A697 Flecked Macrame Table Runner

How to Make a Flecked Macramé Table Runner

Add texture and a handmade finish to your table with this decorative macramé runner. The design combines alternating square knots, half hitches, crossed sections and twisting knot panels, finished with soft tassels at both ends.

What You Will Need

Materials

• Silver Makr Metallic Fleck Macramé Cord
• Gold Makr Metallic Fleck Macramé Cord
• Makr Woven Macramé Cord
• Super glue

Equipment

• Ruler or measuring tape
• Dowel
• Sharp scissors
• Comb
• Elastic bands for bundling long cords

Helpful Tips Before You Begin

• Hang the dowel on a wall or sturdy hook. This is generally easier than working with the runner laid flat on a table.
• Bundle each long cord and secure it with an elastic band. Release only a small amount at a time to help prevent tangling.
• Keep the tension consistent throughout the project so the finished runner remains straight and even.
• Measure the spacing between each pattern section as you work rather than relying only on visual judgement.

Knots Used

This project uses several common macramé techniques:

• Half hitch knots
• Alternating square knots
• Diagonal half hitches
• Twisting or spiral knots
• Overhand finishing knots

Prepare the Cord

1. Cut 16 lengths of silver cord, each measuring 4 metres.
2. Cut 16 lengths of gold cord, each measuring 4 metres.
3. Cut 14 lengths of woven macramé cord, each measuring 40 cm, and set these aside.

Attach the Cords to the Dowel

4. Attach all 32 long cords along the dowel, alternating gold and silver.
5. Leave approximately 15 cm of cord extending beyond the attachment point on the reverse side. This will later form the tassels at one end of the runner.
6. Check that the cords are evenly spaced before beginning the decorative sections.

Create the Pattern

Section A: Horizontal Half Hitch Row

1. Take one of the 40 cm woven cord lengths and position it horizontally, parallel to the dowel.
2. Work 32 half hitch knots across this cord using the hanging strands.
3. Leave the ends of the horizontal cord hanging beyond each side. These ends will be trimmed and secured during finishing.

Section B: Alternating Square Knots

1. Work four rows of alternating square knots.
2. Make eight square knots across the first row.
3. Offset the next row and make seven square knots.
4. Repeat these two rows once more to complete four rows in total.

Repeat Section A

Add another horizontal half hitch row using a 40 cm woven cord length.

Section D: Crossed Diamond Motifs

Work with eight hanging cords at a time.

1. Hold the first cord diagonally towards the right.
2. Work half hitches over it using cords 2, 3 and 4.
3. Hold cord 8 diagonally towards the left.
4. Work half hitches over it using cords 7, 6 and 5.
5. Continue working half hitches over cord 8 using cords 4, 3 and 2, leaving cord 1 at the top.
6. Finish the crossed motif by working the remaining cords 5, 6 and 7 over cord 1.
7. Repeat across the full width of the runner.

Repeat Section A Again

Add another horizontal half hitch row using one of the reserved 40 cm woven cords.

Section F: Twisting Knot Panels

1. Work with four cords at a time.
2. Using the first group of four cords, work six knots so the section twists towards the right.
3. Using the next group of four cords, work six knots in the opposite direction.
4. Continue alternating the direction of the twisted sections across the width.
5. Repeat this twisting-knot sequence three times.

Repeat the Main Pattern

Repeat pattern Sections A through F three more times to build the full length of the runner.

To make both ends of the runner match, finish by repeating Sections A through C.

Secure the Horizontal Cords

1. Tie tight knots at both ends of every 40 cm horizontal cord, positioning each knot as close to the macramé work as possible.
2. Trim away the excess cord.
3. Apply a small amount of super glue to each finishing knot to prevent it from coming undone.

Create the Tassels

1. Leave approximately 15 cm of loose cord at the lower edge of the runner and trim away the excess.
2. Remove the runner carefully from the dowel.
3. Untwist the 15 cm cord ends at both ends of the runner.
4. Separate the strands into groups of four cords.
5. Comb each group thoroughly until the fibres are separated and soft.
6. Tie a knot in each combed group near the base of the fringe.
7. Trim all tassels to an even length.

Alternative Cords for This Project

The original design combines metallic flecked cord with woven macramé cord. You can substitute other cords, provided they are similar in thickness and strong enough to hold the structure of the runner.

• 3 mm twisted cotton macramé cord – creates a soft, traditional finish and brushes out well for tassels.
• 3 mm braided cotton cord – gives a firmer, cleaner and more modern appearance.
• Recycled cotton macramé cord – a sustainable option available in many neutral and fashion colours.
• Metallic-thread cotton cord – recreates the festive flecked effect of the original project.
• Natural cotton cord in two contrasting colours – offers a more understated alternative to gold and silver.
• Jute or cotton-jute blend cord – creates a rustic table runner, although the finished fringe will be coarser.

Choosing the Best Substitute

For the closest result to the original runner, choose a smooth 3 mm cotton macramé cord in two coordinating colours and use a slightly firmer woven cord for the horizontal half hitch rows.

Twisted cord is best when you want soft, brushed tassels. Braided cord is more durable and produces crisp knots, but it may not comb out as easily.

Styling Ideas

• Use cream and gold for a festive table setting.
• Choose natural and terracotta tones for a rustic look.
• Use black and natural cord for a modern monochrome finish.
• Coordinate the runner with matching macramé napkin rings.
• Add subtle metallic thread to plain cotton cord for extra sparkle.

Care

Spot clean where possible. For a deeper clean, gently hand wash in cool water using mild detergent. Avoid twisting or wringing the runner.

Reshape while damp, lay flat to dry and comb the tassels once completely dry.