DIY Macrame Candy Cane Ornament Tutorial

Looking for a festive and creative DIY project this Christmas?

Making a macramé candy cane ornament is incredibly simple. The perfect beginner-friendly DIY that adds a cozy, handmade touch to your holiday décor.

This quick craft is the best way to make DIY Christmas gifts or unique additions to your own tree. This ornament offers several great benefits:

• A quick craft you can finish in an afternoon.

• It uses the easy Chinese Crown Knot—perfect for beginners.

• The finished product makes a beautiful, handmade gift.

In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you exactly how to create this popular macramé Christmas decoration. If you prefer to skip the knots, you can shop the finished ornament here!

Watch the Full Video Tutorial

What You’ll Need

Start this quick macramé project by gathering a few simple materials. Choosing a good quality cord is key for that beautiful, professional finish.

• 2 x 120 cm cotton cords (Use 3mm macramé cord in two contrasting colors for the classic striped look.)

• 2 x 15 cm cotton cord about 3mm

• 1 x 2 mm flexible wire, cut to 14 cm (This wire for shaping your macramé candy cane)

• Sharp Scissors

• Tape Measure

Step-by-Step Instructions

This tutorial shows you how to make a Chinese Crown Knot. This knot creates the spiral stripe pattern for a candy cane.

Set Up the Cords

• Fold both of your 120 cm cords in half to find the center. Cross them at the midpoint, with your primary color sitting on bottom. This setup will give you four working strands.

Start the Crown Knot

• Bring the North cord over the white cord and to the left of the South cord.

• Then, bring the South cord to the top. This should form 2 loops.

• Bring the West cord over the 1st loop and under the 2nd loop. It should end up on the left side of the East cord.

• Then, bring the East cord over the the 1st loop and under the 2nd loop. Pull the ends tight.

Spiral and Insert Wire

• Continue repeating the Crown Knot process. The knots will naturally begin to spiral.

• Inserted the 14 cm wire through the center. The wire is essential for holding the final curve.

• Knot until the piece is your desired length (around 15 cm is ideal for an ornament).

Finish and Shape

• Cut the extra working cords, leaving a small amount of fringe.

• Use your 15 cm cord to tie a Gathering Knot (or Wrapping Knot) tightly around the base to secure all the ends.

• Trim the remaining ends and gently comb the fringe.

• Bend the entire piece into the classic candy cane curve.

• Use a separate, thin cord to tie a simple loop at the top for hanging.

Your Macramé Candy Cane Ornament is now ready!

Troubleshooting Your Macramé Candy Cane

Even the most beginner-friendly macramé projects can have small challenges. Here are answers to common questions crafters have when making this DIY Christmas ornament:

• Q: Why isn't my spiral forming correctly?

• A: The Crown Knot naturally forms a spiral. It only works if you always start with the same cord, like the North cord. If your spiral stops or looks uneven, check to see if you rotated your piece. Also, make sure you started the knot with the same cord.

• Q: The wire is hard to push through the cordwork.

• A: This usually means you tied your Crown Knots too tightly. To fix this, you may need to gently loosen the first few knots before inserting the wire. In the future, remember to keep your tension consistent but not too tight.

• Q: How do I make my stripes wider or thinner?

• A: To create different candy cane stripe effects, you can change the number of Crown Knots you do per color. For this two-color pattern, the easiest way to get that great spiral is by tying one knot per cord. For true stripes, you would switch to a wrapping technique rather than the Crown Knot.

Tips & Variations for Your Handmade Christmas Décor

Once you master the basic macramé candy cane pattern, you can start experimenting!

• Classic Look: Use red and white cord for the traditional, high-demand Christmas design. This combination always sells well at holiday craft fairs.

• Boho Twist: Try green and white for a fresh look. You could also use your unique mustard and pale green combination for a modern bohemian Christmas ornament. These unexpected colors are perfect for standing out.

• Add Scent: For an extra touch, use a natural element like a cinnamon stick or a wood bead. You can also put a drop of peppermint essential oil on the cord fringe. This gives your ornament a great holiday scent.

• Gift Idea: Make a full set of these quick macramé ornaments to sell as a bundled handmade gift for teachers, co-workers, or friends.

Expanding Your Macramé Christmas Collection

Did you enjoy making this piece? You can create many other great macramé Christmas ornaments using similar basic knots. Expanding your collection gives customers more reasons to shop at your booth!

• Snowflakes & Stars: Use the Square Knot and Double Half Hitch Knot to create flat, detailed shapes like macramé snowflakes and stars. These look fantastic when dipped in fabric stiffener.

• Macramé Wreaths: Small wreaths use a base ring and multiple Lark's Head Knots to attach the cord, making a quick, full decoration.

• Mini Macramé Christmas Trees: Mini Macramé Christmas Trees are popular. You can make them using rows of alternating Square Knots and fringe. They offer a beautiful alternative to traditional ornaments.

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