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Three Knotty Plant Hangers

By Fanny Zedenius and Photos Kim Lightbody
Published on October 1, 2019
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These projects use a variety of knots you may already know. If not, however, diagrams are provided. A “sennit” is a row of the same type of knot.

Candy Cane Plant Hanger

Dip dyeing plant hangers is easy and looks great. This 43-1/2-inch-long plant hanger has a loop at the top made out of rope, which is perfect if you don’t have any metal or wooden rings.

Tools and Materials

  • Pink fabric dye
  • Hair brush
  • 3/4-to-1-inch-diameter wooden beads with 1/4-to-3/8-inch holes (4)
  • Twined 3/16-inch cotton rope (46 yards, cut as directed below)

Cut list:

  • 3-3/4 yards (4 cords, filler)
  • 6-5/8 yards (2 cords, working)
  • 8-1/8 yards (1 cord, for the top loop)
  • 9-1/2 yards (1 cord, for the top loop and the wrap knot)

Knots:

  • Square knot (SK)
  • Right-twisting half square knot (RTHSK)
  • Alternating square knot (ASK)
  • 4-ply crown knot (4-CK)
  • Wrap knot (WK)

Step 1: Take up the four 3-3/4-yard cords and the two 6-5/8-yard cords (see Cut List above) and lay them on the floor parallel to each other, with the middle point of each cord aligned. These cords will be used as filler cords in the top loop. Take the two remaining cords and place them on either side of the others, so both of them have one end aligned with the top end of the 6-5/8-yard-long cords. These will be used as the working cords for the loop.

Step 2: Use the longer end of each working cord, which is not aligned with the other cords, to tie 11 SKs to make a sennit at the center of the bundle of filler cords. Make sure you use the long ends of the working cords, and that the other ends remain aligned with the top ends of the 6-5/8-yard filler cords.

Step 3: Bend the sennit into a loop. Use the long end of the working cords to tie a spiral of RTHSK around all the other cords. The spiral should be about 2-3/8 inches long, or about 10 to 15 half square knots.

Step 4: Divide the cords into four bundles, each containing two long cords and two short cords. Begin by tying a sennit of 15 SKs around each bundle with the long cords.

Step 5: Drop about 4 inches and tie a SK in each of the bundles of cord. Thread a bead onto the two filler cords of each bundle, and then tie another SK underneath the bead.

Step 6: Under each SK, tie a sennit of RTHSK, each about 5-1/8 inches long, or 20 to 24 half square knots.

Step 7: To make the net, tie two rows of ASK, alternating the filler cords and working cords. Place the knots, leaving about 2-3/8 to 2-3/4 inches of space above and below them.

Step 8: To tie the cords together at the base, make a 4-CK, using the four sets of cords as working cords as shown in the illustration (at right). Place your fist on a table with the tail of the plant hanger held upside down, and lay the cords down to make it easier to work the crown knot. Place the crown knot about 2-3/8 to 2-3/4 inches from the square knots above it. Tie 5 to 6 rounds of the crown knot.

Step 9: Take the longest remaining cord and tie a 2-to-2-3/8-inch-long WK around all the other cords

Step 10: The plant hanger is now finished, and it’s time to dip dye! Follow the directions on the dye package to make the dip dye, then place just the tail of the plant hanger in the dye and allow it to soak up as much color as you want. If you want frayed ends, fray and brush them before you dip, or the color won’t soak through the thickness of the cords.

Honeybee Plant Hanger

This 47-1/4-inch-long plant hanger gets its name from the picot square knots combined with the yellow rope, which makes me think of insect wings. Striped wooden beads would emphasize the honeybee look. You can also use alternating square knots instead of picot square knots for a different effect.

Tools and Materials

  • Hairbrush
  • Crochet hook or tapestry needle
  • 3/4-to-1-inch-diameter wooden beads with 1/4-to-3/8-inch holes (8)
  • 1-1/2-to-2-inch-diameter wooden or metal ring (1)
  • Twined 1/8-inch cotton rope (41-5/8 yards, cut as directed below)

Cut list:

  • 3-1/4 yards (4 cords, filler)
  • 6-5/8 yards (3 cords, working)
  • 8-3/4 yards (1 cord, for the wrap knots)

Knots:

  • Overhand knot (OK)
  • Wrap knot (WK)
  • Square knot (SK)
  • Picot square knot (PSK)
  • Josephine knot (JK)
  • 4-ply crown knot (4-CK)

Step 1a: Pair a 3-1/4-yard cord with a 6-5/8-yard cord (see Cut List above). Pass them through the ring, folding both in the middle, and then bundle the 4 cords together with an OK to keep them from falling out or moving in the ring. Repeat with all but one 3-1/4-yard filler cord and the extra-long 8-3/4-yard cord. Pass the last 3-1/4-yard filler cord and the extra-long 8 3/4-yard cord through the ring and fold both in the middle. Bundle both ends of the filler cord with one end of the extra-long cord using an OK, and leave the other long end loose.

Step 1b: Using the loose extra-long cord, make a 1-1/2-to-2-inch-long WK just underneath the ring, gathering all the other cords together.

Step 2: Untie the OK with only three ends, and add in the cord you used to make the WK. Use both long cords to tie a sennit of 17 SKs. Untie the other overhand knots one at a time, and tie 17 SKs with each set of cords.

