How to make a macrame belt

Macramé gets a modern makeover with this retro-luxe belt – it channels a carefree 70s vibe that trend-following people will love.

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Holly Spanner

Published: July 5, 2024 at 12:39 pm

Seventies fashion is here to stay, and clothes from this era were all about fun. Our belt is made with a versatile knotting technique that captures the spirit of the decade with a stylish twist that brings this accessory bang up to date.

There are two basic knots in macramé and both are used here. The flat square knot makes the diamond motif and the thick rib that goes diagonally down the belt is worked using a half hitch knot.

The pattern is suitable for beginners, although practice working the two knots on shorter lengths of cord before you begin. Choose a firm yarn and check you can get four thicknesses through the beads.

Here's a top tip: a macramé board (or foam board that you can pin into) really helps to keep your work neat. If you feel that you need a refresher - check out our library of macrame knots.

Check out our other macrame projects for more inspiration, we love this macrame bracelet, or how about this macrame plant hanger? You can also find lots of ideas in our free macrame patterns round up.

We love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to share your macrame projects with us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, too!

To make a macrame belt you will need

Patons 100% mercerised cotton, 4ply
50 x 6mm wood beads with 1.5mm hole
Macramé board
Map pins
Darning needle
Small scissors

Size

2.5 x 130cm (1 x 51¼in)

How to make a macrame belt

Step 1

Fold 16 x 3.5m lengths of yarn in half to find the middle. Secure four lengths into each of the four middle slots at the top of the macramé board. Thread a bead onto the middle four cords. Separate the cords coming through the bead; tuck two in the side slots so there’s a right angle between the cords.
How to make a macrame belt

Step 2

Beginning in the middle, take the first right-hand cord under the diagonal cords, over the diagonal and back down on the left side of the vertical cord. Pull taut and then repeat with the same cord to create the half hitch knot. Repeat these two stages with each of the remaining right cords in turn.
How to make a macrame belt

Step 3

Repeat the process on the left, take the cord from under the diagonal cords, place over the diagonal and under again on the right side of the vertical cord. Pull taut and bring the cord around again to complete the knot. Repeat all the way out on each cord on the left side to create two diagonal ribs.
How to make a macrame belt

Step 4

To work the square knots: move four cords on each side out of the way. Working on the middle four cords, take the left cord under the two centre ‘core cords’ and over the right cord. Take the right cord over the two centre ‘core cords’ and down through the loop on the left.
How to make a macrame belt

Step 5

To complete the square knot, take the right cord under the two centre ‘core cords’ and over the left cord. Take the left cord over the two centre ‘core cords’ and down through the loop on the right.
How to make a macrame belt

Step 6

For the second row separate out the middle eight cords and work two square knots side by side. For the third row separate out the middle four cords and work a square knot. Work a square knot on either side too. To complete the diamond shape work a row of two square knots and then a single square knot in the middle.
How to make a macrame belt

Step 7

Insert map pins at the end of the rib on each side. Take the left pair of diagonal cords across and tuck into the slot on your macramé board, below the one you originally had on the right. Starting on the outer cords, work half hitches into the middle. Repeat the rib with the right pair of diagonal cords going into a slot on the left.
How to make a macrame belt

Step 8

Thread the next colour of bead onto the centre four cords using a darning needle and then repeat from step 2 until the macramé measures half the length required. Turn the belt around and repeat the macramé from the centre bead again. Trim the tails and thread beads onto pairs of threads. Tie each pair of cords with an overhand knot, to finish.
How to make a macrame belt

We hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial on how to make a macrame belt. If you like this, check out our other macrame projects, we love this macrame bracelet!

How to make a macrame belt

How to make a macrame belt

Staff Writer, BBC Science Focus

Holly is the Staff Writer for BBC Science Focus and looks after the popular Q&A section. She holds an MSc (distinction) in Geoscience (Space and Climate Physics) from UCL, and specialises in astronomy and earth sciences. Before joining Our Media, she worked as a geoenvironmental consultant and engineer, informing on ground risk and remediation in the north of England, while hunting for exoplanets in her spare time. Alongside this, she was regional editor of a popular theatre website for nine years, and has a solid background in curating and developing content for the digital space. Holly is also an artist and illustrator, and regular contributor to the craft website, Gathered. She has previously worked with the RSPB, English Heritage, Disney, Pilot and Brother, as well as on BBC Good Food magazine, Home Style magazine, and Papercraft inspirations magazine. She enjoys photography and has a sustained interest in antiques.