The Best Macrame Cord of 2024
Macrame projects are so much fun! It’s incredible how easy it is to create stunning works of art with the best macrame cord. And, with our handy macrame tutorials, you’ll be crafting like a pro in no time.
If you’re new to macrame, don’t fret — we’ve got all the insider tips you need. Macrame is the art of knotting cords together to create decorative patterns and designs, often used to make items like dream catchers, coasters, and jewelry. And it’s not hard to do, either — these macrame earrings are made with only two simple knots!
With such a wide range of cords available (soft cotton, durable nylon, and more!), the hardest part is knowing which one is best for your next project. To find the top options out there, we looked at popular picks at online retailers, read through customer reviews, and made sure they were all good choices for our favorite macrame crafts!
Below, check out our ultimate list of the best macrame cords out there.
The 7 Best Macrame Cords of 2024
1. Best Overall: Noanta Natural Macrame Cord
If you want a macrame cord that can conquer a wide variety of projects, this 2-millimeter natural cotton cord is a great choice. Each roll comes with 220 yards of macrame cord, so one roll will last a long time. It also comes in 23 colors, which means you can easily customize your project or stock up on a few different options for your next crafts.
The cotton fibers are smooth and super soft to the touch, so it’s easy to work with and won’t hurt your hands, even when you’ve been at it for a while. Since the cord is gently twisted to make it tough and sturdy, we dubbed this option as the best macrame cord overall. It would be a great pick for our macrame necklaces, which require a 2-millimeter cord!
2. Best Macrame Cord for Bracelets: Boao Waxed Macrame Cord
This is definitely the best macrame for bracelets! It’s made of 3-ply polyester strands that are tightly wound and lightly coated with wax, which means it can stand up to all the wear and tear a bracelet will go through.
Since learning how to make macrame bracelets is super trendy these days, this macrame cord is a perfect choice for kids of all ages — even the coolest teenagers! They can pick any color they want from 30 different choices. Plus, this macrame cord is thin, so you can thread it with beads. The creative options are endless!
3. Best Macrame for Plant Hangers: Homebobo Natural Cotton Macrame Rope
We’ve featured this 2-millimeter cord in just about every tutorial on our site and love it as an all-purpose macrame cord. If we were tasked with making a plant hanger, this is the macrame cord we would reach for every time. The 4-ply strands make it heftier, so it’ll hold up against the weight of plants.
It can also be used to make things like necklaces and keychains, because it’s not too bulky. Since 109 yards come on each roll, it lasts a long time and it even comes in handy for jobs around the house!
4. Best Macrame Cord for Beginners: jijAcraft Macrame Cord
If you’re just getting started, a 3- to 5-millimeter macrame cord is often recommended. These diameters are more versatile and easier to work with. This cord from jijAcraft in particular is great for both newbies and pros alike, because the cotton strands stay twisted together when you work with it. This is important for when you have to undo a knot.
The soft cotton material also won’t hurt your hands if you need to unravel it to make fringe. Each roll is 109 meters long, which means it’s sure to last you through many macrame projects.
5. Best for the Outdoors: Sensy Premium Polypropylene Macrame Cord
This polyester blend macrame cord does well outside because it doesn’t absorb water like cotton macrame does. This is useful if you’re making outdoor plant hangers that also have to support a heavy plant!
This cord is 5 millimeters thick, so it’ll definitely stand up to the elements without extensive fraying. It also won’t get bleached out by the sun as fast. It’s pricey, but worth it for something that will last outside. Plus the colors are striking, allowing you to create eye catching outdoor crafts!
6. Best Macrame Cord for Earrings: Anthracite Color Macrame Cotton Cord
This is by far the best cord for macrame earrings we’ve found! It’s only 2 millimeters in diameter, so it’s not super bulky, allowing you to make jewelry that’s a bit more refined. It’s also a 3-ply strand, so it fans out to make really pretty tassels. Since the colors are rich and trendy, it’s a no-brainer for the fashionistas out there who want to make pretty accessories!
7. Best Macrame for Holiday Crafts: Mint Leaf Macrame Cord
If you’re thinking about gifts or decorating for the holidays, this is the macrame cord you want! Each roll is 328 yards long, and you can choose either 2-, 3-, or 4-millimeter cord. Select the size of cord that best fits the craft you’re planning to make. This cord is made from 3-ply strands, so it’s sure to last for many holidays to come. Purchase a roll of each hue in your preferred color scheme to really make your macrame projects pop.
