Modern Macramé in Halloween Hues
Rope knots aren’t so square with a design that updates the old spider-plant hanger. Here’s how to do it yourself in orange and black
Don’t be scared! It’s just macramé. This festive update on the hanging macramé planter will put a twist on your Halloween decor that will last well past October 31.
1. Using the orange paint and paintbrush, paint an irregular curved shape around the bottom half of the pot. With the same orange paint, paint two coats on all four wooden beads. Allow everything to dry.
2. Fold the eight 12.8-ft.-long (3.9-m-long) strands evenly in half and thread them through the O-ring to the halfway point of the cord.
3. Using one of the 24-in. (60-cm) pieces of black cord, secure the bunch of cords with a wrapped knot.
4. Gather a group of four strands (you will have four groups of four strands) and tie a square knot, with one strand on either side of two middle strands.
5. Continue tying square knots for 6 in. (15 cm).
6. Repeat with all four groups.
7. Thread one of the beads through the inner two strands of each group of four cords.
8. Leave a 15.75-in. (40-cm) length of cord between the square knot and the wooden bead, and secure with a square knot. Continue tying square knots under the bead for 6 in. (15 cm).
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with the remaining three groups.
10. To begin making the basket that will hold the terra-cotta pot, divide a group of four strands in half and join them with two strands from the group closest to them. Leave 2.4 in. (6 cm) from the section of square knots and tie the four strands with a square knot. The basket will be made using alternating square knots. It’s up to you which direction you start from.
11. Continue around until you have four square knots completed and all the strands have been used.
12. Leave another 2.4-in. (6-cm) gap and repeat step 10 once more, again halving each group and working adjoining strands into square knots. You should now have two rows of four square knots.
13. Leave a 2.75-in. (7-cm) gap from the bottom of the last square knot. Close the piece with a wrapped knot using the other 24-in. (60-cm) piece of cord.
14. Trim the ends of the cords, leaving 6 in. (15 cm) of tassel ends.
14. Trim the ends of the cords, leaving 6 in. (15 cm) of tassel ends.
Pop the vessel with a plant into the net, hang your creation and enjoy.
This basic pattern can be adjusted to hold larger vessels and to hang at different lengths. Once you get the hang of it, you can add more planters throughout the year. The options are endless!
More: 7 Quick and Easy Indoor Halloween Decorating Ideas
This basic pattern can be adjusted to hold larger vessels and to hang at different lengths. Once you get the hang of it, you can add more planters throughout the year. The options are endless!
More: 7 Quick and Easy Indoor Halloween Decorating Ideas
- Black cord, 5 millimeters thick: 8 lengths, each 12.8 feet (3.9 meters) long
- Black cord for wrapped knots: 2 lengths, each 24 inches (60 centimeters) long
- 4 natural wooden beads, 15 mm diameter
- Terra-cotta pot, about 8 in. (20 cm) diameter
- 1 indoor plant (10 Top Plants to Grow Indoors)
- 1 metal O-ring
- Orange paint
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
Estimated cost: $25 (not including plant)Knots used in this project:
- Square knot
- Wrapped knot
- Alternating square knot
Knot Again! Macramé Is Back