How to make easy boho drawer pulls using macrame yarn
When I was working on my secretary desk makeover, I wanted to come up with a unique and affordable way to make some hardware for it since I didn’t want to use the old pulls. You guys know that I’m on a macrame kick lately. Macrame yarn is just so affordable, fun, and easy to work with. Today’s boho drawer pulls are the perfect addition to my desk makeover and check off all the boxes in my book.
Check out what I did to make this such an easy and affordable project for your next furniture makeover.
easy DIY boho drawer pulls using macrame yarn
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I googled boho drawer pulls and nothing like my idea came up. This is one of those easy projects that will get copied a lot because they are just so easy and affordable to make. I had everything at hand and was even able to make the boho drawer pulls out of scraps that I had left. Whenever I work on a macrame piece, I keep a big bag full of cut-off scraps which come in handy for projects like this.
I’ve made so many macrame projects in the past year but I feel like my house doesn’t look like it is plastered full of macrame yarn. Do you agree?
Supplies needed for boho drawer pulls
- 4mm macrame yarn (you can use any thickness of macrame yarn, I used 4mm… the thicker the yarn the chunkier the handles)
- comb
- scissors
- clamp or tape
- large needle
- stiff hemp yarn or other cord
- fabric stiffener
(The reason I used hemp yarn is that it is tough and stiff and easy to thread through the wood holes of the wooden drawers but you can use any other yarn of your choosing. More macrame yarn would work too, you’d probably have to use a needle that fits through the drawer holes though.)
Video tutorial
My photos are snapshots of the actual video. Make sure you watch it to see the entire process. Use the triangle on the image to turn on the video. If you are on a cellphone or other device, turn it horizontally for better viewing.
If it doesn’t load for some reason then you can also watch it on my YouTube Channel.
Step-by-step instructions and photos on how to make boho drawer pulls
Step 1: Measure existing hardware holes
Take a look at the distance of your drawer hardware holes or if you don’t have holes yet, figure out the distance you want them to be and measure. that. Write down your measurement.
Step 2: Cut macrame yarn
Cut two pieces of yarn about 3-4 inches longer than the distance between the holes. These two will be your center strings.
For the outside strings, cut two more pieces about 2 times longer than the first two pieces you cut. The reason for that is that the two center strings don’t get used for the actual knotting and the length remains the same.
Step 3: Clamp the 4 strings together
Clamp the 4 pieces of macrame together at the top. Make sure that the two shorter strings are in the center and that you clamp the yarn 1.5 to 2 inches in.
Step 4: Knot a strand of Square Knots
Make rows of square knots to the desired length of your needed drawer pull which you measured earlier. So if the distance of your existing holes is for example 4.5″ long, then make your Square Knots strand slightly longer than 4.5 inches because you will have to be able to slide your hand under the pull when attached. (Mine are about 1.5″ longer than the distance between existing holes)
I’m showing in my video today how to make Square Knots. Or you can check out my YouTube video about Square Knots.
Step 5: Trim the end cords
If you have reached the desired length, cut the end cords to the same length as the length of the cord on the starting point which was around 1.5″ to 2″ inches. The fringe needs to be the same length on each side.
Step 6: Cut the hemp cord
Cut two 30-inch pieces of hemp string and fold them in half to double them up.
Step 7: Thread hemp string through Square Knot strand
Thread the hemp string through the needle and poke the needle through the square knot strand about a knot and a half in as pictured. Then poke and thread it through again.
Step 8: Knot the Hemp string around the Square Knot strand
Knot the hemp string tightly. This will prevent the macrame knots from opening and also keep the drawer pull securely in place on your piece of furniture.
Step 9: Open and comb the end pieces of macrame yarn
Open up the fringe with your fingers or comb. The brush/comb it.
Step 10: Soak the end fringe in fabric stiffener
Now soak the combed fringe in fabric stiffener or starch. This part is very important because without the stiffener the fringe will flop down when added to your piece of furniture. It looks best when it is super stiff. Just like I showed you in my macrame square knot bracelet tutorial with fringe and macrame earrings tutorial.
Let the fabric stiffener-soaked fringe dry and repeat if it isn’t stiff enough yet.
