DIY Macrame Owl Wall Hanging for a Woodland Nursery (Step-by-Step Design Guide)

A DIY macrame owl wall hanging is one of those nursery projects that looks much more complicated than it actually is once you get started. The shape comes together slowly from a few simple knots, and somewhere in the middle it stops looking like loose cotton cord and starts looking like a perfect little woodland accent with real personality. What I like about this one is that it feels handmade in the best way. Soft, textured, a little imperfect, and warm enough to make a blank nursery wall look really special.

Go here to see more and the recommended cord for this project

If you like this owl design, you can find more step-by-step projects in my free baby patterns collection.

Skill Level: Beginner to early intermediate
Basic familiarity with square knots and double half-hitch knots is recommended.
Estimated Time: 2–3 hours
Finished Size: Approximately 14–18 inches wide × 20–24 inches long (depending on trimming length)

Project Overview: This DIY macrame owl wall hanging uses 4 mm single-strand cotton cord, square knots, and double half-hitch techniques to form the owl head, body, wings, and feathered tassel base. The steps below include exact cord counts, knot sequence structure, and layout progression.

Materials Used in This Design for Your DIY Macramé Owl Wall Hanging

See my favorite cords and supplies here

Macramé Cord

• 12 cords at 6 feet each (cream)
• 4 cords at 6 feet each (sage accent)
Use 4 mm single-strand cotton cord for best brushing results. Cut all cords before starting so the sage cords can be placed evenly from the beginning instead of added later.

This equals 16 total cords folded in half, resulting in 32 working strands on your dowel.

Total cord cut for this pattern is approximately 96 feet. Finished cord use may vary slightly depending on knot tension and trimming length.

Wooden Dowel or Natural Branch

1 dowel approximately 16 inches wide.

Wooden Beads for Eyes

2 round wooden beads (¾–1 inch diameter).

Scissors + Comb

Sharp scissors for shaping and a small comb for feathering tassels.

Safe Nursery Placement

If hanging near a crib, mount securely and position high enough to remain fully out of reach. Review crib safety standards for placement guidance.

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

Begin by preparing your cords and dowel on a flat surface with all materials within reach. Once attached, the owl shape will build from top to bottom in structured rows. Keep your knot tension consistent throughout the project. Pull each square knot snug enough to hold its shape, but not so tight that the owl begins to curl inward.

Knot Reference for This Pattern

Square Knot: A basic macramé knot formed by alternating left and right half knots around two center cords.

Double Half-Hitch Knot: A directional knot tied around a guide cord to create angled lines or outlines, used here for shaping the wings.

1. Attach the Cords (Lark’s Head Knots)

Fold each cord in half and attach to the dowel using Lark’s Head knots. Place the 4 sage cords near the center, with cream cords on both sides, so the accent color is already built into the owl body. You should now have 16 Lark’s Head knots and 32 working strands hanging evenly spaced. Before tying the first row, slide the knots so they fill about 10–12 inches of the dowel, leaving extra dowel visible on both ends.

2. Form the Owl’s Head (Square Knots)

Using groups of 4 strands, tie the owl head in a staggered square-knot pattern. Row 1: leave 4 strands loose on each outer side and tie 6 square knots across the center 24 strands. Row 2: leave 2 strands loose on each side of the previous row and tie 5 staggered square knots. Add the wooden bead eyes in the next step before completing the lower head rows. After the eyes are positioned, tie Row 3 with 6 square knots across the center, then tie Row 4 with 5 staggered square knots. This creates a rounded head section while leaving enough outer strands for the wing outlines later. The finished head section should measure approximately 6–8 inches wide before moving into the body rows.

3. Add the Wooden Bead Eyes

Add the wooden bead eyes after Row 2 of the head, before the lower head rows are fully tightened. Thread two center strands through each bead so the beads sit evenly inside the square-knot head section. Tie a small overhand knot behind each bead to hold it in place, then continue Rows 3 and 4 below the eyes. Position both eyes at the same height before tightening the surrounding knots.

4. Create the Body With Accent Rows

Use the sage cords already attached near the center to create the accent body section. Begin directly below the head with 4 centered square knots. For the next row, tie 3 staggered square knots. Then tie 2 centered square knots, followed by 1 square knot at the center point of the body. Reverse the sequence by tying 2 square knots, then 3 square knots, then 4 square knots. This creates a simple diamond-shaped body pattern. At the widest point, the body should measure about 5–7 inches across. Keep the knots snug but not tight so the owl keeps a soft woven shape.

