Create a boho vibe with this DIY macrame chair that would look great inside or out. It may seem like an intimidating project but it’s actually great for the beginner. It’s a basic DIY project and only a couple of types of macramé knots are used. You’ll love the look of the finished chair and is a great alternative to your everyday macramé projects.

This DIY macramé chair tutorial will take you through the steps of creating a frame for a hanging chair, adding a macramé pattern to create a hammock, and then attaching everything together so the chair can be enjoyed.

Practice even more knots with this free macramé wall hanging tutorial!

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Measuring tape
• Saw
• Sand paper
• Drill
• 5/8 inch drill bit
• Scissors

Materials

• 3 1 1/4 inch hardwood dowels
• 2 5/8 inch hardwood dowels
• 4 1 inch wood screws
• 200 yard 1/4 inch thick macramé cord
• 120 inch 1/2 inch rope
• Masking tape

Instructions

1. Measure and Cut the DowelsUsing your measuring tape and hand saw, cut all 3 of the 1 1/4 inch dowels so they are 30 inches in length.Measure and cut both of the 5/8 inch dowels so they are 36 inches long.
2. Measure for the Screw HolesTake one of your 1 1/4 inch dowels and place a piece of masking tape the length of the dowel. This will help you keep your holes nice and even with each other. Make marks 2 inches and 3 1/2 inches from each end of the dowel. Repeat with a second 1 1/4 inch dowel.Grab the third 1 1/4 inch dowel, add a strip of masking tape, and make marks 3 1/2 inches from each end. Set this dowel over to the side, you won’t need it until later.After you’re finished marking, remove the masking tape.
3. Drill the Screw HolesTake your drill and drill holes at the marks you made on the dowels. You may want to start with a small drill bit and then work your way up to a 5/8 inch drill bit to make the final holes. The hole will go all the way through the dowel.
4. Sand the Holes and EndsTake your sandpaper and sand the holes as well as the end of the dowels if needed.
5. Create the FrameTake the two 1 1/4 inch dowel rods that have four holes and set them parallel to each other on a flat surface. Take your two 5/8 inch dowels and thread them through the outside holes to create a four-sided rectangular frame. Leave 1 inch of the smaller dowels sticking out from both the top and bottom.
6. Screw the Frame TogetherDrill a small pilot hole where the dowels meet each other. Using your wood screws, secure the two pieces together. Repeat with the other 3 holes.
7. Temporarily Hang the FrameBefore you start on your macramé, you need to hang the frame so you can work on it. For example, use some rope to hang it from a fence. This is a temporary location and doesn’t need to be where you plan to hang the chair.
8. Cut Your Macramé CordCut 16 pieces of macramé cord that are 26 feet long.
9. Make Lark’s Head KnotsTake one of your pieces of macramé cord and fold it in half. Loop it around the top dowel and tie a Lark’s Head knot by pulling the two cord ends through the loop. Repeat with the other pieces of macramé cord. You’ll now have 32 cords to work with.
10. Make the First Row of Square KnotsTake your first 4 cords and create a left-facing square knot with the 2 outside cords. Repeat tying the square knots for each set of 4 cords. Pull these knots tight, up to the top of the frame.
11. Start Your PatternSkip the first two ropes. Take the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth cords and make a left-facing square knot. Making the knots in an offset pattern will make it more secure and give it a net-like appearance. Repeat the knots all the way across. Keep these knots 3 inches away from the row above.
12. Continue Your PatternTime for the third row! Use the first four cords to create a left-facing square knot. Continue making the square knots until you reach the end. Continue making the macramé knots, alternating between starting with the first cord and starting with the third cord. Remember to keep 3 inches away from the row above.
13. Finish Your PatternKeep making left-facing square knots until your macramé creation is 45 inches long. It should hang below the bottom dowel.
14. Secure with KnotsTake groups of 4 cords and tie them around the bottom dowel using a basic knot. Make a second knot to secure. Tie these knots as tightly as you can.
15. Trim Your Macramé CordMeasure the macramé cord 12 inches from the bottom knots, and cut all the way across.
16. Cut Your RopeTake your 1/2 inch rope and cut a piece that is 120 inches long. Fold in half and knot a large loop in the center. This is the loop that will be used to hang your chair.Also, cut two pieces of rope that are 65 inches each. Set these aside.
17. Attach the Rope to the HangerThread the two ends of the long piece of rope through the two outside holes on the dowel rod that you haven’t used. Leave about 20 inches between the loop and the dowel. Tie basic knots underneath the dowel to secure.
18. Attach the Rope to the Top of ChairWith the same piece of rope, thread it through the remaining holes on top of the chair. Knot in place with a basic knot. You should have about a 30 inch gap between the top of the chair and the dowel that’s used for hanging. Keep this knot loose in case you need to adjust it later.
19. Attach the Rope to the Bottom of the ChairTake one of the shorter pieces of rope and starting from the bottom of the frame, thread your rope up through one of the empty holes and tie a basic knot.
20. Finish the HangerContinue threading the rope up all the way through the hanger dowel. Wrap the rope around this dowel and tie a knot, leaving 60 inches between the hanger dowel and the bottom dowel.
21. Hang Your ChairUsing a hanging chair mounting kit or a strong hook, you can attach your macramé chair to the ceiling if you’d like to hang it inside or on a porch. Outside, you can hang it by a tree branch. Secure all knots once you have the chair in the position you want.