MacramĂȘ Trends: DIY Phone Holder and Bottle Holder
MacramĂȘ has made one of the most satisfying comebacks in the crafting world. What once decorated the walls of 1970s living rooms has transformed into a modern, versatile art form that fits seamlessly into minimalist apartments, bohemian studios, and everything in between. And while wall hangings and plant hangers remain beloved staples of the craft, two projects are quietly stealing the spotlight right now: the macramĂȘ phone holder and the macramĂȘ bottle holder. Both are practical, beautiful, and surprisingly beginner-friendly.
Whether you’re completely new to macramĂȘ or you’ve been knotting for years and want to try something functional beyond the usual decorative pieces, this guide is for you. We’ll cover the trends driving these projects, the materials you need, the foundational knots involved, and step-by-step guidance to help you bring both projects to life.
Why MacramĂȘ Is Thriving Right Now
The resurgence of macramĂȘ isn’t random. It fits perfectly into the broader cultural moment we’re living in. People are seeking handmade, tactile experiences as a counterbalance to increasingly digital lives. Crafting something with your own hands â watching a pile of loose cord transform into a finished, functional object â delivers a kind of satisfaction that no app can replicate.
Social media has also played a massive role. Platforms like Pinterest and Instagram are packed with macramĂȘ inspiration, and the aesthetic translates beautifully to photos. The natural tones of cotton rope, the organic texture of knotted fibers, and the warm shadows that macramĂȘ casts all photograph incredibly well, which has helped push the craft into the mainstream visual culture.
Sustainability is another driving force. MacramĂȘ requires minimal tools, produces almost no waste if you plan your cuts carefully, and uses natural fibers that are biodegradable. In an era when people are more conscious about what they bring into their homes and how things are made, the appeal of a craft that is low-impact and long-lasting is obvious.
Finally, the functional turn in macramĂȘ is particularly exciting. Crafters are no longer content to make things purely for decoration. The demand is for objects that look beautiful and do something useful. That’s exactly where the phone holder and bottle holder come in.
The Rise of the MacramĂȘ Phone Holder
Think about how much time your phone spends sitting on a desk, dangling off a charger, or getting lost under a pile of books. A macramĂȘ phone holder turns that everyday necessity into a small piece of art. These holders typically hang from a hook or a command strip on the wall, creating a dedicated, beautiful spot for your phone to rest, charge, or simply live when you’re not using it.
The trend has taken off for a few reasons. First, they’re compact. Unlike a wall hanging, which requires significant wall space, a phone holder can hang in a corner of a kitchen, beside a bed, on the back of a bathroom door, or next to a workspace. Second, they’re personal. Because each piece is handmade, no two are exactly alike. The subtle variations in tension, the choice of fringe length, and the texture of the cord all contribute to a piece that genuinely feels unique. Third, they make excellent gifts. A handmade phone holder is practical enough to be used every day and beautiful enough to feel genuinely special.
From a trend perspective, crafters are experimenting with mixing cord thicknesses, incorporating wooden beads and driftwood, and even dyeing cord in soft, earthy tones like terracotta, sage, and dusty rose. The classic natural cotton look isn’t going anywhere, but the expanded color palette and the integration of other materials are pushing the craft forward.
The MacramĂȘ Bottle Holder: Function Meets Boho Chic
The macramĂȘ bottle holder â sometimes called a macramĂȘ bottle sling or bottle carrier â is another project that has exploded in popularity. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a knotted net or sling that cradles a bottle, typically a water bottle or a wine bottle, allowing you to carry it, display it, or hang it decoratively.
The reasons for its popularity are similar to the phone holder. It’s functional, beautiful, and very giftable. But the bottle holder also taps into the wellness and sustainability trends in a slightly different way. Reusable water bottles are everywhere, and a handmade macramĂȘ carrier elevates an ordinary object into something you actually want to carry. Instead of a plain stainless steel bottle rattling around in your bag, you have a bottle cradled in a beautifully knotted net with long fringe trailing below.
For wine bottles, the effect is even more dramatic. A macramĂȘ wine bottle holder turns a gift of wine into a presentation piece. You’re not just handing someone a bottle â you’re handing them a bottle wrapped in textile art.
Crafters are also experimenting with scale and shape, making holders sized for glass jars, thermos-style bottles, or even decorative vessels that sit on shelves without being carried at all. The versatility of the basic pattern is part of what makes it such an enduring trend.
