Macramé for beginners: three knots and a plant hanger

Macramé is knots, not needles. Three of them will build most plant hangers and wall pieces you've seen.

Cord

Start with 4mm single-twist cotton. It's forgiving and unpicks easily. Cut generously: a good rule is 4 to 5 times the finished length per cord, doubled over.

The three knots

1. Square knot: over four cords. Left cord over the two middle, under the right; right cord under the middles, up through the loop. Then mirror it. Alternate left and right and you get a flat braid.
2. Spiral (half) knot: do only the first half of the square knot every time. It twists on its own into a spiral.
3. Gathering (wrapping) knot: wraps a bundle of cords tightly at the top or bottom. Lay a loop, wrap downwards, thread the tail through, pull to hide.

A simple plant hanger

1. Cut 8 cords at 3m. Fold in half over a wooden ring and secure with a gathering knot.
2. Split into 4 groups of 4. Work 10cm of spiral knots on each.
3. Leave 8cm gap, then work 3 square knots on each group.
4. Leave 6cm, then re-group: take two cords from neighbouring groups and tie a square knot, all the way round. This makes the basket net.
5. Repeat once more 5cm down.
6. Gather everything with a wrapping knot, trim the tassel, comb it out.

Tips

• Tie knots against a hook or door handle so you can pull evenly.
• Keep knots the same tightness; consistency matters more than tightness.
• Pot goes in, plant follows. Trailing plants look best.

Photograph it with the plant in and share.

#beginner #guide #knots #macrame #plant-hanger