The Little Big Book of Macramé

Yes. The Little Big Book of Macramé is designed to help you learn the basics without relying on guesswork: first it covers the “before you begin” (preparation and how to work), then it moves on to knots, braids and finishing. That’s exactly what a beginner needs: understanding the logical order, not just making a single knot in isolation.

It also has a very workbench-friendly approach: you open it at the point you need and practise. That’s why it works as a macramé guide for beginners, both for learning from zero and for revising whenever you get stuck on a step and want to carry on without improvising.

The core of the book is designed to follow while you’re knotting: it uses short explanations and, above all, step-by-step diagrams, with several illustrations per knot or variation. This format is very useful because it shows you which cord moves and where it passes, without forcing you to interpret a photo or guess the exact positioning.

If you’re looking for a step-by-step macramé book, The Little Big Book of Macramé is the right one for learning clearly. These kinds of diagrams let you repeat the same movement until it feels natural. And once you’ve mastered it, it becomes a quick reference so you don’t waste time rewinding videos or searching for the exact minute.

It’s mainly a techniques and structures manual: it teaches knots, combinations, braids and finishing so you can build your own designs or adapt ideas. That’s often the most practical way to progress properly, because you’re not tied to a single closed project: you learn “building blocks” (knots and patterns) that you can reuse.

Put simply: if your goal is to master basic macramé knots and understand how to combine them to create textures, The Little Big Book of Macramé gives you a very solid foundation. And if what you want is to make wall hangings, plant hangers or decorative details, the techniques in the book give you the tools to apply them to those projects without needing an “exact pattern” for each one.

It covers knots and constructions that form part of core macramé: basic knots (such as the square knot), variations and combinations for creating rows and patterns, plus structures like cords and braids. It also includes principles and finishing, and adds a final knot table, which is very handy as a visual index when you want to find a technique quickly.

If you want to practise macramé braids and cords, The Little Big Book of Macramé is ideal because it doesn’t only show the “result”, but the process you need to repeat it evenly. That helps you achieve a more uniform finish and understand why a diagonal opens up, why a cord twists, or how to keep a consistent direction.

The most effective approach is to work with small samples. Open The Little Big Book of Macramé at one knot, repeat it several times on a short length of cord, and focus on two things: whether you tighten with the same force each time, and whether you keep the same “step length” in every repeat. That short practice will correct you more than starting a big project on day one.

Then move on to combinations (rows, patterns, cords or braids) and check the diagram every few repeats. That way you stop small mistakes from multiplying and you won’t end up unpicking. This method turns the book into a real tool: you don’t just learn, you improve your technique and consistency without endless trial and error.

Yes, especially if you already have a foundation. Videos are great for starting, but when you want to progress you often need an organised “crib sheet”: a place to go straight to the knot, see the cord path, and get back to work in seconds. That’s where a technique book makes the difference, because it sits with you on the table and saves you time searching through scattered information.

If you’re thinking of buying The Little Big Book of Macramé, keep this in mind: the value isn’t only learning, but having a steady reference for practising and refining your work.