Step 3: Tie two PSKs. Thread the filler cords through a bead (you might need the help of a crochet hook or tapestry needle), then tie two more PSKs under the bead. Repeat for the other three sets of cords.

Step 4: Tie another sennit of six SKs. Repeat for the other three sets of cords.

Step 5: Tie three PSKs. Thread the filler cords through a bead, then tie three more PSKs under the bead. Repeat for the other three sets of cords.

Step 6: Tie another sennit of nine SKs. Repeat for the other three sets of cords.

Step 7: Take a filler cord and a working cord from two sennits and tie a JK, placed about 4 inches from the sennits above. Tie three more JKs to finish the net.

Step 8: To tie the cords together, make a 4-CK, using the four sets of cords as working cords, as shown in the illustration. Place your fist on a table with the tail of the plant hanger held upside down, and lay the cords down to make it easier to work the crown knot. Place the crown knot about 4 inches from the JKs above it. Tie 5 to 6 rounds of the crown knot.

Step 9: Take the longest remaining cord and tie a 1-1/2-to-2-inch-long WK around all other cords.

Step 10: Fray all the ends, and use a brush to give the tail more volume.

Flora Plant Hanger

This 55 1/8-inch double plant hanger is the perfect way to bring more plants into your home. It’s made the same way as a single plant hanger, but after the crown knot, you repeat the knotting as though you’re making another plant hanger.

Tools and Materials

  • Crochet hook or tapestry needle
  • 1-1/2-to-2-inch-diameter wooden ring (1)
  • 3/4-to-1-inch-diameter wooden beads with 1/4-to-3/8-inch holes (8)
  • Twined 1/8-inch cotton rope (49-1/2 yards, cut as directed below)

Cut list:

  • 4-3/8 yards (4 cords, filler)
  • 7-1/2 yards (3 cords, working)
  • 8-3/4 yards (1 cord, for wrap knots)

Knots:

  • Overhand knot (OK)
  • Wrap knot (WK)
  • Right-twisting half square knot (RTHSK)
  • Square knot (SK)
  • Alternating square knot (ASK)
  • 4-ply crown knot (4-CK)

Step 1a: Pair a 4-3/8-yard cord with a 7-1/2-yard cord (see Cut List above). Pass them through the ring, folding both in the middle, then bundle the four cords together with an OK to keep them from falling out or moving in the ring. Repeat with all but one 4-3/8-yard filler cord and the extra-long 8-3/4-yard cord. Pass the last 4-3/8-yard filler cord and the extra-long 8-3/4-yard cord through the ring and fold both in the middle. Bundle both ends of the filler cord with one end of the extra-long cord using an OK, and leave the other long end loose.

Step 1b: Using the loose extra-long cord, make a 1-1/8-to-1-1/2-inch-long WK just underneath the ring, gathering all the other cords together.

Step 2: Untie the OK with only three ends, and then use both long cords to tie RTHSKs, forming a 7-inch spiral.

Step 3: Tie a SK 1-1/2 inches under the spiral.

Step 4: Pass the two filler cords through a bead (you might need to use a crochet hook or tapestry needle). Tie another SK with the working cords, placing it underneath the bead.

Step 5: Leave a gap of 1-1/2 inches, and then tie a 3-1/8-inch spiral using RTHSKs.

Step 6: Untie the other OKs and repeat steps 1B through 5 for the other three sets of cords in turn.

Step 7: Beginning 2-3/8 inches under the spirals, tie a row of ASKs using the filler cords from adjacent sets of cords. When you’re done, the four sets will be tied together in a net-like shape. Under each ASK, tie two more SKs, making three in a row.

Step 8: Take the four separate sets of cords (four cords in each set) and tie them together with an OK to make the 4-CK easier.

Step 9: Tie three rounds of the crown knot, beginning 2-3/8 inches below the last ASK. Place your fist on a table with the tail of the plant hanger held upside down, and lay the cords down to make it easier to work the crown knot.

Step 10: Begin the second part of the plant hanger by untying one set of cords and tying a 3-1/8-inch spiral of RTHSK under the crown knot, using the long cords as working cords.

Step 11: Tie a SK 1-1/2 inches below the spiral. Pass the filler cords through a bead, and tie another SK under it.

Step 12: Beginning 1-1/2 inches below the SK, tie another 3-1/8-inch spiral of RTHSK.

Step 13: Repeat Steps 10 through 12 for the other three sets of cords.

Step 14: Tie a row of ASKs using the filler cords from adjacent sets of cords, as you did in Step 7, but beginning 3-1/8 inches below the spiral to allow for a slightly larger pot. Tie three more SKs under each alternating square knot, making four in a row.

Step 15: Separate each set of cords (four cords in each set) and tie them together with OKs to make the crown knot easier. Tie five rounds of the crown knot, beginning 2-3/8 inches below the ASKs.

Step 16: Take the longest cord remaining and make a 2-inch-long WK under the crown knot. Cut the cords to the same length, if you wish, and fray the ends.


Fanny Zedenius is a Swedish designer who has revitalized the art of macramé. These projects have been excerpted with permission from her book Macramé: The craft of creative knotting for your home (Quadrille). To see more craft projects, join the Capper’s Farmer DIY Group on Facebook — and post photos of your own projects!