Materials You’ll Need for Both Projects
Before we get into the actual making, let’s talk materials. One of the most beautiful things about macramĂȘ is how simple the supply list is.
For cord, natural single-strand or three-strand twisted cotton macramĂȘ cord is the most popular choice. For a phone holder, you’ll want a cord between 3mm and 5mm thick. For a bottle holder, 3mm cord works beautifully, giving you a fine-grained net effect. You can find natural cotton cord at craft stores, online, or increasingly at large general retailers. Jute is a more rustic alternative that gives a rougher texture, while nylon or polyester cords are better suited for outdoor use.
Beyond cord, you’ll want a pair of sharp scissors, a measuring tape, and for the phone holder, a wooden dowel or a small piece of driftwood to hang the project from. For mounting, small command hooks work well and are wall-friendly. A macramĂȘ board or a foam mat with pins can help you keep tension while you work, though this is optional for smaller projects.
For the bottle holder, a ring â metal, wooden, or plastic â between 2.5cm and 4cm in diameter is essential. This forms the top of the sling. You’ll also want a small carabiner or hook if you plan to clip the holder to a bag.
Beads are optional but beautiful. Large-hole wooden beads thread easily onto macramĂȘ cord and add texture and visual interest. If you plan to add beads, make sure the hole is wide enough to fit your cord through comfortably.
Foundational Knots to Know
You don’t need to master dozens of knots to make either of these projects. A small handful of foundational techniques will take you very far.
The square knot is the workhorse of macramĂȘ. You make it by crossing the left cord over two center cords and under the right, then pulling the right cord under the center cords and through the loop on the left. You then repeat this in the opposite direction to complete a full square knot. A series of square knots creates a flat, braided band, and alternating square knots â where adjacent groups of cords share working cords with their neighbors â creates the open net pattern that forms the body of a bottle holder.
The lark’s head knot is how you attach cord to a ring, dowel, or any other anchor point. Fold a length of cord in half, lay the loop over the anchor, and pull both tails up through the loop and pull tight. It’s simple, fast, and creates a tidy starting point for almost any project.
The half hitch knot is made by wrapping one cord around another (or around a base cord) and pulling it through the loop you’ve created. Two half hitches together form a double half hitch, and a series of diagonal double half hitches creates the angled lines you often see in macramĂȘ wall hangings. For phone holders, this knot can be used to create structure and definition.
The overhand knot is simply a single loop knot â the kind you’d start with when tying your shoes. It’s used to gather cords together, to create textured accents, or to finish off the bottom of a project.
Once you’re comfortable with these four knots, you have everything you need to complete both the phone holder and the bottle holder, and honestly to tackle a very wide range of other macramĂȘ projects as well.
How to Make a MacramĂȘ Phone Holder
Let’s start with the phone holder. This design is simple, wall-mounted, and sized to fit a standard smartphone.
Cut eight lengths of 3mm cord, each approximately 1.5 meters long. These will be your working cords. Also cut one shorter length of about 30cm â this will be your hanging loop.
Take your wooden dowel or small piece of driftwood. Use the 30cm cord to tie a loop at the center of the dowel, so you can hang the finished piece from a hook. Tie it securely with overhand knots.
Now attach your eight working cords to the dowel using lark’s head knots, spacing them evenly. You now have sixteen strands hanging down.
Divide the sixteen cords into four groups of four. Within each group, identify the two outer cords as working cords and the two inner cords as anchor cords. Tie a square knot with each group. You now have four square knots in a row.
Leave a gap of about 2cm, then create a second row of square knots using alternating groups. For this row, take the two right cords from the first group and the two left cords of the second group and tie a square knot. Repeat across. This creates the characteristic net pattern that gives the holder its structure.
Repeat this pattern of two rows â one aligned, one alternating â until you’ve created a pocket deep enough to hold your phone snugly. For a standard smartphone, three to four sets of these two rows is usually sufficient. You can test the depth as you go by tucking your phone into the developing pocket.
After your final row of alternating knots, gather all the cords together and tie a large overhand knot or several small groups of overhand knots to create the base of the pocket. Trim the remaining cord to create a fringe. For a cleaner look, cut all the cords to the same length. For a more bohemian feel, cut them to varying lengths, or leave them long and full.
Hang the finished piece on a command hook or wall hook, tuck your phone in, and admire your work.
