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Macrame Headband DIY
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How to Make a Macrame Headband

Create your own stylish macrame headband using just a few easy knots and soft cotton cord. This beginner-friendly project adds the perfect touch of boho charm to any outfit!
Active Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 1 macrame headband
Author: Debbie Chapman
Cost: $2

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

Step 1: Find what you need

  • Gather your supplies and materials.
    Macrame Headband Supplies

Step 2: Make a wrapping knot

  • Cut a 75 inch piece of 2mm macrame cord. Repeat, cutting 7 more pieces the same length (for 8 total).
    Line them up so the ends align.
    Macrame Headband
  • Slide a hair elastic around the cord bundle. Pull the ends down so they overlap about 2 inches.
    Macrame Headband
  • Cut another 20 inch cord to make a wrapping knot (also called a gathering knot).
    Place the cord on top of the bundle so one end overlaps the elastic. Bring the cord down 2 inches and back up, creating a loop at the bottom.
    Macrame Headband
  • Wind the 20 inch cord around the bundle. Wrap tightly and don't overlap the cords.
    Macrame Headband
  • When you get near the end of the cord, put it through the bottom loop. Then hold this end while pulling up on the cord at the top.
    Pull up until the bottom cord disappears inside the wrapping knot. Your wrapping knot should be about 1-1/2 inches long.
    Macrame Headband
  • Secure the cords to your working surface with painter's tape.
    Macrame Headband

Step 3: Form square knots

  • Separate out the leftmost and rightmost cords (cords 1 and 8) and make a square knot around the whole bundle.
    Place the left cord (cord 1) over all the middle cords and under the right cord (8), leaving a loop on the left.
    Then bring the right cord under the center cords and up through the loop on the left.
    Pull the cords so that the knot forms right under the wrapping knot. This is the first half of the square knot.
    Macrame Headband
  • Now bring the right cord over the middle cords and under the left cord.
    Then bring the left cord under the middle cords and up through the right loop.
    Pull the cord ends, forming the knot just below the last. This completes the first square knot.
    Macrame Headband
  • Repeat, making 4 more square knots (for a total of 5).
    Macrame Headband

Step 4: Make the first diamond

  • Separate the cords into 2 bundles, 4 cords on the left and 4 on the right. Hold cord 4 at a 45 degree angle outwards.
    Bring cord 3 under cord 4 and then back over cord 4 to the left, going down through its own loop.
    Pull the knot up against the last square knot.
    Repeat the same knot, tying cord 3 around cord 4. This completes a double half hitch knot.
    Macrame Headband
  • Continue holding cord 4 at the same angle. Work outwards, using cord 2 to tie a double half hitch around cord 4.
    Then repeat with cord 1. Cord 4 will now be on the outside of the bundle.
    Macrame Headband
  • Repeat this process on the right, holding cord 5 out to the right. Tie double half hitches around cord 5 using cords 6, 7, and 8.
    Macrame Headband
  • Make a square knot with cords 3, 4, 5, and 6.
    Macrame Headband
  • Separate the cords into 2 bundles again (cords 1-4 and cords 5-8).
    We'll be tying more double half hitches around the same cord (formerly cord 4, now in the cord 1 position). This time hold the cord on an angle in towards the right.
    Macrame Headband
  • Tie 3 double half hitch knots around cord 1, starting with cord 2 and working inward.
    Macrame Headband
  • Repeat these knots on the right, tying 3 double half hitches around cord 8.
    Macrame Headband
  • Finally, complete the first diamond by tying cord 4 around cord 5 in a double half hitch.
    Macrame Headband

Step 5: Make more diamonds

  • Repeat step 4 to make another diamond just below the first.
    Remember to keep your cord taut and in the proper direction as you make the hitches.
    Macrame Headband
  • Continue to make diamonds until you reach a length of between 13 and 14 inches.
    Depending on how tight your knots are, this means between 10 and 13 diamonds total.
    Macrame Headband

Step 6: Finish your macrame headband

  • Once you've completed your diamonds, tie 5 square knots below them.
    Macrame Headband
  • Remove the tape and bring the loose cord ends through the hair elastic. Line up the square knot sections.
    Macrame Headband
  • Fold the cord ends back over the elastic, creating a 1-1/2 inch section (matching the other side).
    Macrame Headband
  • Cut another 20 inch cord and make a gathering knot around the cord bundle. The cord ends should face the elastic, with the loop nearest the square knots.
    Macrame Headband
  • Trim the excess cord ends next to the gathering knots on either side.
    Macrame Headband
  • Your macrame headband is complete!
    Macrame Headband
  • Now have fun making them in different colours for all your friends, or so you can have one for every outfit and occasion!
    Macrame Headband

Video

Notes

Looking for more easy macrame crafts? Here's a few of our favourites:
Macrame Flower Keychain
DIY Macrame Plant Hanger
Macrame Lanyard