Learn how to tie a macrame square knot with this simple, step by step tutorial! Possibly the most recognisable macrame knot, the square knot is also known as the flat knot, and in the paracord world, the cobra knot.
In macrame, we talk about holding cords and working cords. Holding cords are static and “hold their place”, and we use working cord to knot around them. The square knot is made up of two parts, and is usually tied around a static holding cord. To make it easier to see, I’m using a double ended cord, where I have joined two colours of cord together. This is just one piece of cord, I’m just using the dual colour to make it easier for you to see!
1.Secure a holding cord (shown here in white) down to your work surface. You can use some tape to stick it to a table, or there are cork and foam macrame boards with slots for securing. Place the mid-point of your working cord underneath the holding cord. You can see my double ended cord, which is blue and purple (remember, you working cord will be the same colour!)
2.Bring the left cord across on top of the holding cord, all the way over to the right. This creates a loop on the left.
3.Bring the right cord down over the tail of the left cord.
4.Bring the cord under the point where the left cord and holding cord cross. Make sure to go under BOTH cords.
5.Pull the cord up through the loop on the left.
6.Gently pull both cord ends to tighten. This is the first half of the square knot.
7.The second half is a mirror version of the first. So this time, bring the right cord across the holding cord, all the way over to the left.
8.Bring the left cord down over the tail of the right.
9.Take the cord under where the two other cords cross, and up through the loop.
10.Pull both the tails to tighten and complete your square knot.
11.To continue square knotting, go back to step 1, by bringing the left side across, and repeat all steps for as many square knots as you need.
12.This shows two complete square knots.
Top Tips
-If you are ever unsure as to which cord you need to bring across next, look for the vertical loops, which in my example are in purple. Whichever side has the lowest vertical loop is the side you need to bring the cord across next. In the example above, in step 12, the left side had the lowest vertical loop. So it is the cord on the left (which in this case is blue) that needs to come across.
-A square knot can begin on the right, by bringing the right cord across, just make sure you are alternating between left and right for each half of the knot. I always like to start on the left for consistency.
-You can also tell if you have done the same side in a row, if the knotting starts to twist. In fact, only knotting on one side is a knot in its own right, called the spiral knot, and is used for its twisting shape!
I hope you have found this tutorial on how to tie a macrame square knot helpful! Please let me know if you have any comments or questions below. If you want to learn even more macrame, look at my other macrame tutorials, macrame kits and digital macrame patterns.