How To Make A Simple Macrame Plant Hanger (Easy Tutorial!)

Discover the art of creating stunning macrame plant hangers with our easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide. Perfect for both newbies and seasoned crafters alike, this comprehensive tutorial will have you hanging your favorite plants in no time.

Want to remember this? Post this Macrame Plant Hanger tutorial to your favorite DIY Pinterest board!

When crafting a simple macrame plant hanger, there’s an undeniable joy that comes from creating something functional and aesthetically pleasing. This project not only allows you to practice fundamental macrame knots but also yields a practical plant holder that adds a touch of bohemian flair to your space while elevating your plants off the window ledge. A win-win!

For those new to macrame, this straightforward project serves as an excellent introduction to the world of knotting and cord manipulation. After mastering this basic design, you can progress to more complex wall hangings and other creative endeavors. Before diving in, it’s essential to have a solid grasp of fundamental knots such as the square knot, spiral knot (or half-square knot), and wrapping knot (also known as the gathering knot).

If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to get started, I’ve created a beginner-friendly macrame tutorial that covers all the basic knots, including the lark’s head knot, overhand knot, and double half hitch knot. Additionally, don’t forget to sign up below for my complimentary printable PDF knot guide, which will serve as a valuable reference while working on your projects!

In my accompanying video, I walk you through the thought process behind this design and share tips on how to customize it to make it uniquely yours. You’ll also learn about different ways to modify this pattern, such as incorporating wooden beads in various sizes and colors or experimenting with distinct cotton cord hues. The beauty of a DIY macrame plant hanger lies in its adaptability.

Once you’ve mastered the fundamental technique, you can effortlessly transform it by adding unique elements, playing with pot sizes, or exploring different color combinations.

Cord lengths and customizing

When it comes to customizing this pattern and creating your own simple macrame plant hanger designs, one of the biggest hurdles people face is figuring out the correct cord lengths. To overcome this challenge, I like to start by explaining my process for coming up with a new macrame plant hanger pattern. Rather than using a tape measure, I find it easier to measure cord lengths using arm spans. To do this, simply hold a piece of cord at arm’s length and measure the distance between your hands.

For me, 2.5 arm lengths works well for a basic macrame plant hanger using 4 mm cord, which results in around 168 inches of cord. Of course, everyone has a slightly different arm span, so you’ll want to adjust the number of arm lengths based on your own measurements to achieve around 160-170 inches of cord. For me, that’s roughly 2.5 to 3 arm spans. Now, if you’re wondering how I came up with the 150-inch starting cords listed in the supply list below, it’s actually quite simple.

I made the plant hanger using 2.5 arm lengths of cord and then measured the shortest piece of waste cord at the end. Since we folded our cords in half at the beginning, I doubled that measurement and subtracted it from the starting length to come up with 150 inches. If you just want to make the plant hanger exactly like mine, you can start with the 150-inch lengths and have a little less waste cord.

However, if you’re looking to experiment with the design and there’s a chance you might space your knots out more or add more knots, I would recommend starting with 2.5 to 3 arm spans just in case. It’s always better to start off with a little too much cord so you don’t run out if you want to play around with the design. For simple plant hangers like this, the arm length estimating method works just fine.

But once you start making more complex designs, you’ll want to be a little more precise with your estimations. When you’re ready to take your macrame skills to the next level and start creating your own patterns and projects, be sure to check out my Macrame Project Planning Bundle.

For an awesome 40% discount, grab all three of these super helpful macrame project planning tools: a Printable Macrame Project Planner with 41 macrame-specific planning pages, a Macrame Cord Size Calculator for easily figuring out cord lengths if you want to change the cord size for macrame patterns, and a Macrame Cord Length Estimator for accurately estimating cord lengths ahead of time for your designs.

Macrame Cord and Supplies

For this plant hanger, I opted for a 4 mm cotton rope from Niroma Studio. This particular rope features a 3-ply construction and a natural color. When it comes to crafting plant hangers, I highly recommend employing a plied rope like this one, as it provides exceptional results. It’s also crucial to note that if you decide to switch to a different type of cord, such as braided or single strand string, the measurements outlined in the supply list below will no longer be applicable.

Supply List

To complete this project, you’ll need the following materials: four meters of three-ply twisted cotton rope, with eight pieces measuring 381 centimeters in length and two shorter pieces at 76 centimeters. You’ll also require sharp scissors for trimming, a tape measure to gauge your work, and a plant pot that fits snugly within the size range of 13-18 centimeters in width and height.

Step 1: Making the hanging loop

To begin, create the 4-strand braided hanging loop by first folding the cords in half and finding their center point. Measure 3 inches on either side of the center and mark the starting point for the braid. Secure the cords with a piece of string or tape to prevent them from moving around. Divide the cords into four equal sections, each containing two strands. Number them mentally as 1, 2, 3, and 4, working from left to right.

The braiding pattern is simple: 4 over 3, then 2 over 1, followed by 2 over 3. Alternatively, you can think of it as ‘right over left’ for the outer sections, ‘left over right’ for the inner sections, and repeat this process. Continue braiding until your desired length is reached, approximately 6 inches in this case. Secure the braid with another piece of string or tape at its base to prevent it from coming undone.

Next, transfer the braided loop to a hanging rack, ensuring that the ends are aligned. Take one of the longer cords and tie a wrapping knot around the base of the braid, applying about 5 wraps. Trim the excess cord and tuck the ends underneath the wraps using scissors. Alternatively, you can start with a wooden ring instead of creating a wrapped loop. Simply thread the cords through the ring evenly and secure them with a wrapping knot at the base.

Step 2: Plant hanger arms

To create the cord structure, divide it into four equal sections, each containing four cords. Begin by forming a square knot section at the top, where you’ll tie 10 square knots. Next, move the two center cords from the inside to the outside, leaving about an inch or two of space. This marks the beginning of the spiral knot section, which will feature 19 spiral half-knots (or 20 full spiral knots) spaced evenly below the initial square knot.

Repeat this process by switching the cords back and moving the same amount of space, then tying another 10 square knots. Complete this pattern for all four sections, ensuring uniformity throughout the plant hanger’s design.

Step 3: Making the basket

To form the base of your plant hanger, take two adjacent arms and work with their left and right cords. Create two square knots, about 2.5 inches down from the previous row of knots, using the left cords of one arm and the right cords of the other. Repeat this process around the entire structure until all the arms are securely connected.

Before proceeding, ensure your plant pot fits comfortably within the created space by performing a test fit.

If necessary, adjust the spacing by loosening the square knots and retying them to accommodate a larger or smaller pot. Once you’re satisfied with the positioning, proceed to the final stage of assembly.

Use the remaining 30-inch length of cord to create a wrapping knot, approximately 5 inches below the last row of square knots. This will serve as the concluding knot for your plant hanger. Trim any excess cord and tuck in the ends to complete the design.

Step 4: Finishing up

To complete the process, trim the remaining cord to your desired length, leaving a tassel that’s roughly 5 inches long or adjust it according to your personal preference. Once you’ve achieved the desired length, you can proceed to untwist the cord ends if you prefer a more polished finish, or opt to leave them as they are for a more rustic look.

Done!

As we wrap up this macrame plant hanger pattern, I hope it’s inspired you to get creative and give making one a try! If you do decide to take the leap and craft your own unique piece, I’d absolutely love to see what you come up with. Please share a photo of your masterpiece over on Instagram and be sure to tag me @marchingnorth so I can enjoy all the amazing creations you’re working on!