Macrame Keychain DIY: Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Macrame has been making a big comeback in recent years​-and it’s not hard to see why. With just some simple knots and cords, you can create beautiful boho accessories. As a 25-year-old DIY enthusiast, I vividly remember making my first macrame keychain. I was hooked by how quick and fun it was – I finished it in one sitting, proudly clipped it to my keys, and even made a few for friends as gifts. In this post, I’m sharing a beginner-friendly Macrame Keychain DIY tutorial, complete with personal tips and a touch of storytelling, to guide you through crafting your own stylish keychain.

Why a macrame keychain? It’s an ideal starter project if you’re new to macrame (or even crafting in general). Macrame might look intricate, but trust me, it’s actually very simple. In fact, if you can tie a basic knot, you can do macrame​. This keychain uses only three easy knots – the lark’s head, a repeated half knot (spiral stitch), and a gathering knot to finish – nothing too fancy​. The result is a cute, boho-chic keychain tassel that adds personality to your keys or bag. And the best part? It’s fast! You can complete one in around 10 minutes flat​, even if you’re a beginner, making it super satisfying for a quick creative break.

So, ready to dive in? Grab some cord and let’s get knotting! Follow along with the step-by-step guide below, and I’ll share my own experiences and tips as we go. By the end, you’ll have a lovely handmade macrame keychain and (hopefully) a newfound passion for this relaxing craft.

How to Make a Macrame Keychain: Step-by-Step DIY Guide

Before we start, make sure you have all the supplies and a comfy workspace. I like to macrame by my window with a cup of coffee – it’s my little crafting ritual. Feel free to personalize your setup and enjoy the process!

Supplies You’ll Need

• Macrame cord – about 2 pieces of 3–4 mm diameter cotton cord, ~3 feet (90 cm) each. (This length makes about a 5 inch keychain with tassel. It’s okay to err on the longer side – you can trim excess. Rule of thumb: if folded in half via a lark’s head, use roughly four times your desired finished length​.)
• Keychain ring or clasp – A 1 inch (2.5 cm) diameter key ring or a lobster clasp works great.
• Scissors – sharp enough to cut the cord cleanly.
• Extra cord – one shorter piece (~6 inches) of cord for the final binding gathering knot. (Can be same cord or thinner.)
• Tape or board & pins (optional but recommended) – to hold your project steady. You can use masking tape to secure the ring to a table, or use a macrame board/clipboard with clips.

Quick Tip: Using tape or a clipboard to hold your keychain ring will make knotting much easier. Beginners often struggle with the work sliding around – securing it frees up both hands and keeps your knots even.

Step 1: Prepare Your Cords and Attach to the Keychain Ring

First, take your two 3-foot cords and fold each in half. You will attach both cords to the ring using a lark’s head knot:

1. Hold one folded cord by the looped midpoint. Insert that loop through the key ring (from front to back).
2. Grab the two loose ends of the cord and pull them through the loop, around the ring.
3. Pull tight to secure. This creates a lark’s head knot, fixing the cord to the ring.

Repeat the above with the second cord on the ring. After this, you’ll have 4 hanging cord ends (since 2 folded cords make 4 strands) attached to your keychain ring. Arrange them so they hang neatly. These will be the strands you work with for knotting.

Why this step matters: The lark’s head knot is your project’s foundation, holding your cords onto the ring​. It’s a super easy knot but absolutely essential – consider it the “anchor” for most macrame projects. Take a moment to ensure these knots are snug and even, as it sets the stage for the rest of your keychain.

Quick Tip: If the cords are sliding around on the ring, use a bit of tape to hold the ring down, and make sure you pulled the lark’s head knots tight. A secure start makes the following steps easier.

Step 2: Start Knotting the Spiral Pattern (Half Square Knots)

Now for the fun part – creating the spiral design. Don’t let the word “knot” scare you here. We’re basically going to tie the same simple knot over and over in sequence, which will naturally form a spiral twist. This knot is essentially a half of a square knot (also known as a half knot). By repeating the half knot in the same direction, it will twist into a spiral pattern.

