Macrame Claw Clip Holder Free Pattern: A Beautiful and Functional DIY Project
If you’ve been searching for a creative way to store your claw clips while adding a touch of boho charm to your bedroom or bathroom, you’ve landed in exactly the right place. This free macrame claw clip holder pattern is beginner-friendly, completely customizable, and makes a stunning addition to any vanity or wall display. Whether you’re new to macrame or you’ve been knotting for years, this project is one you’ll want to make again and again — and probably gift to everyone you know.
In this post, you’ll find everything you need to get started: a full list of materials, step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and ideas for personalizing your holder to match your space. Let’s dive in.
Why Make a Macrame Claw Clip Holder?
Before we get into the pattern itself, let’s talk about why this project is worth your time. Claw clips have made a massive comeback, and if you’re anything like most people who love hair accessories, you’ve probably accumulated more of them than you know what to do with. They end up in bathroom drawers, scattered on nightstands, or lost somewhere in the depths of a bag.
A macrame claw clip holder solves that problem beautifully. It keeps your clips organized and visible, so you can grab exactly what you need without digging through a pile. It also turns a practical item into a piece of wall art. Natural cotton rope, wooden dowels, and a few well-placed knots come together to create something that looks like it came from a boutique shop, not your kitchen table — though it absolutely came from your kitchen table, and that’s something to be proud of.
There’s also the meditative quality of macrame itself. The repetitive motions of tying knots have a calming, almost hypnotic effect that many crafters describe as therapeutic. This is a project you can work on while watching a show, listening to a podcast, or simply enjoying some quiet time to yourself.
Materials You’ll Need
One of the best things about this project is that it requires very few supplies, most of which you can find at a craft store or order online without spending a lot of money.
Macrame cord: You’ll need approximately 80–100 feet of 3mm single-strand or 3-ply twisted cotton macrame cord in a natural cream or any color you love. Single-strand cord gives you a softer, more fringe-friendly finish, while twisted cord has a more structured look.
A wooden dowel: One dowel measuring approximately 12 inches wide. This is what you’ll hang the holder from. You can use a store-bought dowel, a branch from your yard, or even a piece of driftwood for a more rustic aesthetic.
A wooden ring or brass ring: One ring approximately 2–3 inches in diameter. This will form the back loop for hanging the finished piece.
Scissors: A sharp pair dedicated to your craft supplies will make clean cuts much easier.
A measuring tape: Precision matters when cutting your cords to length.
A comb or stiff brush: For brushing out fringe at the end, if you choose to add that finishing touch.
Small S-hooks or wooden pegs (optional): These can be attached along the bottom of your holder to give you individual hooks for each clip, though the pattern itself creates built-in pockets that work just as well.
A mounting hook or nail: For hanging the finished piece on your wall.
Understanding Basic Macrame Knots
If you’re new to macrame, don’t worry. This pattern uses only a few fundamental knots, and once you’ve practiced them a handful of times, they become second nature. Here’s a quick reference guide before you begin.
The Lark’s Head Knot: This is how you’ll attach your cords to the dowel. Fold a cord in half, place the folded loop over the dowel from front to back, then pull both ends through the loop and tighten. It’s the starting point of nearly every macrame project.
The Square Knot: This is the workhorse of macrame. You’ll use four cords — two outer working cords and two inner filler cords. Take the left working cord, cross it over the two filler cords and under the right working cord. Then take the right working cord, pass it under the filler cords and up through the loop on the left. Pull both ends gently to tighten. That’s the first half. For the second half, reverse the motion: start from the right this time. When you complete both halves, you have a full square knot.
The Half Square Knot (Spiral Knot): This is simply repeating only the first half of the square knot over and over. After enough repetitions, your cord will naturally spiral in a beautiful twisted pattern. It’s one of the most visually striking techniques in macrame and requires almost no extra skill.
The Gathering Knot (Wrapping Knot): This knot is used to bundle cords together. Take one cord and wrap it tightly around a group of cords multiple times, then feed the end back through the wraps and pull to tighten. It creates a neat, finished look that’s great for transitions in your piece.
The Overhand Knot: Simply tie a basic knot like you would at the end of a thread before sewing. Used primarily for finishing ends and preventing fraying.
Cutting Your Cords
Before you start knotting, you need to cut your cords to the right lengths. Macrame almost always requires much more cord than you think, because so much of it gets used up in the knotting process. As a general rule, cut each cord to about four times the desired finished length of the section it’s being used in — and sometimes more for intricate knotting.
For this pattern, cut the following:
16 cords at 5 feet each — These will be your main working cords attached to the dowel. When folded in half and attached with a lark’s head knot, each cord becomes two 2.5-foot strands.
2 cords at 3 feet each — These are your gathering knot cords, used to create the pockets and section dividers.
1 cord at 2 feet — This is for attaching your hanging ring to the dowel.
If you’d like longer fringe at the bottom, add an extra foot to each of your main working cords. If you prefer a cleaner, shorter finish, you can trim the fringe after completing the main body of the piece.
Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions
Now that your materials are ready and your cords are cut, let’s walk through the pattern from start to finish.
Step 1: Attach the hanging ring. Take your 2-foot cord and fold it in half. Loop it through your ring using a lark’s head knot. Then tie both ends tightly around the center of your dowel, securing the ring so it hangs centered above the dowel. This will be how you mount the finished piece on the wall.
Step 2: Attach your main cords. Take all 16 of your 5-foot cords and attach them to the dowel using lark’s head knots, spacing them evenly across the 12-inch dowel. When you’re done, you’ll have 32 strands hanging down from the dowel. Keep them organized by grouping them in pairs of four — you’ll have 8 groups of 4 cords each.
