How to Make a Macrame Plant Holder
While the thought of macrame may bring back visions of 1970s avocado green decor, the craft is ripe for a revival, according to the popular style blog, Apartment Therapy. By using natural materials in one color, simplifying the knotting design and keeping embellishments to a minimum; you can create a practical plant holder for your modern home that doesn't scream retro. To make a macrame plant holder of your own, you should be familiar with (or willing to learn) how to make a square knot, half-knot twist and an overhand knot.
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Things You'll Need
- Jute twine in natural or black
- Scissors
- Chair post or doorknob
- Rubber band
Instructions
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Cut your jute into eight pieces; four that are 7 yards long and four that are 3 yards long. Fold the cords in half so the ends meet evenly. Arrange the folded cords into pairs comprising one short and one long cord.
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Cut an additional piece of twine from your spool of jute, about a yard long. Set aside.
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Gather all your pairs of folded cords together into a neat bunch, with all the folds together at the top. Secure with a rubber band a few inches down from the top. Hang the bunch over a doorknob or the top post of a chair, adjusting the rubber band if necessary so the bunch can easily be removed. The post or doorknob will provide the resistance needed to make tight knots, according to Purdue University's Marion County Extension.
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Take the additional piece of twine in your dominant hand and make a loop with a 3-inch tail. Hold the loop--with your non-dominant hand-- so it is up against the rubber band, with the top of the loop just above the band. With your other hand, wrap the twine tightly over the looped twine and around the bunch of twine, starting about 2 inches down from the top edge of the rubber band. Wrap neatly up, covering the rubber band and all but the top of the loop. Put the end of the wrapping twine through the loop and pull on the remaining 1-inch tail at the bottom of the wrap to pull the free end inside the gathering cord to secure. Clip off ends. This is the top of your plant hanger.
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Divide your cords into four groups, each with two short and two long strands. Pick up the first bunch and manipulate the strands so the short ones are on the inside with a long strand on either side. Make a square knot. Do the same for the remaining three bunches.
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Make a series of eight square knots about 6 inches down the first set of cords. Make 24 half knots directly under the square knots. The half knots will make a spiral around the center cords. Complete eight more square knots. Repeat the series of knots on each bundle.
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Pick up the first and second bundle of cords. Using two cords closest to each other from each set, make a square knot. Do the same with the second and third bundle, third and fourth bundle, and fourth and first bundle.
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Make another round of square knots 2 1/2 inches below the first round, joining cords between bunches as in the first round. This process is called alternating square knots and creates a cradle of sorts for the plant pot.
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Let all the cords fall together. Tie an overhand knot in the whole bunch about 2 1/2 inches from the last row of alternating square knots. Separate the strands in the remaining length of twine as a fringe if desired and trim off evenly.
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Tips & Warnings
Pull the strands tight as you are working.
Use a cachepot or a pot with saucer in your macrame plant hanger to keep the plant from dripping when watered.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit string image by Pefkos from Fotolia.com
