Simple Macrame Plant Hanger Instructions

Hang your potted plants in a macrame hanger.

Create a decorative plant hanger with just the basic macrame knots and a few beads. Hemp is a good choice of material, but other types of string work well, too. Rough hemp creates a hanger with a rustic look. For a sleeker, more sophisticated hanger, try white nylon cord. The rule of thumb for measuring cord is four times the desired length of your hanger. For a 32-inch hanger, cut cords 128 inches in length. If you wish to include beads, purchase wooden beads with large holes. You can pin the project to a macrame board with T-pins, tape it to a table top, or just work freehand.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Project board
• T-pins
• Metal ring 1 to 1½ inches in diameter
• Hemp or nylon cord
• 4 wooden beads

Instructions

1. 

   Cut eight lengths of cord.

   Cut and measure eight lengths of cord, each 128 inches long.

2. 

   Mount the cords on the metal ring.

   Mount the cords on the metal ring, using a lark's head mounting knot. Fold each cord in half unevenly, with one side about 34 inches long. Take the loop and put it under the metal ring, then pull the ends of the cord up through the loop, securing the cord to the ring. Mount each cord the same way.

3. 

   Gather the strands together and wrap them.

   Cut a length of cord about 12 inches long. Bunch together the 16 strands mounted on the metal ring. Fold the cord at about 3 inches and lay it beside the bunched cords, looped at the top about an inch from the mounting knots. Bring the cord down about 2 inches, and begin wrapping from the bottom. Wrap tightly until near the top loop, then pull the end of the wrapping cord through the loop, pulling both ends of the cord to hide the loop inside the wrap. Trim the wrapper cord ends.

4. Divide the cords into sets of four, two long and two short. Use rubber bands, if you wish, to keep the groups separate as you work. Begin making half square knots with the two long cords, or “knotters,” over the two shorter "carrier" cords. With the four cords lying side by side, the two short in the middle, take the right cord and put it over the two center cords, and under the left cord. Take the left cord and draw it under the two center cords and up through the loop created by the right cord. Pull taught. Repeating this knot will cause the work to twist. Just turn the work and continue knotting until the twisted part is 4 inches long.

5. 

   Add your choice of wooden beads.

   Slide a wooden bead up the length of twine on the two inner cords, bring the knotters down around the bead, and tie another half square knot.

6. Add variety to your hanger by switching to full square knots after the bead. Create a half square knot, then take the left cord and put it over the two center cords and under the right cord. Take the right cord and draw it under the center cords, up through the loop made by the left cord. These knots will lie flat.

7. 

   Work square knots until the hanger is the desired length.

   Repeat the same pattern of knots and beads on all four sections. Alternate half square knot and square knot sections until the work reaches about 22 inches, measured from the top of the metal ring.

8. 

   Square knots create a web to hold the plant.

   Leaving 3 inches of cord unknotted, tie one square knot using two cords from one knotting group and two from another. Leave another 3 inches unknotted on all sections and bring all the cords together. Cut another 12-inch length of cord and make a 2-inch wrap, repeating the instructions in Step 3.

9. 

   Hemp frays easily.

   Measure 3 or 4 inches below the wrap and cut off the cords evenly. Hemp will unravel a bit to create a feathered look. Place your plant in the holder created by the single knots just above the final wrap, and hang your plant by the metal ring.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure the holes in the beads are large enough to fit over two strands of cord.

• Exercise your creativity in varying knots and beads on the four strands.

• The actual length of cord needed will vary according to tightness of type of knots. It is better to be too generous with your length than too short.

• Measure carefully as you work all four sections to be sure work is even.

References

• "Macrame for the Nineties"; Lois Blazsanyik; 1993

Resources

• Olga's Macrame Hobby Site: Macrame basic knots