Learning new creative hobbies online is convenient, but if you’re like me, nothing beats grabbing a book right off the shelf when needing some guidance.
Whether it’s to reference a complex knot or look for new patterns to try out, there are tons of great macrame books to serve as a constant source of inspiration.
These offer all kinds of helpful tips and ideas, from detailed illustrated knot tutorials for beginners to style guides and patterns for more experienced macrame enthusiasts.
No matter what you’re looking for, I’ve found the best macrame books currently on the market for complete beginners and macrame artists looking for new ideas. Let’s hop into it!
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Best macrame books
You can find a lot of information online, but there’s nothing like having a craft book to guide you through your favorite projects.
That’s why I’ve listed some of the best macrame books in this guide!
Looking for additional resources to get started?
We’ve compiled a bunch of macrame guides and tutorials for beginners, including tips on essential macrame supplies, where to buy the best macrame cord, and lots more.
Macramé: The Craft of Creative Knotting for Your Home
My first pick for the best macrame books has a bit of everything: knot guides for beginners, patterns, and advice on how to hang and care for your creations.
In total, it features detailed photograph tutorials for 30 of the most common knots. It also includes 22 project tutorials for wall hangings, plant hangers, dreamcatchers, and more!
While it isn’t quite as good a reference as a pure macrame pattern book, there’s a lot of value packed into the pages of this book. I can say without hesitation that for most crafters, this is the macrame book to buy.
Get it at the link below, and if you like it, check out author Fanny Zedenius’ second book, which is appropriately called Macramé 2.
Macramé Pattern Book
I love it when something does exactly what it says on the tin. The aptly titled Macramé Pattern Book is filled with just that: tons of macrame patterns!
Originally written by the Japan Macramé Association and translated into English in 2013, it’s the perfect resource for anyone looking to learn this art form.
It has illustrated tutorials for 70 knots, plus instructions on combining them into repeatable patterns and full projects. This is undoubtedly the best of all the pure macrame pattern books out there.
The paperback version is good, but if you’re willing to spend the extra money, I’d recommend getting the spiral-bound version. This will allow the book to lay flat, making it easier to refer to while you’re knotting away!
Macramé for Beginners and Beyond
Next up is another macrame book for beginners, this time by the Australian fiber duo Amy Mullins and Marnia Ryan-Raison.
Despite the title, beginners with absolutely no experience may struggle with some of the projects outlined in the book.
However, if referred to alongside an online macrame class or a couple of free YouTube tutorials, you’ll have everything you need to learn macrame from scratch.
However, note that some of the materials listed may be somewhat difficult to source. I’d recommend buying something similar and not stressing out about minor deviations. Your project will turn out just as wonderful, I promise!
Macraweave: Macrame meets weaving
For those of you looking for more advanced projects, the authors mentioned in the previous entry have actually released two macrame books; the second is filled with more complex patterns and ideas.
As the name implies, this macrame book combines macrame and weaving techniques to create gorgeous, unique wall hangings you won’t spot anywhere else.
That said, this is not the best book for beginners. It’s somewhere between advanced tutorials and creative inspiration, so don’t expect to learn the basics of the craft here.
A great way to master the fundamentals before jumping into more elaborate patterns and projects is with a macrame kit: here are 20+ macrame kits we recommend for beginners!
Modern Macramé: 33 Stylish Projects for Your Handmade Home
If you’ve been following the world of macrame on Instagram or on other social media platforms, the author of this macrame book should need no introduction.
Written by Emily Katz, founder of Modern Macramé, it’s one of the best macrame books for truly innovative ideas. Plus, the featured designs don’t require complex knots that you’ll never apply again!
That said, some projects use materials that can be expensive or difficult to source. Swap them out for similar options, and you can achieve the same results for less.
Macramé Décor: 25 Boho-Chic Patterns and Project Ideas
Next up is another book from the same author as the Macramé Pattern Book listed above, Marchen Art Studio. Once again, the book is filled with macrame patterns, this time with a boho-chic aesthetic.
This book is also suitable for beginners, as it has clear instructions for each project. These include tapestries, dreamcatchers, screens, and more.
If you’re looking to decorate your home and learn a new craft in the process, this is a great option to check out.
The Year of Knots: Modern Projects, Inspiration, and Creative Reinvention
Macrame pattern books are all well and good, but what if you’re looking for a different type of inspiration?
That’s where The Year of Knots comes in.
Written by fiber artist Windy Chien, it outlines her experience creating and posting a knot on her Instagram account every day for a year. (If you haven’t seen her Instagram account, check it out because it’s in-cre-di-ble!)
Do know, however, that the book doesn’t include instructions for every knot. It has some tutorials, but it’s more about the transformative change anyone can achieve by putting in the work every day for a year.
Statement Macramé: Create Stunning Large-Scale Wall Art
For those of you who just can’t get enough of large-scale macrame projects, Statement Macramé will be right up your alley.
Author Natalie Ranae has released two macrame books (this one and Macramé at Home), but I would say this is the one to get. It’s filled with inspirational projects — and clear instructions on how to make them.
I wouldn’t recommend this book for beginners, though. But intermediate and advanced users will find a lot to learn here. Check it out at the link below!
Mixed Fiber Macramé: Create Handmade Home Décor with Unique, Modern Techniques
Author Chantel Conlon might not sound familiar to most, but that’s because she’s more popularly known as Lots of Knots Canada on YouTube and Etsy. It’s among the most acclaimed (and prolific) names in the entire macrame world.
But this book is more than a cash-in on her social following. In fact, it’s one of the most unique macrame books you can find.
It includes step-by-step instructions for projects like plant hangers, wall hangings, and pillow covers with a distinctive flair that combines macrame with weaving and multiple knot techniques.
Especially suitable for beginners, the book includes many detailed images exemplifying how to achieve basic knots. The projects themselves are organized by difficulty, starting with several items that anyone can make with ease!
Micro-Macramé Jewelry: Tips and Techniques for Knotting with Beads
My last pick is by far the oldest book on macrame in the entire list. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s outdated.
Micro-Macramé Jewelry is one of the most well-known books on macrame jewelry — and for good reason. The illustrated diagrams are super easy to follow, with 10 great projects included in the book.
If you crave even more projects, author Joan R. Babcock has a follow-up macrame jewelry book, Micro-Macrame Jewelry II, which includes 12 more macrame jewelry patterns you can enjoy.
That said, neither is among the most modern macrame books you can buy— some of the designs may need to be adapted for a younger crowd. Also, I feel that absolute beginners with no experience may struggle with some of the more advanced patterns at first.
If you want to practice the basics before getting your hands on this book, check out our picks for the best beginner patterns and tutorials for macrame necklaces, bracelets, and earrings!
That’s it for this list of the best macrame books you can buy. Do you have any other recommendations? Drop them in the comments below!
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