Knot quickly and easily: With our clear step-by-step instructions, you are guaranteed to succeed in making your own macrame keychain.
Whether as a decorative accessory for your keys or a DIY gift for a loved one: A macramé keychain is easy to knot and visually enhances any set of keys. To ensure your project is successful, we’ve put together an easy macramé keychain tutorial that we’re eager to share with you. Besides thread and accessories, you don’t need any special prior knowledge. We’ll explain the necessary knots and guide you through every detail of the creation process. So grab your macramé cord and a key ring, and let your creativity flow!
Get creative with macramé projects
The macramé technique has been trending for several years now, allowing you to create beautiful decorative elements and jewelry with just a few steps. We, too, are completely enchanted by the oriental knotting technique and use every free minute to work on our creative projects. Of course, we want to share these with you and have created clear step-by-step instructions so that everyone can celebrate their first macramé successes. After all, what could be better than knotting your own gifts and decorations, relieving stress, and forgetting everything around you? Whether it's macramé keychains, pennant chains, vases, lanterns, or other creative ideas: Download our detailed PDF instructions and knot enchanting creations.
Materials: What you need for knotting
To knot the macramé keychain, you don't need much, except a little time. This makes the keychain an ideal project for macramé beginners. Before you start, gather the following materials:
Macramé yarn twisted (3 mm): 4 threads of 0.90 m each, 1 thread of 0.30 m
Before you start with the keychain, you should familiarize yourself with the necessary knots. This will make it much easier to follow our step-by-step instructions and work faster. Most macramé knots are easy to learn and can be tied even by beginners. For this project, we are using the basic knots:
Lark's head knot
Double half hitch knot
Gathering knot
In our PDF file, you will find a comprehensive explanation with pictures, so with a little practice, you will quickly master the knots.
Step-by-step to your macramé keychain
Now we will explain in detail how to knot your keychain. With pictures and accompanying texts, you will be guided through every step of the creation process. If you prefer, you can also conveniently download the instructions as a PDF. Are you more of a visual learner? Then you'll love our macramé keychain video tutorial!
For starters, you will need the four threads (0.90 m) and the carabiner. First, attach all threads to your carabiner with a forward-facing lark's head knot. For better clarity, I demonstrated the procedure on a key ring.
Now attach the carabiner to your clipboard. Fold one of the four threads (0.90 m) in half and place it with the resulting loop facing upwards under the carabiner. Tie a backward-facing lark's head knot. To do this, fold the resulting loop forward over the carabiner and pull the two threads underneath through it.
Now tighten each of the two threads and repeat the process with the remaining three threads. This way, all four threads will be attached to your carabiner. Now turn the work over to see the forward-facing lark's head knots.
Now the first double half hitch knot is tied on the left side. Separate the first two threads on the left side and set them aside. Now begin by placing the third left thread (guide thread) diagonally downwards and placing the underlying and fourth left thread over the guide thread. Afterwards, it will be pulled through the loop created.
A double half hitch knot always consists of two half double half hitch knots, so you will count a total of two wraps at the end of the first left double half hitch knot row.
This procedure is now repeated on the right side. Again, separate the two outermost threads and set them aside.
Now the third right thread (guide thread) is placed horizontally downwards. Tie a double half hitch knot with the fourth and underlying right thread. Cross over the two inner threads (see picture). Now you should have four threads in front of you on both sides.
Now we tie a second double half hitch knot on the right side. The thread that was previously your guide thread on the right side retains its function and is knotted around by the fourth thread, counted from top to bottom, on the right side. This creates a small heart.
For the macramé keychain, you always tie additional rows outwards from left to right. To do this, separate the first left thread and set it aside. The second left thread is now again the guide thread, which is now tied around each underlying thread with a double half hitch knot.
This is what the first left double half hitch knot of the second row looks like.
The second row of double half hitch knots on the left side is now completed with a second and final double half hitch knot.
Repeat the same process on the right side. Separate the right cord and set it aside. The second cord is again the working cord. Now tie a row of rib knots using two of the cords below.
Now you should be able to count four wraps on both sides. Cross the last two cords of your row of rib knots again (see picture).
To close the heart, tie one last rib knot on the right side. You should now see six wraps.
Now follow recurring rows of rib knots. Unlike before, the first cord on each side is always the working cord. On the right side, three rib knots are always tied. To keep the knot rows firm, you can secure your work in several places with T-pins.
The end of the left side is always formed by a fourth rib knot. Pay particular attention not to forget to cross the cords.
For clarification: Here you can see the first cord of each side, which will always be the working cord.
Tie three more rib knots on the right side, so that at the end there are three cords on the right and five on the left. Separating the cords makes the process clearer so you don't get confused.
After the fourth row of rib knots, your macrame keyring should look like the picture.
Now tie seven more rows of rib knots on each side. You should now have eleven rows on each side.
To finish, take the 0.30 m long cord and tie a gathering knot around the bottom fringes. Lay it down as shown in the picture. The loop length should be about six cm.
Place the loop on the keyring so that about two cm lie on the lower knot rows and the loop points downwards. Wrap the bottom fringes until you are happy with the result and the wrapped cord can no longer slip out. Do not wrap too tightly, as the end of the cord must still be visually hidden under the wraps.
Pull the end of the cord through the loop, hold it tight, and pull on the upper end of the cord until the resulting knot is hidden centrally under the wraps.
Your gathering knot should now look like the picture.
Now shorten the bottom fringes to the desired length.
Then, trim the top cord close to the gathering knot, without damaging the other cords. After that, you can tidy up the cord fringes by carefully pushing them under the gathering knot with the tip of your scissors.
Now brush out the bottom fringes of your macrame keyring well from both sides, without damaging the wraps.
Now it's time for the keyring. Tie the waxed cord to the ring with a lark's head knot, thread the beads and secure them at the bottom with a simple knot.
Finally, attach the keyring to your carabiner. Your macrame keyring is now finished!
Do you like our step-by-step instructions, but would prefer a longer or shorter keychain? No problem! You can adjust the length of the project individually by changing the length of the working cords.
Our tips and tricks for beginners
Besides creating beautiful pieces, macrame should above all be fun! However, beginners in particular often despair at the various knots and techniques at the beginning. To help you succeed with your macrame keychain, we have put together some helpful tips for you:
Make yourself comfortable and have some snacks and a drink ready. To avoid having to get up constantly while knotting, lay out all the necessary materials within reach.
Be patient with yourself: No one was born a macrame expert! Allow enough time for your project.
Take short breaks in between, walk a few steps, and stretch. If it feels good, rotate your wrists and shoulders.
All beginnings are difficult. It can happen that you have difficulties with the sequence of knotting. However, before you despair or lose interest in your knotting project, please contact us. We are happy to help you!
All the materials you need for the macrame keyring can be found in our online shop. We wish you a lot of fun and joy while knotting!