If you like soft, nature-inspired designs like this, you may also enjoy browsing my DIY nursery decor ideas for more wall accents and handmade touches.

For additional woodland inspiration, see neutral baby nursery.

5. Form the Wings (Double Half-Hitch Knots)

If you are learning how to make a macrame owl for the first time, follow the steps in order and complete each row before trimming or shaping the base.

On the left side, use the outermost strand as the guide cord and angle it down toward the center of the owl. Tie double half-hitch knots over that guide cord with each neighboring strand until the line reaches the lower body. Repeat on the right side, using the outermost right strand as the guide cord and angling it down toward the center. Mirror the knot angle and spacing on both sides so the wings frame the body evenly. Before moving to the tassels, both wing points should end at about the same height.

6. Create the Feathered Base

Tie one final row of 4 square knots across the lower body to help lock the owl shape in place. Leave the remaining lower strands untied below that row. Comb gently to separate the fibers and trim into a soft feather shape. Before trimming, step back and check that both sides of the owl are symmetrical and that the wing angles mirror each other evenly.

7. Final Trim + Finished Owl

Trim the base evenly or shape into a gentle “V” depending on your preferred finish. For the most repeatable result, leave the longest center tassels about 6–8 inches below the final knot row, then trim the outer tassels slightly shorter to create the owl’s feathered base.

Your DIY macrame owl wall hanging pattern is now complete and ready for decorative nursery placement.

This pattern is intended for decorative wall use only.

Where to Hang Your Finished Macramé Owl

Once your DIY macrame owl wall hanging is finished, deciding where to place it in the nursery makes all the difference. I love styling it above a dresser, over a small floating shelf, or centered on a blank accent wall where it becomes a quiet focal point.

In a woodland nursery, the owl pairs beautifully with warm wood tones, woven baskets, soft cream textiles, and muted sage accents.

A handmade crib mobile can extend that woodland look upward, and this DIY woodland crib mobile uses simple forest-inspired shapes that coordinate naturally with owl wall decor, woven textures, and nursery animal accents.

Woodland rooms also feel more collected when several forest animals are layered into the design instead of focusing on only one, and these forest friends nursery decorating ideas show how foxes, deer, rabbits, bears, and owls can work together in one cozy storybook-inspired space.

To see how those elements come together across a full room, these complete owl baby nursery ideas walk through layout, color, and styling choices.

It doesn’t need a lot around it. In fact, this piece works best when it has a little breathing room so the texture and feathered tassels can stand out.

If you’re designing a smaller room, consider reviewing my small nursery layout ideas before finalizing placement. Thoughtful spacing keeps the room feeling calm instead of crowded.

This wall hanging also coordinates naturally with other owl and woodland themes. If you're building a cohesive look, you might enjoy browsing my owl nursery inspiration page or exploring the broader woodland nursery theme collection.

Above all, keep placement secure and fully out of reach of the crib. Decorative texture should always enhance the room without interfering with safe sleep space.

Frequently Asked Questions About a DIY Macrame Owl Wall Hanging

Is this a beginner-friendly macrame pattern?

Yes. This DIY macrame owl wall hanging uses basic square knots and double half-hitch rows. If you understand how to tie consistent square knots, you can complete this project successfully.

How much cord does this pattern require?

This pattern uses approximately 96 feet of 4 mm single-strand cotton cord. Cut 16 cords, each 6 feet long (12 cream and 4 sage accent). Fold each cord in half and attach it to the dowel with a Lark's Head knot to create 32 working strands. Depending on your knot tension and final trimming length, you may use slightly less than the full amount of cord.

Can I change the size of the owl?

Yes. You can increase or decrease the number of body rows to lengthen or shorten the owl. Thicker cord will also produce a larger finished design.

Is it safe to hang macrame above a crib?

This wall hanging is designed for decorative use only. If placed in a nursery, it must be mounted securely and positioned completely out of reach of the crib sleep space.

For broader nursery planning context, explore my nursery ideas page or browse my DIY nursery decor ideas collection for more inspiration.