Macrame Coasters with Square Knots and Fringe

5 min read

Macrame coasters add texture to a coffee table and teach the two knots every macrame project uses. Square knots and half hitch knots build a flat woven coaster that lies neatly under a mug. Cotton cord is soft, absorbent, and easy to untie if you make a mistake. A set of four coasters takes about an hour once you learn the rhythm of the knots.

Macrame looks complex, but it is only knotting cord in repeating patterns.

You need

• no loom
• no glue
• no sewing

A clipboard or a cork board holds the work still while your hands tie. The fringe at the edge of each coaster gives it a relaxed bohemian look that suits any room.

Cord, Board, and Setup

Use 3 mm single twist cotton cord in a natural or dyed color. Cut eight cords 80 cm long for one coaster. Fold each cord in half and attach it to a wooden ring or a dowel with a lark head knot. If you prefer a coaster with no ring, pin the folded cords to a cork board in a row instead. Clip the board to the table so it does not slide while you knot.

Sort the cords so they hang straight with no tangles. The two outer cords on each side are your working cords, and the inner cords are the filler cords that the knots wrap around. Keep the tension even: knots tied too tight pucker the coaster, while loose knots leave gaps. Practice one row of square knots on scrap cord before you start the real coaster.

Tying Square Knots

A square knot uses four cords: two working cords on the outside and two filler cords in the middle. Take the left working cord over the fillers and under the right working cord. Then take the right working cord under the fillers and up through the loop on the left. Pull both working cords to tighten. That is half of a square knot.

Repeat the same moves in mirror image to finish the square knot: right cord over, left cord under, then pull tight. Alternate rows of square knots across the coaster, offsetting each row so the knots sit in the gaps of the row above. After six rows, the coaster should measure about 10 cm across. Keep counting cords at the end of each row to catch a skipped knot early.

Adding a Fringe Edge

When the knotted section reaches 10 cm, tie a row of half hitch knots to lock the pattern. For a half hitch, take one working cord over the filler cords and loop it through, pulling it snug. Repeat across the row. The half hitch row forms a firm edge that stops the square knots from loosening.

Trim the cord ends below the half hitch row to about 4 cm. Comb the fringe with a fine comb to separate the fibers, then trim the fringe evenly with sharp scissors. A neat fringe looks like a soft tassel edge. If the fringe looks uneven, comb it again and trim once more; small corrections make a big difference.

Finishing and Caring for Coasters

Remove the coaster from the board or slip it off the ring. If you used a ring, the coaster hangs neatly or stacks flat. For coasters without a ring, the top edge is a row of lark head loops that looks tidy on its own. Steam the coaster lightly with an iron to relax the knots and flatten the shape.

Shake crumbs off the coasters and spot clean with a damp cloth. Cotton cord absorbs spills, so blot a wet coaster quickly and dry it flat. With gentle care, macrame coasters stay firm and attractive through years of coffee and tea.

Coaster Sizes and Color Ideas

A standard coaster measures 10 to 11 cm across, which fits a mug, a glass, or a small teapot. A larger coaster of 14 cm suits a soup bowl or a sharing plate. Make a mixed set with two standard coasters and two large ones so the set handles every drink and dish. Keep the cord count the same for every coaster in a set so the knot pattern matches.

Color changes the mood of macrame coasters fast. Natural cotton cord looks calm and suits any room. A deep terracotta or sage green cord adds warmth to a neutral table. For a playful set, make each coaster a different pastel shade. Dip dyeing the fringe gives an ombre effect: dip the finished fringe in diluted fabric dye for a few minutes and let it dry.

For a gift set, tie four coasters together with a length of matching cord and a small tag. A set in the recipient favorite color shows more thought than a store bought pack. Add a matching placemat made with the same knots in a larger size to complete the set.

To keep macrame coasters flat

To keep macrame coasters flat, steam them with an iron through a pressing cloth after you finish the fringe. Steam relaxes the knots and flattens the coaster in one pass. Let the coaster cool flat before you stack it with the others.

A set of coasters in one color looks calm and coordinated on any table.

A coaster that rocks on the table needs one more row of knots.

One good project leads to another. See where Macrame Plant Stand with Brass Rings takes you next.

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• Macrame Plant Stand with Brass Rings
• Macrame Wall Shelf with Two Tiers
• Macrame Plant Hanger with Wooden Bead Accents