I don't have a better answer for you. As you do more you will get to know how much you need. Practice makes perfect
Shammu
Saturday 10th of July 2021
Iam from india,iam very happy to learn macrame.... Can u teach more....thank u
Shammu..
skstewart1220@hotmail.com
Monday 12th of July 2021
I will do my best! Glad this post was helpful to you!
Brigitte Hofmans
Thursday 6th of May 2021
Hallo, Eerst en vooral proficiat met de geweldigen en vooral duidelijke beschrijving. Ik ben nog maar en beginneling en heb de smaak goed te pakken. Maar hoe bereken je de lengte van uw touw? Bijvoorbeeld ik maak en muurhanger en de lengte moet 1m zijn. Hoeveel touw heb ik dan nodig? Groetjes Brigitte
skstewart1220@hotmail.com
Thursday 6th of May 2021
Hi Birgitte!
I normally measure 3 times the finished length in cord to make the project. I hope that helps!