Step 3: Tie the first row of square knots. Working from left to right, use each group of 4 cords to tie one square knot, positioning it approximately 1 inch below the dowel. Take your time with this first row to make sure your knots are aligned and at an even height. This row forms the top section of your holder.
Step 4: Create the alternating square knot pattern. Skip the first 2 cords on the left and the last 2 cords on the right. Now take groups of 4 cords from adjacent knots in the previous row — specifically, the right 2 cords from one knot and the left 2 cords from the knot next to it. Use these to tie new square knots about 1.5 inches below the first row. This alternating pattern is what creates the net-like structure that forms the claw clip pockets. Continue alternating rows in this way, with approximately 1.5 inches of space between each row, until you have a total of 4 rows of alternating square knots.
Step 5: Create the pocket dividers. After your fourth row of alternating square knots, it’s time to add the gathering knots that will define the individual pockets for your claw clips. Take one of your 3-foot gathering cords and wrap it horizontally across the entire width of your piece, securing it around the outer cords on each side and wrapping it around vertical groups of cords in the middle. Pull firmly and tie off at the back to keep it in place. This creates a visual divider and helps the pockets hold their shape. Repeat this step approximately 3 inches below the first gathering cord to create a second level of pockets.
Step 6: Tie a second section of alternating square knots. Below your first gathering cord, repeat the alternating square knot process for another 4 rows. This creates a second set of pockets beneath the first. By now, your holder should have a lovely layered look with two distinct pocket sections.
Step 7: Add the second gathering cord. Repeat the gathering cord process below your second section of square knots, mirroring what you did in step 5. This completes the lower section of pockets and gives your piece a clean transition into the fringe.
Step 8: Finish the fringe. Below the second gathering cord, you have several options. You can leave the cords hanging freely as a straight fringe, trimming them to an even length. You can cut them into a V-shape or chevron for a more dynamic look. Or, if you’d like a fuller, softer fringe, use your comb or stiff brush to unravel and fluff each cord end. Run the comb through each strand multiple times until it fans out into soft, fluffy cotton. Trim the ends to your desired length and shape once they’re fully brushed out.
Hanging and Styling Your Claw Clip Holder
Once your piece is complete, the fun part begins: hanging it up and filling it with your collection. Hammer a small nail or install a small hook at your desired location — a bathroom wall near the mirror, a bedroom wall beside the vanity, or even inside a closet door. Hang the piece using the ring you attached in step one.
To use the holder, simply slide your claw clips onto the mesh pockets. The square knot structure naturally creates gaps that are perfectly sized for most standard and large claw clips. You can organize them by color, size, or style — or you can mix them in an artfully casual way that looks intentional but effortless.
For smaller hair clips or bobby pins, try adding a few small S-hooks along the bottom dowel to create additional hanging points. A strip of adhesive velcro along the back can also turn the holder into a magnetic-style organizer for metal clips.
Tips for Customizing Your Pattern
This pattern is really just a starting point. Once you feel comfortable with the basic structure, there are so many ways to make it your own.
Try using dyed cord in dusty rose, sage green, or terracotta to match your room’s color palette. Gradient-dyed ombre cord creates a stunning visual effect that’s especially eye-catching. You can also combine cord thicknesses — using thicker cord for the frame and thinner cord for the interior knot work creates interesting texture contrast.
Adding wooden beads is another popular way to personalize macrame. Slide a bead onto two or four cords before tying your next square knot to incorporate it into the structure. Beads in natural wood, clay, or ceramic all work beautifully.
If you’d like a wider holder to accommodate a larger collection, simply cut more cords and space them across a longer dowel. Going from 12 inches to 18 or 24 inches doubles or triples your storage capacity without requiring any changes to the knot structure itself.
You can also experiment with adding a shelf-like element by weaving a thin wooden disc or metal ring into the lower section of the piece, creating a tray-like space for larger accessories.
How to Care for Your Macrame Holder
Cotton macrame cord is durable but does benefit from a little care. If your holder gets dusty, a gentle shake or a pass with a soft brush will remove surface dust. For a deeper clean, you can spot-clean with a damp cloth and mild soap, then reshape while damp and allow to air dry completely before hanging again.
Keep your holder away from direct sunlight for extended periods, as this can cause natural cotton to yellow over time. In humid environments like bathrooms, make sure there’s adequate ventilation to prevent the cotton from retaining moisture.
If fringe ends become frizzy or tangled from regular use, a light mist of water and a gentle combing-through will refresh them nicely.
Sharing Your Finished Project
There’s something genuinely satisfying about finishing a handmade project, and a macrame claw clip holder is the kind of thing that always earns compliments. If you make this, consider sharing a photo of your finished piece — on Instagram, Pinterest, or wherever you love to post your creative work. Searching and using tags related to macrame, DIY hair accessories, and boho home decor will connect you with a warm, welcoming community of fellow crafters who are always excited to see what others are creating.
This pattern also makes a wonderful handmade gift. Pair a finished holder with a set of coordinating claw clips in a matching color for a thoughtful, personalized present that looks far more expensive than it actually is to make.
Final Thoughts
Macrame is one of those crafts that rewards patience and repetition. Your first project might take a little longer than expected as you get comfortable with the knots, but by the time you’re finishing your second row of square knots, you’ll find your hands moving with a natural rhythm. The finished result — a beautiful, functional holder that keeps your claw clips beautifully organized — is well worth every minute.
This free macrame claw clip holder pattern is just the beginning. Once you’ve mastered the techniques here, you’ll have the foundation to tackle larger wall hangings, plant hangers, bags, and so much more. Keep experimenting, keep knotting, and most importantly, enjoy the process of making something with your own two hands.
Happy crafting!