Step 11: Comb and trim the stiff end fringe
Comb the fringe again and trim both sides to the same length when it is completely dried. And you are done with your boho drawer pull.
Step 12: How to attach the boho drawer pulls
Below you can see what the macrame dresser drawer pull looks like from the side.
Thread the hemp cord through each hardware hole.
And attach the macrame dresser drawer pulls with a very tight knot on the inside of the drawer. Adjust the handle on the outside to make it straight and that’s it.
Finished boho drawer pulls on desk
Check out my bleached cherry wood desk makeover for details on how I bleached and lime waxed it.
More affordable DIY furniture hardware projects
So if you want a cheap alternative to all the pricey hardware out there then you can give these boho drawer pulls a try or my leather drawer pulls or I have a tutorial for affordable, DIY drawer pulls. All are great easy and affordable options.
Don’t you agree that these easy drawer pulls add the perfect bohemian touch to my traditional desk? I love mixing styles.
Tschüß,
More of my macrame projects
Printable macrame boho drawer pull instructions
How to make boho drawer pulls using macrame yarn
This is a tutorial about how to make super cheap boho drawer pulls that also hide imperfections and are adjustable to different lengths to fit over existing holes in your piece of furniture.
Instructions
- Take a look at the distance of your drawer hardware holes or if you don't have holes yet, figure out the distance you want them to be and measure. that. Write down your measurement.
- Cut two pieces of yarn about 3-4 inches longer than the distance between the holes. These two will be your center strings. For the outside strings, cut two more pieces about 2 times longer than the first two pieces you cut. The reason for that is that the two center strings don't get used for the actual knotting and the length remains the same.
- Clamp the 4 pieces of macrame together at the top. Make sure that the two shorter strings are in the center and that you clamp the yarn 1.5 to 2 inches in.
- Make rows of square knots to the desired length of your needed drawer pull which you measured earlier. So if the distance of your existing holes is for example 4.5" long, then make your Square Knots strand slightly longer than 4.5 inches because you will have to be able to slide your hand under the pull when attached. (Mine are about 1.5" longer than the distance between existing holes) I'm showing in my video how to make Square Knots.
- If you have reached the desired length, cut the end cords to the same length as the length of the cord on the starting point which was around 1.5" to 2" inches. The fringe needs to be the same length on each side.
- Cut two 30-inch pieces of hemp string and fold them in half to double them up.
- Thread the hemp string through the needle and poke the needle through the square knot strand about a knot and a half in as pictured. Then poke and thread it through again.
- Knot the hemp string tightly. This will prevent the macrame knots from opening and also keep the drawer pull securely in place on your piece of furniture.
- Open up the fringe with your fingers or comb. The brush/comb it.
- Now soak the combed fringe in fabric stiffener or starch. This part is very important because without the stiffener the fringe will flop down when added to your piece of furniture. It looks best when it is super stiff.
Let the fabric stiffener-soaked fringe dry and repeat if it isn't stiff enough yet. - Comb the fringe again and trim both sides to the same length when it is completely dried. And you are done with your boho drawer pull.
- Thread the hemp cord through each hardware hole. And attach the macrame dresser drawer pulls with a very tight knot on the inside of the drawer. Adjust the handle on the outside to make it straight and that's it.
Notes
The reason I used hemp yarn is that it is tough and stiff and easy to thread through the wood holes of the wooden drawers but you can use any other yarn of your choosing. More macrame yarn would work too, you'd probably have to use a needle that fits through the drawer holes though.
So clever! I was wanting to try leather pulls on my dresser. Wonder how this idea would work with leather cord. May have to give it a try! I have the fishbowl light almost finished. My lights should be here today
Oh you made the lantern! That’s awesome! I don’t think the drawer handles would work with the leather cord because of the fringe at the end.
Love them. Wondering if you can spray the handles with Scotchguard before attaching? I would think they would be easier to keep clean.
I’m sure you could. My drawers don’t get used all that often so I’m not worried about them getting dirty.
this idea is SOOOO genius!!!!
Thanks Cassie, I feel like this hasn’t been done before. At least I didn’t see any 🙂
I love this so much!
Thanks so much Janice. Happy new year.