How to Make a MacramĂȘ Bottle Holder
The bottle holder uses the same alternating square knot pattern but works in the round rather than flat, creating a three-dimensional net that cradles a bottle.
Start by cutting eight lengths of 3mm cord, each approximately 1.2 meters long. The exact length will depend on how long you want the finished sling to be. If you want dramatic fringe at the bottom, cut longer.
Fold all eight cords in half and attach them to your ring using lark’s head knots. You’ll have sixteen strands hanging down from the ring.
Divide the strands into groups of two and tie overhand knots in each pair, roughly 3cm to 4cm down from the ring. This first set of knots forms the top of the net.
Now come the alternating square knots. Take two adjacent cords from neighboring pairs and tie square knots. Work your way around the circle, pairing cords from neighboring groups to create the first row of the net. Leave another gap of 3cm to 4cm and create a second row in the same alternating way.
Repeat this until the net is tall enough to cradle your bottle. The exact number of rows will depend on the size of the bottle. For a standard water bottle, three to four rows of alternating knots after the initial overhand knots usually does the job.
Once you’ve reached the bottom of the bottle, gather all the cords together with a tight overhand knot or wrap them together with a short length of cord to cinch the base closed. Trim the cords below the gathering knot to create your fringe.
Test the holder by placing your bottle inside. It should sit snugly with the net holding it evenly on all sides. If the net is too wide or too loose, you can adjust the gap between rows in future versions.
Add a carabiner or hook to the ring at the top, and your bottle sling is ready to carry. Or leave it plain and display a wine bottle or a decorative jar in it on a shelf.
Tips for Perfecting Your MacramĂȘ Projects
Consistency in tension is the single biggest factor in how polished your finished piece looks. Try to pull each knot with the same amount of force each time. It helps to work on a flat surface or to pin your work in progress to a board so you can see when your knots are drifting out of alignment.
Don’t be afraid to undo and redo. MacramĂȘ knots are forgiving. If a row looks uneven or a knot feels wrong, untie it and start again. The cord rarely shows significant damage from being unknotted and re-knotted, especially natural cotton.
Practice swatching before you commit to your final piece. Make a small test section with leftover cord to get comfortable with the tension and spacing you want before you start your actual project.
When measuring cord lengths, it’s always better to cut too long than too short. You can always trim excess fringe, but you can’t add cord once you’ve started knotting. A general rule is to cut cords three to four times longer than the finished project length, but this varies depending on knot density and pattern complexity.
Finally, finishing your fringe neatly can make an enormous difference to the overall look of a piece. Use sharp scissors and take your time. For a really clean edge, cut against a ruler or a piece of cardboard. For a more handmade look, trim at an angle or in a gentle V shape.
Caring for Your MacramĂȘ Pieces
Both the phone holder and the bottle holder, once made from natural cotton, can be hand washed gently if they get dirty. Use cool water and a mild soap, reshape the piece while it’s still damp, and allow it to dry flat or hang it to dry. Avoid wringing or twisting the cord, which can distort the knots.
For a decorative piece that won’t see heavy use, occasional dusting or a gentle shake is usually enough to keep it looking fresh. If the fringe becomes tangled or compressed over time, combing it out gently with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb will restore its fluffy, airy appearance.
Making MacramĂȘ Part of Your Creative Practice
What’s wonderful about starting with projects like the phone holder and the bottle holder is that they teach you the essential vocabulary of macramĂȘ without overwhelming you. Each project takes a few hours at most, the materials are inexpensive and easy to find, and the result is something you’ll actually use and see every day.
From these two foundational projects, the path branches in many directions. You might move on to plant hangers, which use very similar knotting techniques on a larger scale. You might try a wall hanging that lets you explore more complex knot patterns and textures. You might experiment with dying your own cord, or incorporating feathers, shells, and driftwood into your designs.
The macramĂȘ community online is generous and creative. There are countless tutorials, forums, and groups where crafters share work, ask questions, and inspire each other. Starting your own practice means joining that community, and the welcome there is warm.
There’s also something quietly meditative about working with cord and knots. The repetitive motion of tying knot after knot has a rhythm to it that many crafters describe as genuinely calming. In a world that asks a lot of our attention and constantly pulls it in new directions, sitting down with a length of cord and making something one knot at a time can feel like a genuine act of self-care.
So gather your cord, find a hook, and start knotting. Your next favorite handmade object is closer than you think.
