Macrame Plant Hanger
I learned how to macrame not too long after my daughter was born. I used to make plain beaded jewelry in junior high and high school using string or fishing line but didn’t discover this method of decorative knotting till in the course of shopping at a local bead store, that a friend of mine owned, I observed a necklace she was making to be sold in her shop. I asked her to show me a couple of basic knots. I then bought some hemp twine and went home to make some jewelry.
I made several pieces for both myself and Brian, my husband. I make necklaces, anklets and bracelets combined with various beads when I was first learning. This twine can also be used around the house being that I utilized it as clothesline for along time. The 3mm rope is rated at 170 lb. test.
After exploring this technique using a .8 mm and 1.0 mm twine, I experimented with 2mm and 3mm twine. I had seen necklaces made with this thickness of twine but they seemed too bulky. I began to wonder what other things I could make with this twine using the macrame technique. One day at my friends shop, I noticed a plant hanger made using macrame but with a different kind of twine. I noticed the beauty and sturdiness of the items and decided to to try to make one to hang my plants up in my window.
I wrestled for a long time with what to use for the top hanger. I finally decided upon using a brass ring. I found multiple sizes in the local craft section of a big box retail outfit. I made my first one concentrating more on how to make the plant hanger itself. I eventually experimented and decided that the whole piece would look much better if I wrapped the brass ring with the hemp twine. It gives the plant hanger a nice, finished, even look. I liked them so much I asked if my friend would accept them as consignment in her store. I sold several of them and mostly used the proceeds to buy more supplies of beads and twine.
After you complete this you need to cut 8 very long pieces of twine. Feed them through the hole in the ring to the middle of the cord making sure that each end of each string meets the other. Use an Alpine coil knot to bind the strings together near the top closest to the ring. Then divide the stings into four groups of four cords. Use the half knot and the square knot making different patterns as you go. Experiment to see what you like best. When you get to your desired length it is helpful to have ready a lightweight round object to simulate the plant circumference in order to make the bottom basket holder. Take two strings from two neighboring groups of strands. Join them together about four to six inches below the stopping part of the your macrame chains using the square knot until all the strands are connected to each other. Repeat again joining two strings from two neighboring strands 3-4 inches below the previous square knot until all the strands are connected to each other. When you have reach the desired depth of your basket holder, join the strings together and bind them tight with another Alpine coil knot. My friend no longer owns that particular store (nor do the current owners offer consignment currently) but a new outfit has just started business and they have three plant hangers handmade by me for sale in their store. I have three more in progress at the present time. Some other macrame plant hanger instructions are here.
Not only have I made plant hangers but I have put the art of macrame to use with other crafts as well. I made a guitar strap for my husband, Brian, years ago where I took a burlap strap and covered it with patchwork material of an old tie and corduroy using macrame for each end of the strap. I have made baby teethers with it recycling old baby toys or using non-toxic wooden beads as a rattle. Keychains are a favoite of mine to make with macrame because they can be made quickly and I can get really creative in decorating them with beads. I am currently working on making a pattern for a Kleen Kantean carrier with shoulder strap.
If you found this post helpful in your crafting endeavors, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you if you used these instructions to make your own plant hangers.
Filed under crafts, photography | Comments (24)24 Responses to “Macrame Plant Hanger”
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The Kept Woman
Posted: Feb 11th, 2008 at 9:06 pm1I took a one day macrame class when I was like 9 or 10. I made this owl wall-hanging (rings for eyes, and then beads in the middle…very cool…I think). Anyway, my parents STILL have this thing hanging in their basement!
Love your hanger!!!
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dawn
Posted: Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:55 pm2I think my mom might still have her owl macrame wall hanging. I remember it having a somewhat large nose which stuck out from the rest of the piece. The bottom of it had yarn wrapped around a stick to make it look as if it was sitting on a branch. It was made with white macrame yarn which had a scratchy, rough texture.
My mom and I are going to re-do one of my grandmother’s macrame plant hangers with a softer yarn next time she visits. If my mom can find her owl somewhere I will definitely snap a photo and make a post about it.
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Sophia
Posted: Apr 5th, 2008 at 8:07 pm3I really love it! I am learning to macrame in school and I really enjoy it! Great job on plant hanger!
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dawn
Posted: Apr 7th, 2008 at 12:56 pm4Good luck Sophie with your crafting endeavors. Macrame is a lot of fun!
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Amanda
Posted: Oct 1st, 2008 at 9:08 pm5I love the look of the twine plant hangers theres so many differnt designs and patterns wooden beads glass beads, hooks and rings, theres one for everyone.
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dawn
Posted: Oct 1st, 2008 at 9:58 pm6There are a lot of different ways these plant hangers can be made. Switching the fabric used (i.e. soft yarn vs. rough twine) can really change both the look and feel of the project. Thanks for your comment, Amanda.
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Hannah
Posted: Mar 25th, 2009 at 11:59 am7Thanks for the post and the link to where you had your instructions. I’m new to this, it looks fun.
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dawn
Posted: Mar 26th, 2009 at 11:46 am8Thanks Hannah. Macrame is a lot of fun.
