DIY Macrame Tote Bag (Tutorial)

Materials

• 5mm Cotton Cord (134m)

• Fabric Scissors

• Masking Tape

1. Prepare the materials

Gather your spool, masking tape and scissors. Cut 8 x 4.3m lengths of cord. Fold them in half and place them on a pole. Secure in place with some masking tape. 

2. Make the handle

Start with making two square knots, then create a third knot using the middle cords so it sits just below the two. Repeat this pattern until you have 22 rows in total.

3. Repeat step 2

Turn it around and repeat step 2 until you have 45 rows in total. Make sure both sides end on a row of 1 square knot as opposed to two.

4. Make the body

Cut 16 x 2.8m lengths of cord and attach one at each end of the handle to create a row of 3 square knots.

Form the next row below by creating square knots using the alternate cords. Repeat until you’ve used all 16 cords. 

5. Repeat step 4

Turn it around and repeat step 4.

6. Attach additional cords

Cut 4 x 2.3m lengths of cord and attach them onto each end, so you’ll have 2 extra lengths on each section of the bag body.

7. Connect the bag together

Connect the two sections of the bag body together with a square knot. Turn it around and repeat this on the other side.

8. Finish off the body

Continue the pattern all the way around until you’ve made 25 rows of square knots. Count the rows from the connecting square knot.

This is quite a time consuming section so make sure you’ve got a cup of tea or a coffee to help get you through it. 

9. Turn the bag inside out

10. Create the base

Flatten the bag and then rotate it on its side so you’ve got one layer of square knots lined up properly. This will allow you to find the filler cords at the bottom of the bag. Keep those two cords separate.

Make a square knot using the outer cords. Make sure these square knots are tightly knotted together.

After each knot, miss out one outer cord on each side. Move them out of the way and then continue to make square knots. Stop until you reach the middle of the bag.

Gather the filler cords and tie a knot so you don’t lose them. 

11. Repeat step 10

Turn the bag around so you can continue on the other side where you will meet again in the middle.

12. Finish the base

Untie the knots from the filler cords and then create a loop using them both.

Use your finger to hold that loop in position. Then make a square knot with the remaining outer cords. Turn the bag around and make another square knot.

Using the end sections of the looped cords, pull these together as tight as you can.

13. Trim the cords

Trim the cords leaving a few cms in length. Then turn the bag outside in, so the trimmed cords remain on the inside of the bag. Use your hands to structure the bag as needed.

And you're all done!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.

Any questions or if you’ve got any other tutorials you’d like me to do next, let me know in the comments.