Say olá to Judith Jelena Paus, the designer behind our Lisboa key hanger pattern. Get the scoop on her creative journey and snag her top macramé tips to level up your craft. 🌿
Judith Jelena isn’t just a DIY expert – she’s a passionate macramé designer with years of experience. In this little chat, she lets us in on how she’s made macramé fun and approachable for everyone! 🥰🧶
From Wall Hangings to Bestselling Books: Judith’s Journey into the Knotting World of Macramé
Hi Judith! You’ve been a huge inspiration to the DIY community for years! Can you tell us a bit about how you got started, and what first sparked your love macramé?
“I’ve always been a bit of a hippie at heart, so it’s no surprise that macramé quickly captured my attention. I started back in 2017 with simple wall hangings but soon wanted more – especially to create cool outfits for music festivals. At that time, there was hardly anything available online, so I began designing my own patterns. That’s how my first book Fashion Macramé was born.
Later, I shared my passion on YouTube, where I introduced hundreds of thousands of people to macramé. This inspired me to write my second book, “Das Makramee Musterbuch” (The Macramé Pattern Book) – a kind of macramé bible with over 40 pattern ideas to help people create their own designs. It’s now also available in English and Spanish. I just love sharing this beautiful craft with others!”
What has it been like transitioning from DIY projects on Instagram to creating books and teaching others?
“For me, there’s nothing more fulfilling than sharing creative ideas and teaching others new techniques. I get messages and photos every day from people showing me what they’ve made using my patterns – emails, comments, private messages – and it always makes my day. It feels like, together, we’re making the world just a little bit more beautiful, one handmade piece at a time.”
We’re curious, how has living in vibrant cities like Berlin and Lisbon influenced your designs and creativity?
“I’ve always loved living in inspiring cities – before Lisbon, I called Berlin home, a place full of artists and creative minds. About a year and a half ago, we took the leap and moved to Portugal. While life by the sea is wonderful, we truly fell in love with the city itself. Lisbon, built on seven hills, offers breathtaking views everywhere you go. The colorful tiles, vibrant houses, and charming streets are pure inspiration. I feel incredibly grateful to live here with my husband and our dog – it’s the perfect place to dream, create, and enjoy life."
A Macramé Design with a Touch of Lisbon’s Charm
What inspired the “Lisboa” key hanger design for the new Hobbii macramé kit? Could it have something to do with your new home?
“You’re absolutely right! I wanted to design a key hanger that’s simple enough for beginners, yet has a few elegant details to make it interesting. The pattern reminds me of the beautiful tiles that decorate the buildings of Lisbon. My hope is that everyone who makes this piece will feel a little touch of that vacation feeling and the charm of this vibrant city.”
Want to get started with macramé? Get the kit here ➜
What advice would you give to someone new to macramé who is about to try this project?
“Just go for it! Even as a beginner, you can absolutely do this. Practice makes perfect. Watch the tutorial video, pause whenever you need, and most importantly – have fun! You’ll see, before long you’ll feel like a pro and be making all kinds of beautiful key hangers.”
How can more experienced macramé crafters make the design their own by adding personal touches?
“You can repeat the pattern as many times as you like or add beads to give it a unique twist. We’ve even included extra cord in the kit so you can experiment with your own ideas. A few small changes to the original instructions, and you’ve got your very own version of the key hanger. There are no limits to your creativity!”
Macramé Made Easy: 3 Free Patterns by Judith Jelena
You’ve also designed three other free macramé patterns for Hobbii. Can you tell us more about these?
“From personal experience, I know that once you start knotting, it’s hard to stop – it’s like a beautiful and healthy addiction! That’s why we made sure to create more designs. There’s something for everyone: easy projects like the tote bag or the fruit net, and for those looking for a little challenge, the wall hanging is a perfect fit. All designs are modern, practical, and perfect for everyday use, whether as a gift or just for yourself.”
Anything else you’d like to share with our macramé makers?
“I wish everyone who’s just getting started with macramé lots of joy with their new hobby! And I’m excited to see how more advanced crafters will make the projects their own. It’s always so inspiring to see everyone’s beautiful color choices and how unique each finished piece turns out. We’re really looking forward to seeing all the creations shared with the hashtags!”
Get the Lisboa Macramé Keyhanger Kit Here
Ready to start knotting? 🧶 Grab your Lisboa key hanger kit and create a beautiful, personalized piece with Judith’s expert design. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, this kit has everything you need to bring a little piece of Lisbon into your home! 🇵🇹✨
Get your Lisboa Macramé Kit here ➜
Pssst! You’ll also get access to a thorough video tutorial by Judith Jelena to guide you every step of the way.
Get the 3 Free Macramé Patterns Here
Can’t get enough of macramé? 🎉 Download Judith's 3 free patterns and keep the creative flow going! From the beginner-friendly tote bag to the slightly more challenging wall hanging, these modern designs are perfect for everyday use or as gifts. Start knotting and bring these stunning projects to life!
Download the 3 Free Macramé Patterns here:
