Macramé plant hangers have made a massive comeback in home decor, and it is easy to see why — they add instant bohemian warmth and texture to any room, they are inexpensive to make, and they work with plants of almost any size. Best of all, you only need to learn two knots to make a complete plant hanger. This tutorial takes you through every step in plain, simple language. For more ideas to transform your living spaces with handmade pieces, browse our Home Decor category.
What is Macramé?
Macramé is the art of knotting cord or rope to create decorative and functional textiles. It has roots in 13th-century Arabic weaving traditions and became enormously popular in the 1970s before its current revival. Unlike weaving or knitting, macramé requires no special looms or needles — just cord, your hands, and patience. A basic plant hanger uses only the square knot and the gathering knot, both of which you will learn in this tutorial.
Before you buy your materials, use our Craft Cost Calculator to budget your project — it is particularly useful if you plan to make several hangers as gifts or to sell.
What You Will Need
- 5 mm natural cotton macramé cord — approximately 20 metres (65 feet)
- A wooden dowel, thick branch, or curtain rod to hang your work from while knotting
- Scissors
- A tape measure
- A pot with a diameter of 10–15 cm (4–6 inches)
- Optional: wooden beads with holes large enough for your cord
- Optional: a comb or stiff brush for fringing the tassel
Project Info
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Time: 1.5–2 hours
- Cost: $8–$12
- Knots used: Square knot, Gathering knot
Understanding Your Measurements
Macramé patterns often list cord lengths in both metric and imperial. If you need to convert between metres, feet, centimetres, and inches, our Measurement Converter tool does this instantly — just enter your value and it gives you all conversions at once.
Step 1: Cut Your Cord
Cut 8 lengths of macramé cord, each exactly 200 cm (approximately 6 feet 7 inches) long. Cut them as evenly as possible — a consistent length makes your finished hanger look neat and symmetrical. You will also need one additional piece approximately 60 cm (24 inches) long for the gathering knots. Lay all your cut pieces flat and check they are even before proceeding.
Step 2: Create the Hanging Loop
Fold all 8 long cords in half so you have 16 working strands hanging down from the fold point. Hold or hang them together at the fold. Take your shorter 60 cm piece and create a gathering knot around all 16 strands, about 5 cm (2 inches) below the fold: lay one end of the short cord along the bundle pointing upward, wrap the cord tightly around all the strands 8–10 times, then thread the working end of the cord through the loop formed at the top and pull firmly. Trim both ends close to the wrapping. This gathering knot creates both your hanging loop (the folded section above) and the anchor for your knot work below.
Step 3: Divide into Working Groups
Separate your 16 strands into 4 groups of 4 strands each. Hang your dowel at a comfortable working height — eye level or slightly above is ideal. Attach your macramé to the dowel via the hanging loop. Spread the 4 groups evenly along the dowel so you have clear space to work each group.
Step 4: Tie the First Square Knot Section
Working on one group at a time, tie 5 complete square knots starting approximately 10 cm (4 inches) below the gathering knot. Here is how to tie a square knot:
- The 2 outer strands of your group are the working strands. The 2 inner strands are the fillers — they stay passive throughout.
- Cross the right working strand over the filler strands, then pass the left working strand over the right, under the fillers, and up through the loop on the right. Pull both working strands evenly to tighten. This is the first half of the knot.
- Now reverse: cross the left working strand over the fillers, pass the right working strand over the left, under the fillers, and up through the loop on the left. Pull to tighten. This completes one full square knot.
Repeat 4 more times on this group (5 square knots total), then repeat the same process on each of the remaining 3 groups. You now have 4 columns of square knots.
Step 5: The Alternating Knot Section
Leave approximately 8 cm (3 inches) of bare cord below your square knot sections. Now re-group your strands: take 2 strands from one group and 2 strands from the adjacent group to form 4 new groups of 4. Tie 3 square knots on each new group. This alternating pattern creates a diamond net structure that cradles your plant pot securely.
Step 6: Add Beads (Optional)
For decorative detail, thread 1 or 2 wooden beads onto the filler strands of individual groups before tying each knot section. Secure beads with an overhand knot tied directly above and below each bead to stop them sliding. Beads look especially striking against natural undyed cotton cord.
Step 7: Final Gathering Knot
Place your pot in the net to check the fit. The final gathering knot should sit just below where the pot base rests in the net. Remove the pot, then bring all 16 strands together and tie a gathering knot exactly as you did at the top. Pull it very tight — this closing knot must bear the weight of the pot.
Step 8: Finish the Tassel
Trim all remaining cord ends to a uniform length of 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) to create a tassel. For a fluffy, boho-style tassel, unravel the fibres of each cord end with your fingers, then brush through the tassel with a stiff comb or pet brush. The result is a soft, full fringe.
Hanging and Care
Hang your plant hanger from a sturdy ceiling hook, a wall-mounted bracket, or a curtain rod. When watering, always remove the pot from the hanger, water it over a sink, allow it to drain fully, then replace it. Avoid leaving a dripping pot in the hanger, as prolonged moisture causes natural cotton to discolour and weaken over time.
More Macramé Ideas
Once you have mastered the plant hanger, try making a macramé wall hanging — the same two knots are used, but in a flat panel format. You can also explore our full range of Home Decor DIY projects, or use the Craft Project Planner to organise your next macramé project, track your material list, and estimate completion time.
Looking for a complementary craft? Our Decoupage Flower Pots tutorial pairs beautifully with a macramé hanger — pot the finished plant inside a decorated terracotta pot and display it in your macramé hanger for a completely handmade home decor piece.
