Step 3 of the process
Build the piece
Knots are combined into the piece: arms, a basket and a tail for a plant hanger, rows and shapes for a wall hanging. Measure as you go, because spacing decides whether the piece hangs straight.
- Plant hanger
- usually 6 or 8 folded cords, 12 or 16 strands
- Beads
- hole 1 to 2 mm wider than the cord
A plant hanger is built in four parts: the loop or ring at the top, the arms, the basket that cradles the pot, and the gathering knot with its tail at the bottom. The basket is made by joining strands from neighboring arms, and the gaps between those joins are what fit the pot. The plant hanger size guide covers fitting a hanger to a pot.
A wall hanging grows downward from the dowel in rows. Alternating square knots make a net, double half hitch rows draw diagonals and diamonds, and unknotted stretches leave open space. Measure from the dowel on both sides as you work, so that matching knots land at the same height.
Beads, rings and added shapes go in as the piece is built. A bead needs a hole about 1 to 2 mm wider than the cord, and wider still if two strands pass through it. When something goes wrong, most errors can be untied and redone: common macrame mistakes lists the usual ones with their fixes.
Ready to move on when: The knotted part matches the planned size, both sides are level and a plant hanger holds its pot upright.
Common mistakes at this stage
- Tying the basket knots at a different height on each arm, so the pot tilts.
- Measuring one side of a wall hanging only.
- Buying beads without checking the hole size against the cord.