Here’s how to tie the spiral knot step-by-step:

1. Identify your cords: You should have 4 strands hanging (let’s number them 1, 2, 3, 4 from left to right). Strands 1 and 4 (the outer left and outer right) will be your working cords. Strands 2 and 3 (the two middle ones) will be the center base that the knots wrap around.
2. Take the left working cord (strand 1) and cross it over the two middle cords (2 and 3), laying it in a horizontal “4” shape. Its end will now be on the right side.
3. Now take the right working cord (strand 4) and place it over the end of the left cord that you brought across, then under the middle cords, and finally through the loop of the “4” on the left side. (Basically, it goes over-under-through, following the path of that “4” loop you made.)
4. Gently pull both working cords (the left and right strands) to tighten the knot up toward the ring. You’ve made your first half-knot! It should look like a loop around the center strands.

Now, keep repeating that exact same knot: always start with the left cord over the middle, right cord under and through. Each time you tighten, slide the knot up snugly against the previous one. After a few repeats, you’ll notice the pattern of the knotting starts to twist – that’s your spiral forming!

Continue tying these half square knots until you have a nice length of spiral. For a standard keychain, about 10–12 half-knots (each “half knot” is one tying sequence as described) will give roughly ~3 inches of knotted section. The cords will naturally begin to spiral as you go; you can let them twist or help guide the twist evenly with your fingers as it grows.

Don’t worry if your first few knots look a bit loose or uneven. As you continue, you’ll get a feel for the tension. Consistent tension is key – try to pull each knot with the same firmness so the spiral is uniform. Mine looked a little wonky at first, but evened out after a few more knots.

If you ever lose track of where you are, just remember: always start each knot with the same side (left over middle) to maintain the spiral. Resist the urge to alternate sides – alternating would create a flat square knot pattern instead of a twist. Here we want that pretty twist!

Step 3: Finish with a Gathering Knot (Wrapping Knot)

Once your spiral section reaches your desired length (I stopped at about 3 inches of knots, leaving a couple inches for the fringe), it’s time to secure the end so it doesn’t unravel. The finishing knot we’ll use is called a gathering knot (also known as a wrapping knot). This knot binds all the strands together neatly and creates that polished loop at the end of the knotted section, just above the fringe.

Follow these steps to tie the gathering knot:

1. Take your extra 6-inch piece of cord set aside for this. Form it into a U-shape (a hairpin bend) and place it alongside the bottom of your braided section, with the bottom of the “U” pointing downward past the end of your spiral knots and the two ends of the “U” sticking up alongside your project. Essentially, you’re holding the U-shaped cord parallel to the dangling strands, with a loop at the bottom and the ends sticking out at the top where your spiral ends are.
2. Firmly hold that U in place along the bundle of cords. Now take the long end of the U-shape (one side will be longer) and start wrapping it around all the strands (including over the other end of the U) tightly. Wrap downward, going around the bundle about 4–5 times to create a neat coil. These wraps should cover the spot where you placed the U and secure the bundle.
3. After wrapping 4–5 turns, take the wrapping cord’s loose end and pass it through the loop at the bottom of the “U”. (This is why we left that U-loop sticking out.)
4. Now, locate the top end of the U cord that was sticking out at the top of your wraps. Pull that top end firmly. This will draw the bottom loop up inside the coils, snugging the loose end under the wraps. Pull until the bottom loop — and the end you tucked through it — pops underneath the wrapped coil. You might feel a little click as it hides under.
5. Finally, trim the excess ends of the 6-inch cord. Both the top end and the bottom end of that cord should now be buried under the tight wraps, securing the whole thing.

This gathering knot effectively binds all your strands together so the spiral knots won’t unravel. If done correctly, the wrap is tight and the cord ends are hidden inside, giving a clean finish. Take a moment to tug gently on your keychain strands; the wrapped section should hold everything firm.

Don’t stress if this takes a couple of tries – it’s a bit like magic how it locks in place. The first time I attempted a gathering knot, I had to redo it because I didn’t pull the loop in far enough. If your loop doesn’t tuck in fully, just try again making sure to wrap tightly and pull the end sharply. Once it’s done, though, you’ll likely have an “aha!” moment at how clever this knot is.

