5 min read
Small apartments need plants that do not take up shelf or floor space. A macrame plant hanger solves that problem by lifting a pot into the air, where it gets light and stays out of the way. Wooden rings give the hanger a clean, modern look and make it easy to hang from a hook. This project uses four basic knots, so it suits a beginner who has never tied macrame before. You will learn to measure cord, tie the knots, and shape a hanger that holds a small pot securely. One hanger takes about an hour, and the finished piece looks far more expensive than its materials.
Materials and Measuring the Cord
Use 3 mm cotton macrame cord for plant hangers. It is strong, soft on the hands, and easy to untie if you make a mistake. You will need a wooden ring of 6 to 8 cm diameter, a measuring tape, scissors, and a small pot to test the fit. Cut eight cords, each 3 meters long. That sounds long, but knots use up a surprising amount of cord, and a longer cord is easier to work with than a short one. Fold each cord in half and attach it to the wooden ring with a lark’s head knot. Pull the loop through the ring, then pull the cord ends through the loop and tighten. Repeat for all eight cords, so you have sixteen strands hanging from the ring. Group the strands into four groups of four. The ring is the top of the hanger, and the pot will sit in a net of knots below it. Keep the cords untangled by working on a flat table or hanging the ring from a hook at eye level.
The Four Knots You Need
Macrame plant hangers use four knots, and each one is simple. The square knot is the workhorse. Take the left cord over the two middle cords and under the right cord, then take the right cord under the middle cords and through the loop on the left. Pull to tighten, then repeat in mirror image to complete the knot. A finished square knot has a flat, braided look. The spiral knot is a half square knot repeated on the same side, which makes the cords twist into a spiral. Use spiral knots for decorative sections between the pot and the ring. The gathering knot wraps a short cord around all the strands to form a neat bundle. Lay a short cord alongside the bundle, wrap it around several times, and tuck the end through the loop to lock it. The lark’s head knot, used to attach cords to the ring, completes the set. Practice each knot on scrap cord before you start the hanger. Tie ten square knots in a row and check that they are even. Even knots make a hanger that hangs straight and holds its shape.
Knotting the Net Around the Pot
Start knotting about 20 cm below the ring. Tie a row of square knots, one per group of four cords. This row forms the top of the net. About 10 cm below that row, tie the next row, pairing cords from neighboring groups. This staggered pairing is what creates the net shape. Alternate pairing rows every 10 cm until the net is tall enough for your pot. Test the fit often by slipping the pot into the net. The pot should sit with its rim just above the last row of knots. If the net is too loose, the pot will slide through. If it is too tight, the pot will not fit. Adjust by moving the knot rows closer together or further apart. For a small pot, three rows of knots are usually enough. Keep the tension even across all groups so the pot hangs level. When the net fits, gather all sixteen cords below the pot and tie a gathering knot to form the base. Trim the cord ends below the gathering knot to an even length, leaving about 15 cm of fringe. Comb the fringe with a fine comb for a soft finish.
Hanging, Watering, and Care
Hang the finished hanger from a ceiling hook rated for the weight of the pot, soil, and water. A small potted plant can weigh 2 to 3 kg when freshly watered, so use a proper hook, not an adhesive strip. Hang the plant where it gets the light it needs, usually near a bright window but out of direct afternoon sun. Check the hanger weekly for wear, especially at the ring and the gathering knot. Cotton cord weakens when it stays damp, so water the plant over a sink and let it drain before you hang it back up. Use a pot with a saucer or a cachepot so water does not drip onto the floor. A well-made hanger lasts for years.
A macrame plant hanger with a wooden ring is a small project with a big payoff. Four knots, one ring, and an hour of work turn an empty corner into a home for a plant. Hang one by a window and enjoy the green at eye level.