Easy Beaded Macrame Bracelet with Sliding Knot (Beginner Tutorial + Video)
There’s something so satisfying about a simple, beautiful bracelet you can slip on and off in seconds… especially when you made it yourself.
This easy beaded macrame bracelet uses just one main knot (the classic square knot) plus a simple sliding knot closure with a couple overhand knots so it’s fully adjustable.
That means no fiddly clasps, no exact sizing stress, and no “oh no it doesn’t fit” moments. Just slide, tighten, and go.
Don’t forget to pin this for later!
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If you’re new to macrame, this is a great beginner project.
You only need waxed nylon cord, a few beads, and basic knotting skills.
Since the ends are melted to finish, the bracelet feels clean, secure, durable, and perfect for everyday wear.
Whether you’re making one for yourself, gifting it to a friend, or diving into a stack of friendship-style bracelets (which is dangerously addictive, just saying), this simple beaded macrame bracelet is a fun and quick project to try.
Buy the PRINTABLE copy
Beaded Macrame Bracelet – Printable PDF Pattern!
Reference this pattern any time you want with the printable PDF version!
It’s ad-free, and includes the written pattern with step by step photo tutorial!
Below, you’ll find the free pattern and the video tutorial for this fun project.
If you’re new to macrame and want to learn the basic knots before you dive in, I can help you with that!
Also, be sure to sign up below for my free printable PDF knot guide so you can keep it handy while you’re working on your projects!
More Free Macrame Patterns!
Looking for more macrame ideas? I’ve got lots of them to choose from! Here’s a few to get you started:
- 17 Free DIY Macrame Bracelet Patterns to Make!
- “Auda” Mini Macrame Wall Hanging – Free Pattern and Video!
- Free DIY Macrame Plant Hanger Pattern (Low Key & Tassel Free!)
- DIY Macrame Diamond Keychain (Free Pattern & Video!)
- 5 Boho DIY Macrame Christmas Ornaments
- Macrame Sling Bag (Phone Holder) Tutorial & Video!
Macrame Beaded Bracelet Tutorial
Supplies You’ll Need
- 1 mm waxed polyester thread (cut lengths are below)
- 6 mm large hole beads (mine have a 2 mm hole, you don’t want to go smaller than this or they won’t fit onto the cords) – I used 12 beads for my bracelets, if you want to make a larger one, grab a couple more
- Sharp Scissors
- Lighter (to melt cord ends)
- Foam macrame board, or you can tape your cords down to a table while you work
Cut List
- FILLER CORDS: 2 pieces @ 20″ long (50.8 cm)
- WORKING CORD: 1 piece @ 52″ long (132.08 cm) **see sizing note below**
Sizing Note
The working cord length listed above will make a bracelet that’s approx. 6″ around once tightened.
If you need to make yours bigger, here’s how to adjust!
Each segment with an additional bead + 3 square knots adds about 1/2″ to the length of your bracelet, and each of those segments uses about 6″ of working cord.
So, for every extra segment you want to add, just tack on an extra 6″ to your working cord before you start.
For example, if you want to add one more bead and square knot segment, you’d cut your working cord at 58″ instead of 52″.
Easy peasy!
Video Tutorial
Check out the tutorial video for this macrame bookmark on my YouTube channel, and don’t forget to subscribe!
Step 1 – Threading on the beads
Line up the ends of your 2 shorter filler cords. If you’re using a macrame board, stick one side into one of the slots on the top of the board. Or you can tape them to your work surface.
Thread 10 (or more if you’re making a larger bracelet) onto the filler cords. Save 2 beads to the side for the bracelet ties.
Once you get the beads threaded on, either secure the other ends on the other side of your macrame board, or tape them down to the table, leaving a little slack so you can reach your fingers behind the cords as you knot.
Slide the beads down close to the bottom.
Step 2 – Tying the square knots
Grab your longer working cord and fold it in half evenly.
Slide it in under the 2 filler cords and line it up so the center is right under the filler cords.
Tie a square knot around the 2 filler cords. Make sure there’s at least 5 inches of filler cord sticking out of the top.
Hold the working cord against the filler cord with your finger so it doesn’t move around, then cross the left cord over the two filler cords in sort of an L shape. (Or maybe more of a C in this pic, lol)
Bring the right working cord in front of the cord you just crossed over…
Then bring it back behind the two filler cords…
And then bring that cord through the loop on the left side. Pull both cords to tighten, and that’s the first half of the first square knot.
Try to keep the cord centered when you tighten it up.
First square knot completed!
(If you need some more help with the square knot, definitely watch the video because I’ll walk you through it step by step, and check out the knot guide I mentioned earlier if you haven’t yet!)
Tie 4 more square knots. All of these knots will be stacked together.
Slide one of the beads up right next to the square knot stack.
Now tie 3 square knots directly under the bead.
Slide another bead up and repeat, until you have all the beads accounted for.
After you slide the last bead up, tie 5 square knots to finish the knotted part of the bracelet.
Step 3 – Finishing the knotted part of the bracelet
Take the bracelet off the macrame board or un-tape it from your work surface.
Make sure your last square knot is nice and tight, then cut the excess working cord (not the filler cords!), leaving just a couple millimeters of cord sticking out.
Grab your lighter and carefully melt the ends of the working cords and kind of smash them down using the side of the lighter.
Be careful that you don’t accidentally melt the filler cords while you’re doing this, just hold them off to the side and they should be OK.
Step 4 – Making the ties and the sliding knot closure
Fold the bracelet in half and line up the first and last square knot.
Your filler cords are probably going to be uneven, but just make sure the shorter one is at least 5″ long, and then cut the other one to match.
If one side is shorter than that, carefully pull it and scoot the knots down until the shorter side is at least 5″ long.
Once all is said and done, you just want both sides to be the same length and at least 5″ long. Longer is fine too.
Grab your last 2 beads, and thread one onto each tie.
Tie an overhand knot right in the very end of each to secure the bead.
To tie an overhand knot, form a loop with your cord, pass the end through the loop, and pull tight.
Then tie another overhand knot on the other side of the bead so it’s held in place on the end of the tie.
Do that to both ties.
Then trim the excess cord on the ends and melt them down.
Now take one of the bracelet ties and make an overhand knot right down next to the bracelet knot, but don’t tighten it.
Do the same thing with the other bracelet tie.
Insert the beaded end of the right tie into the loose overhand knot of the left tie.
And insert the beaded end of the left tie into the loose overhand knot of the right tie.
Carefully tighten the overhand knots one at a time, being sure to push them down as close to the square knots as possible.
Now when you pull the bracelet ties, it’ll tighten the bracelet, and you just pull the bracelet apart to open it back up!
In Conclusion
And that’s it!
Once you’ve made one adjustable beaded macrame bracelet, it’s hard to stop at just one.
You can experiment with different bead sizes, mix up cord colors, or even layer several together for a stacked look.
If you make this bracelet, I’d love to see it!
You can tag me on social media @marchingnorth or leave a comment below and tell me what colors you chose.
I always love seeing how creative everyone gets with the same basic design.
If you enjoyed this project, you might also like some of my other beginner-friendly macrame tutorials (especially if you’re in the mood for more simple knotting projects with big payoff).