Step 4: Fray and Trim the Fringe

With the main knotting done and secured, all that’s left is to add some finishing touches to make your keychain look polished. Those cord ends dangling below the gathering knot will form the tassel fringe.

• Release the strands: If the bottom loops of your cords (from when you folded them at the start) are still intact, cut them open so all strands are free. You should now have several loose strands hanging (for our two cords folded, that means 4 strand ends in the fringe).
• Fray the cords: Most macrame cords are twisted or braided. Use a comb, a brush, or simply your fingers to unravel and comb out the strands. Brush each strand until it separates into thinner fibers, creating a fluffy fringe. This gives that classic tassel look at the bottom. (This part is oddly satisfying – I love watching the strands puff out into a fringe.)
• Trim the ends: Gather the fringe together and trim the ends straight across (or at an angle, or into a V shape – get creative!) to whatever length you like. For example, you might trim it to about 1.5 inches of fringe. Make sure all ends are even and neat. Sharp scissors help a lot here for a clean cut.

Give the keychain a little shake; the fringe should be nicely splayed and even. If you want, you can customize further by dipping the fringe ends in fabric dye for a pop of color (as some crafters do), or adding a small bead above the gathering knot (slide it on before the gathering knot and then tighten the knot below it to hold the bead). But even left simple and natural, your macrame keychain is now complete and looking fabulous!

And you’re done!  Take a moment to admire your handmade macrame keychain. Attach it to your keys, purse, or backpack and show off that boho flair. Personally, the first time I finished one of these, I immediately felt a surge of pride (and immediately started planning my next macrame project – fair warning, macrame can be addicting in the best way).

By following these steps, you’ve not only created a cute accessory, but also learned the foundational knots of macrame. Pretty cool, right? Remember, practice makes perfect. Your next keychain (trust me, there will be a next one) will be even quicker and cleaner as you build muscle memory for the knots. I hope this guide empowered you to realize that macrame isn’t as intimidating as it looks. It’s all about simple techniques and a bit of creativity – even a newbie can craft something beautiful. Now, let’s tackle some common questions you might have as a beginner:

Macrame Keychain DIY – FAQ

Even after a detailed tutorial, you might have a few questions – and that’s totally okay! Here I’ll answer some frequent questions beginners ask about making macrame keychains. If there’s anything I wondered about when I started, I’ve included it here. Hopefully these FAQs clear up any remaining doubts and help you gain extra confidence for your macrame journey.

1. Do I need to know macrame knots beforehand to make this keychain?

Not at all. This project is designed for complete beginners. You only need to learn a couple of very basic knots which we used in the tutorial (lark’s head, half knot, and a gathering knot). I’ve described each step, so you can learn-as-you-go. In macrame, once you learn a knot by doing it a few times, you’ve got it! Remember: “Anyone who can tie a knot can do macrame.”​

2. What is the best type of cord to use for a macrame keychain?

For keychains, soft cotton macrame cord (3mm or 4mm thickness) is most popular. Cotton single-twist (single strand) cord is great for beginners because it’s soft, easy to knot, and makes a lovely fringe when unraveled. You can also use 3-ply twisted rope or braided cord, but note that stiffer cords or ropes might require a bit more length (they don’t cinch as tight, so you use more per knot). In this tutorial, we used cotton cord about 4mm thick, which is perfect for a chunky keychain. You can experiment with thinner cord or even yarn for a daintier keychain, but I find 3-4mm gives a nice substantial feel. Also, feel free to play with colors – there are lots of dyed cotton cords available, so you could make a colorful ombré keychain by using colored cord or by dyeing the fringe (as some crafters do for added flair).

3. How much cord do I need for one keychain?

You might be surprised, but you don’t need a ton of cord. For the pattern we did (about a 5-6 inch finished keychain with fringe), roughly 2 pieces of 3 ft each (plus a short piece for the gathering knot) was enough. A good general guideline for macrame projects is to use about 4 times the length of your intended final piece (especially when cords are folded in half for lark’s head)​.