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Lisa
Posted: Mar 28th, 2009 at 1:42 pm9Thanks for your website. I have been searching for more of these jute macrame plant holders in stores to match the rest of the ones I already have and I am having a very hard time. So being the crafty person I am (knitter, crochetter), I decided to give macrame a go and found your website in the process. Are there any good books you can recommend for beginners? I am going to try making your plant holder and I appreciate all the links you added in the directions. Thanks again and wish me luck!
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dawn
Posted: Mar 29th, 2009 at 11:51 am10Lisa: Well most of the macrame books detailing plant hangers are from the ’70′s. Some can be found in thrift stores or garage sales and others still print can be found through Amazon. There are some more up-to-date books from the ’90′s which have some basic macrame instructions but these are mostly for beading and jewelry making. You can always try your local library as well. Good luck.
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patricia
Posted: Apr 29th, 2009 at 10:49 am11Does anyone know how to start the plant hanger by wrapping a cord around all the cords before separating them into four groups I can not remember how to start that part please if anyone has info on this it sure would be appreciated. Thank you.
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dawn
Posted: Apr 29th, 2009 at 11:01 am12Patricia: I think what you are looking for is the Alpine coil. When you have your choice of hanger at the top in place, you begin an alpine coil by wrapping a separate 1′ – 1 1/2′ piece of hemp twine around all the strings. When you finish the alpine coil you can then separate the 16 individual strands into four groups of four strings each.
Please refer to the link in the post above for detailed instructions on how to make an alpine coil. -
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bryan novak
Posted: Aug 26th, 2009 at 4:29 pm14Hi my name is Bryan Novak and I was wondering if you could make me a guitar strap like willie nelsons. It is made doing macrame and I would really like one. Of you could help me I would really appreciate it.
Thanks
Bryan Novak -
Spike
Posted: Sep 13th, 2009 at 2:19 pm15Where can I get a book about how to make a macrami?
Thanks
Spike
South Africa -
Ronda Cornett
Posted: Sep 26th, 2009 at 7:34 am16I’m trying to find books on macrame hangers and the cord. I’m not having much luck. Ihaven’t had any luck on e-bay or I can’t find any stores that carry them or the cord.
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Louise Patterson
Posted: Sep 26th, 2009 at 1:50 pm17So glad to have found your link on here. I used to macrame in the 70′s and did just about everything and loved it so much.
Now am older, of course, and have forgotten some of the knots, etc. I was desperately for plant hanger directions and have found yours. Thank you so much!!!
Haven’t tried it yet but will in a few hours.
Thanks so much for all your information.
I live in Aylesford, Nova Scotia, CanadaTake care, and thanks for such a wonderful site.
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linda pope
Posted: Jan 21st, 2010 at 9:55 am18I have a very large box of assorted new macrame cord and ceramic beads.that i really need to sell very cheap i promise # 863 709 0708
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Diane Waye
Posted: Feb 2nd, 2010 at 11:43 am19If you could e-mail your macrame patterns
with instructions, I’d appreciate them -
Virginia Brodigan
Posted: Mar 28th, 2010 at 6:22 pm20Dawn I so enjoyed your website and comments as to how one project encouraged another. Because that’s exactly how ideas come to me. I began twiling short time ago wondered how I would use it – so much fun decorating boxes ie round raisin boxes that I cover w/contact paper and apply twilling designs – plan to use as gifts filled w/cookies & candy – also realised it makes interesting designs on gift boxes instead of the common ribbon. What got my attention in your comments is that you also make jewlery. I have a lot of pretty loose beads some turquoise which I bought w/the idea of making necklaces. Can you give me some ideas to get my imagination started as I’ve never tried jewlery but know it would be a fun project. I’m 85 w/a very bad back condition which forces me to sit most of the time and I’m looking for fun projects. I also do silk flr. arranging but that becomes expensive and there are just so many one can use. I know in spite of the age difference we would be friends if we knew one another as that was the feeling I got from reading your comments and I’d love a reply to this email.
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MrB
Posted: May 7th, 2010 at 8:07 pm21So, 16 cords through the ring half way, then make sure the ends meet. You’ve essentially folded them over and now have 32 cords. Tough to do 4 groups of 4 with 32. Any suggestions?
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dawn
Posted: May 8th, 2010 at 9:41 am22OOOPS!
Thanks for pointing out my mistake MrB. That should have read “cut 8 very long pieces”. It is possible to do this with more strings; the final product will just be thicker.
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Bridgit
Posted: Jun 30th, 2010 at 2:26 pm23Hey there! We are going to try to do some macrame this year in our homeschooling! I was looking for a site with the instructions for a simple plant holder, and have been inspired!
Thanks,
Bridgit -
dawn
Posted: Jun 30th, 2010 at 6:30 pm24As a homeschooling mom, I fully recommend researching different knotting techniques online to teach to your children. They are a very important technique to know and can be used for lots of things. I have linked to a few that I used in the making of my plant hanger but there are lots more out there. Boy scout handbooks (which can be found at thrift stores) is a good place to start if you want something handy in book form to refer to while doing your projects but there are lots of internet resources which can be printed out. I would love to see what you end up making. And most importantly- Have fun!
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