If you love projects that are both meaningful and beautiful, this macrame cross napkin holder is a wonderful piece to make for Easter. It combines a simple technique with a deeply symbolic shape, creating a decoration that can be used on your Easter table, gifted to someone special, or displayed as a handmade accent in your home.
This project uses Square Knots throughout, making it very accessible even if you are still building your macrame skills. It is a satisfying and relatively quick make, with an optional decorative detail at the end for those who would like to add a special touch.
Whether you are making this for a religious Easter celebration or simply looking for a meaningful seasonal decoration, I hope this project brings you joy.
About This Macrame Cross Napkin Holder
The cross shape is constructed by making two separate sennits of Square Knots and joining them together to form the arms of the cross. This method keeps the construction clean and structured, and it gives you full control over the proportions of each section.
The napkin holder is closed at the back using a small sennit that wraps around and holds the piece in shape. The finishing is intentionally kept at the back, giving the front a clean and polished appearance.
For those who would like to go a step further, I also included an optional Crown of Thorns detail. This is made using Alternating Half Hitch Knots and is shaped into a small loop that sits at the top of the cross. It is a subtle but meaningful addition that I personally love on this piece.
Materials You Will Need
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🧵 MACRAME CORDS:
- 4mm braided cotton cord with filling → Shop Here
- 4x of 80cm long.
- 3mm 4-ply cotton cord in the brown color → Shop Here
- 1x of 1.2m long
- 1x 90cm long
✂️OTHER MATERIALS:
A Note on Cord Choice
For this project, I chose to work with a braided cord with filling, rather than a hollow braided or single strand cord. I was looking for a finish that felt structured and neat, which is especially important for a piece like this where the shape of the cross needs to hold its form clearly.
Braided cord with filling tends to have a firmer body and a smoother surface, which gives the Square Knots a clean and defined look. It also helps the napkin holder keep its shape over time, rather than softening too much with handling.
If you only have regular cotton cord available, you can still make this project. Just keep in mind that the result will have a slightly softer and more textured appearance, which has its own charm. I recommend using a 4mm or 5mm thickness to ensure the knots have enough body and the cross holds its structure well.
Macrame Knots & Techniques Used
- Square Knot
- Alternating Half Hitch Knot (optional — for the Crown of Thorns detail).
If you are new to macrame, don’t worry. The Square Knot is one of the most foundational knots in macrame and is very beginner-friendly.
I also have a step-by-step post showing How to tie a macrame square knot, and you might enjoy my 4 Basic Macrame Knots guide if you would like to build your skills further before starting this project.
Watch the Step-by-Step Video Tutorial
You can follow the full tutorial here 👇
💡 If the video feels too fast at any moment, remember you can always adjust the playback speed in your video settings.
Tips for Success
- Keep your cord tension consistent when making each sennit. Uneven tension can affect the shape of the arms and make the cross look asymmetrical.
- Take your time when joining the two pieces together. This is the step that defines the overall look of the cross, so it is worth slowing down here.
- Choose your back carefully before hiding the ends. Once the cords are tucked in, and you have trimmed the ends, there is no coming back, so make sure you are happy with the front before cutting the cords.
- A small amount of fabric glue goes a long way. Apply it carefully between the cords to secure the ends without stiffening the piece too much.
- If you are adding the Crown of Thorns, make sure to keep your Half Hitch Knots even and consistent. Once you finish the sennit, pull gently on both ends to stretch it slightly, this will help the knots settle into place and show their texture more clearly.
Final Thoughts
This Macrame cross napkin holder is a lovely project to make for Easter, simple in technique, but full of meaning. It also makes a beautiful handmade gift, and you can easily adapt the cord colour to match your table setting or personal style.
If you make this project, I would love to see it! Feel free to share your creation and 📸 tag me on Instagram @studio_atk
Thank you so much for being here and supporting my macrame journey!
Happy knotting ♥