We wanted ~6 inches of knots/fringe, so we used about 24 inches doubled (which is ~48 inches total per cord, i.e. about 4 feet). We gave a bit extra (36 inches doubled to 18 inches) to be safe. If you follow the tutorial lengths, you should have a little cord left to trim off. Having extra is better than coming up short. If you decide to do a lot more knots or add complexity, adjust the length accordingly. But for a straightforward keychain like this, 2.5–3 feet per cord (before folding) is plenty for most common cord types.

4. Can I add beads or charms to my macrame keychain?

Absolutely! Adding beads is a fun way to personalize your keychain. There are a couple of ways to do it:

• Slide a bead on the center strands: After you’ve attached your cords to the keyring and maybe tied a couple knots, you can slide a bead up the two middle cords so it sits beneath those knots. Then continue knotting below the bead to lock it in place. This works well if you have a larger bead with a hole that can fit multiple strands (or only use one cord on a smaller bead).
• Add beads to the fringe or as finishing touch: You can also tie a bead at the very end of your spiral section (right before the gathering knot). For example, thread a bead through all the strands (if it fits) or at least the two middle strands, snug it up, then do the gathering knot below the bead. The bead will sit just above the tassel and be held by the wrapping.
• Charms on the ring: Instead of integrating into the knots, you can simply attach a cute charm or metal pendant to the keyring alongside your macrame. This doesn’t involve the knotting itself but gives a layered look.

Just be mindful that adding beads will slightly change how much cord you need (a bead might take up space where knots would be), but for one or two beads it’s usually negligible. Be creative and have fun customizing your piece!

5. How long does it take to make a macrame keychain?

One of the great things about this project is how quick it is. On average, it takes only around 10-15 minutes to make one keychain​

6. Any tips for keeping my macrame keychain looking good?

Over time, the fringe might get a bit messy from being in your bag or pocket. To keep your macrame keychain looking its best:

• Comb out the fringe occasionally – Just use a fine comb or even your fingers to re-fluff the tassel if it gets tangled or twisted. This will restore its volume and straightness.
• Trim flyaway fibers – After some use, you might see a few stray strands coming out of the fringe or any uneven bits. Feel free to give it a tiny haircut to even out the ends again.
• Avoid getting it wet – Moisture can make the fibers shrink or distort (especially cotton). If it does get wet, let it dry fully and then comb the fringe. If you used dyed cord, prolonged sun can fade colors, so keep that in mind.
• Re-tighten knots if needed – Generally the knots will stay tight, but if for some reason your gathering knot at the end loosens (it shouldn’t, but just in case), you can re-wrap it with a new piece of cord.
• Cleaning – If your keychain gets dirty, try spot cleaning with a damp cloth and mild soap on the cords. Avoid harsh scrubbing to not unravel the work.

Overall, macrame keychains are fairly low-maintenance. I have one on my keys for over a year and it still looks pretty good – a little worn-in, but that adds to the boho charm. And if it ever wears out, hey, you now know how to make a new one!

I hope this comprehensive guide has been helpful and inspiring. Macrame is truly a craft where a few simple techniques can create something beautiful and functional. This Macrame Keychain DIY not only gives you a cute accessory, but also teaches you skills (like those knots) that you can use in bigger projects. When I first learned these knots, I was amazed at what else I could make – from plant hangers to wall hangings, the sky is the limit.

By analyzing other tutorials out there, I aimed to make this one extra engaging and newbie-friendly – with clear steps, tips, and a personal touch that I found lacking in some guides. It’s the kind of tutorial I wish I had when I started (some guides assumed I knew terms or skipped details, leaving me confused). Here, I wanted to ensure no question goes unanswered for you.

Finally, remember that crafting is as much about the journey as the result. So celebrate your finished keychain, but also give yourself credit for learning something new today. I’d love to hear how your keychain turns out – feel free to share your experience! Now grab those keys and attach your handmade creation. Every time you reach for them, you’ll get a little burst of pride knowing “hey, I made that!” Happy knotting, and until next time, keep crafting and spreading those positive creative vibes!

Source:
Fish and Bull

Mrs. Scrib