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 16 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 (2)Congratulations Kept Woman!
Congratulations and thanks to the Kept Woman for being the very first commenter on my brand new blog. You have won three lovely hemp-twine teethers which were personally handmade by me. Please email me with your details so I can send them to you. These three teethers were made using the twisted macrame knot and the decorations are small multicolored beads in the shape of farm animals and garden insects and keys.
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