You can use it to make a macrame Christmas tree or to add pops of color to a macrame Christmas wreath. It’s a great gift idea for friends and family and looks super cute tied into a bow around packages.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi, I’m Debbie Chapman, and I’m the founder of One Little Project! We love developing creative, fun crafts like macrame, candles, and DIY body care. Back in 2012, I started taking pictures of the things I love making and posting them online. From there, OLP has flourished into a full-blown business!
We love macrame projects because they’re so easy to make, and it doesn’t take a lot of planning or cost a lot to get started. Once you learn the knots, you’ll see how quickly and easily you can make a beautiful piece of art. Just be careful, you might get hooked!
To make this list of the best macrame cord, we didn’t follow any brand in particular. We just went with what we typically use and what works best. After that, we looked around online for other top-rated options from online retailers, reading customer ratings and reviews to make sure the quality was up to par.
What to Know About Macrame Cord
Things to Consider When Choosing Cord for Macrame
Since it can be hard to pick the best macrame cord to use, we wanted to give a bit more information about the different cords. There really isn’t a clear right or wrong, but some cords are a little better for some types of projects than others.
Type of Project
For items exposed to the elements, like outdoor plant hangers, opt for weather-resistant and durable cords like nylon or polyester. For delicate accessories or interior decor, softer cottons are best.
- Pro tip 1: We’ve found that it’s easier to cut your macrame projects using fabric scissors like these from Fiskars.
- Pro tip 2: If you need the cord to lay flat on the wall and not droop, you can use Aleene’s Stiffen Quik fabric stiffening spray or spray starch (or even hairspray!) to give the project some stiffness.
Material
Macrame cord is sold by thickness, usually in millimeters, and sometimes by ply (how many strands that are twisted together). Most macrame cord is cotton, but it can also come in other materials like polyester, silk, jute, hemp, and nylon. Each material offers unique characteristics, such as softness and strength.
Thickness (Diameter)
Macrame cord typically comes in 1 to 5 millimeter thickness. Most people advise beginners to start with a 3- to 5-millimeter cord, because it’s easier to work with.
- 1 to 2 mm cord is classified as small and is typically utilized for crafting jewelry or intricate pieces. We would definitely not use them for outdoor projects!
- 3 to 5 mm cord falls into the medium category, and this is the thickness that most people tend to use for plant and wall hangings.
Strand Type
Macrame cord comes as either a single twist or a 3-ply twist. Here’s what each term means:
- Single Twist: This type of cord has a single strand of fibers twisted together. They’re usually smoother and more flexible compared to multi-ply cords. Smaller-scale macrame projects like jewelry tend to use single-twist cord.
- 3- or 4-ply Twist: A 3-ply twist cord is made up of three individual strands of fibers twisted together to form a single cord. This makes a thicker and more substantial cord, adding strength and durability. 3-ply twist cords are great for larger projects that require sturdier support and are also easier for little hands to work with.
What Cord is Best for Macrame?
We tend to like cotton macrame the most, but keep in mind that this means it’ll shrink. You can spot-wash your creations using mild soap and lukewarm water, then air dry it away from direct sunlight. You can wash things like coasters in the washing machine on the delicate cycle if needed, but you should probably lay them out flat to dry.
What is the Best Size Cord for Macrame?
We’ve used 2-millimeter thickness for indoor plant hangers and colorful crafts. It’s strong enough to hold plants in plant hangers, and it’s not too bulky for other projects, like necklaces, bracelets, or keychains.
Macrame websites recommend 3-to-5 millimeters for beginners and most macrame crafts since it’s versatile and easy to work with. (For instance, we recommend using a 3-millimeter macrame cord to make DIY coasters.)
Wall art and bigger projects use a cord that’s 6 millimeters and up. The knots are bigger, so you’ll need more length of the rope, which can get pricey.
What is the Best Place to Buy Macrame Cord?
We’re not loyal to any particular brand or retailer. We look on Amazon for the color and size we want, and then we find the best price. You can always find great options at Michael’s and JOANN Fabrics as well.
More Great Macrame Tutorials
Once you’re ready to get started with your new macrame cord, check out the blog for a full list of our macrame projects. Here are a few of our favorites:
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
