DIY Macramé Plant Hanger

Dreaming of bringing that beautiful, bohemian texture into your home without sacrificing your budget? The macramé plant hanger is a timeless piece of functional decor, and it’s surprisingly easy to master—even if you’ve never tied a knot outside of your shoelaces! At HUBGH, we believe this project is the perfect entry point into fiber arts. Using just two simple knots, you can create a stunning, custom hanger that elevates your favorite plant while adding an organic, stylish focal point to any corner.
The Eco-Conscious Cord: Materials & Preparation
- The Cord (Budget-Friendly): You can use dedicated macramé cord (3mm or 4mm thick) or save money by repurposing thick cotton clothesline rope, jute twine, or braided hemp cord from the hardware store. Choose a natural color (cream, natural jute) for a boho look, or a bold color for a modern pop.
- The Structure: A small metal ring (or a sturdy wooden curtain ring/bracelet) for hanging.
- The Tools: Sharp scissors, tape measure, and a large clip or hook to hang the project while you work.
Cord Cutting Guide (For a medium-sized pot, 4-6 inches wide):
Cut four pieces of cord, each 10 feet (3 meters) long.
Simple Steps: Two Essential Knots
Step 1: The Gathering Knot (The Top Loop)
This knot secures all four cords together and creates the hanging loop.
- Find the Center: Line up all four long cords and fold them in half. Hook the folded end (where the center is) onto your working clip/hook. You now have eight working strands hanging down.
- Make the Loop: Take a separate small piece of cord (about 12 inches long). Create a small “U” shape with this small piece, laying it over your eight main cords, with the loop facing down.
- Wrap: Take the long end of the 12-inch cord and tightly wrap it around the bundle of eight cords and over the U-shaped loop. Wrap tightly and neatly, moving down about 1.5 inches.
- Secure: Feed the wrapping cord’s tail through the small U-loop you left at the bottom. Pull the top cord (the one sticking up from the initial wraps) firmly. This pulls the U-loop and the tail up and under the wraps, locking the knot invisibly. Trim the excess ends close to the wraps.
Step 2: The Square Knot Spiral (The Arm)
This decorative knot creates the hanging arms. We’ll work with four sections of four strands each.
- Separate: Divide your eight cords into four groups of two cords each. These are your four main arms.
- Tie the Spiral Knot: Focus on one arm (four strands total). The two center strands are your stationary cords. The two outer strands are your working cords.
- Take the left outer cord and cross it over the two center cords.
- Take the right outer cord and pass it under the left cord’s tail and up through the loop on the left side.
- Repeat this knot only on the left side (left cord over, right cord through) for about 15-20 repetitions. The knots will naturally begin to twist, creating a beautiful spiral effect. Repeat this process on all four arms, making them the same length.
Step 3: The Basket Base (The Pot Cradle)
This row of knots forms the net that holds the plant pot.
- Measure Down: Measure down about 8-10 inches (or the depth of your pot) from the bottom of your spiral knots. This is where you’ll create the basket.
- The Connecting Knot: Take the two cords from the left side of one arm and the two cords from the right side of the adjacent arm. Tie a simple Square Knot using this new group of four cords.
- Repeat: Continue this process, connecting the cords from adjacent arms around the entire circumference. You should end up with four new connecting knots that form a net.
Step 4: The Final Gathering Knot & Fringe
- Test Fit: Place your pot inside the basket net you just created. If it holds the pot securely, you’re ready for the final knot.
- Gather: Bring all eight working strands together directly beneath the base of the pot. Tie one final Gathering Knot (just like Step 1) to secure the bottom of the basket.
- Fringe: Trim the excess cord below the final knot to create a beautiful, uniform fringe (leaving 5-8 inches). Styling Tip: Untwist or brush out the ends of the cord for a soft, fluffy tassel.
Why You’ll Love This Project
Sustainability: By making it yourself, you control the materials, choosing biodegradable cotton or hemp, and you eliminate the plastic packaging that comes with commercial decor.
Affordability: Macramé cord is inexpensive, especially when compared to buying finished, hand-knotted pieces. This creates high-value decor for a small budget.
Creative Focus: This project uses repetition and simple handwork, making it wonderfully relaxing and rewarding. You end up with a unique, beautiful piece of sculptural art that brings life and nature indoors.
Hang your gorgeous new creation and enjoy the view! Try this project and tag HUBGH to share your creation!