The Macramé Plant Hanger Every Beginner Should Make First
If you've been meaning to try macramé and keep not starting, this is the one to start with. No ring, no dowel, no project board. Six lengths of cord, two knots, and about half an hour.
Last updated: August 19, 2026
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A Note from Nicole
I've taught a lot of first projects over the years, and I keep coming back to recommending the plant hanger.
Some of that is the knots. There are only two here, and you'll have both of them under your hands by the fourth row. But mostly it's that a plant hanger is useful. A practice sampler of knots tends to end up in a drawer. A plant hanger ends up by a window with something growing in it, and you walk past it every day.
The reason I wrote this particular version is the supply list. Most plant hanger patterns open by asking for a wooden ring, and a ring is the one thing a new maker never has lying around — so the project stalls before it starts, waiting on a delivery. This pattern skips the ring altogether. The loop you hang it from is braided out of the cords themselves, and I think it looks lovelier than a ring anyway.
Cord, scissors, something to measure with. Cut six lengths and you'll be knotting within ten minutes.
A macramé plant hanger without a ring is a hanging planter holder whose top loop is braided from the working cords themselves rather than mounted onto a wooden or metal ring. It is the most beginner-friendly way to make one, because the ring is usually the only supply a new maker doesn't already own. This pattern uses six 200 cm lengths of 5mm cotton cord and two knots — the square knot and the gathering knot — with a simple three-ply braid forming the loop. It takes about 30 minutes, finishes at roughly 6 inches wide by 1 metre long, and needs nothing beyond cord, scissors and a tape measure.
Quick Answer
- Who it's for: Complete beginners. This is a sensible first macramé project, and a very sensible first plant hanger.
- Supplies: Cord, scissors, and something to measure with.
- No ring or dowel — the hanging loop is braided from the cords themselves.
- Knots: Two, plus a plait. Square knot and gathering knot.
- Time: About 30 minutes.
- Cord: Six strands cut to 200 cm. One roll makes roughly eight hangers.
- Finished size: Around 6" wide and 1 m long, sized for a 5–7" pot.
- Also inside: which beginner supplies are worth buying now, and which can wait.
🎥 New to macramé entirely? Watch the video through once before you cut anything. The three-ply braid in Steps 3–4 is the only part that might look unfamiliar on paper, and it's the same motion as plaiting hair.
What's in this tutorial
- What you'll need
- What you actually need to start — and what can wait
- Cord cut lengths
- The two knots you'll use
- Project details at a glance
- Watch the video tutorial
- Phase 1: The hanging loop (Steps 1–5)
- Phase 2: The basket (Steps 6–9)
- Phase 3: Finishing (Steps 10–11)
- Which pots fit
- Where first attempts usually go wrong
- What to make next
- FAQ
What You'll Need
Three things, and you very likely own two of them already.
🪴 And a plant pot. Any pot between 5 and 7 inches across will sit nicely in this hanger. If you don't have one to hand, these are the plastic planters with drainage trays I use for hangers like this one — choose a size in the 5 to 7 inch range and it will drop straight in.
You'll also want somewhere to hang the work while you knot. A door handle, a cupboard knob or the back of a chair all do the job.
Not sure which cord to pick? Read the complete guide to selecting macramé cord. Our supplies also ship from the Bochiknot storefronts on Amazon US and Amazon Canada.
What You Actually Need to Start Macramé (And What Can Wait)
Open ten beginner macramé tutorials and you'll come away with a list of about ten different things to buy. None of it is a con — every item on those lists is a real tool that people who do this a lot reach for often. But almost none of them matter on your first afternoon, and buying them all at once is how a new hobby turns into a drawer of things you never used.
So here's how I'd spend it, in order.
What the lists tell you to buy
| Item | Do you need it now? | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden or metal ring | No | Braid the hanging loop from the cords themselves — that's Steps 3–4 of this pattern. |
| Dowel | Not for plant hangers | Dowels are for wall hangings. A plant hanger doesn't need one at all. |
| Project board and T-pins | No | Hang your work from a door handle, a cupboard knob, or the back of a chair. That's what most of us actually do. |
| Fringe comb | Only if you want fluffy fringe | A regular comb works. Or skip fringe entirely — this pattern's ends are trimmed straight. |
| Beads | No | Decorative only. Add them to your third or fourth project, not your first. |
| Multiple cord sizes | No | One roll of 5mm handles plant hangers, keychains and small wall hangings. Buy a second size when a pattern actually calls for it. |
| A "starter kit" | Depends | Fine if you want everything in one go. Not necessary to make this. |
When each one earns its place
Every item above is worth owning eventually. The trick is buying each one in the week a project actually asks for it, rather than all at once in advance.
- A ring — when you want a plant hanger with a crisp, defined top rather than a soft braided loop, or when a pattern mounts a lot of cords at a single point.
- A dowel — the day you decide to make a wall hanging. Not a day earlier.
- A comb — when you want fringe that fans out rather than hangs straight. It makes a real, visible difference, but only ever on fringe.
- A second cord size — 3mm, once you move on to keychains and finer detail work. Two sizes will cover very nearly everything you'll want to make.
- A project board — when you start on pieces that have to stay flat and square while you work, like coasters and mandalas.
None of it is urgent. You have six lengths of cord and a pair of scissors, and that is enough to make something today.
💡 If you spend money on one thing, spend it on cord. Cheap cord sheds, splits as you pull it, and won't hold an even knot — and the real problem with that is it convinces a beginner they're bad at macramé when they aren't. Everything else can wait. A tool kit makes good sense once you know you're going to keep going, and very little sense before that.
Cord Cut Lengths
| Cord | Length | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 5mm cotton | 200 cm (79") | 6 strands |
Twelve metres in total. One 100m roll makes about eight hangers.
📏 Using a different cord size? Lengths shift with thickness. Our free cord calculator works it out for you rather than leaving you to guess.
The Two Knots You'll Use
Two knots and a plait — that is genuinely the whole technical requirement. Both knots are worth learning properly, mind, because they turn up in almost every macramé pattern you'll meet afterwards.
- Square knot — does nearly all the work here, across Steps 6 to 9. It's the workhorse of macramé.
- Gathering knot — closes the bottom, used just once in Step 10. It also happens to be how you finish most macramé pieces.
- Three-ply braid — not really a knot at all. If you've plaited hair, you already know it.
Project Details at a Glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Skill level | Absolute beginner ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Time | 30 minutes |
| Supplies | Cord, scissors, tape measure |
| Ring or dowel | None |
| Knots | Square knot, gathering knot, three-ply braid |
| Finished size | ~6" wide × 1 m long |
Watch the Video Tutorial
▶ Watch full-screen on YouTube →
Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial
Eleven steps, grouped into three phases so you can always see where you are. Phase 1 is a plait, Phase 2 is one knot repeated four times, and Phase 3 is finishing. Read a step, do a step — there's no need to hold the whole thing in your head at once.
The Hanging Loop
The first five steps are a plait. There are no macramé knots here at all, and nothing to memorise — a gentle place to start.
Cut and fold six cords
- Cut six strands of a piece of rope, each measuring 200cm.
- Gather all the strands, fold the center of the cords in half, and hold onto the center.
Tie a temporary overhand knot
- Right at the center, shift 10 cm down and tie an Overhand knot.
Start the three-ply braid
- Use two cords as one cord group, resulting in three groups of two cords each to make a 3-ply braid on the slightly longer cord-ends.
Braid 15 cm
- Continue braiding until you reach a length of approximately 15 cm.
Untie the overhand knot
- Once the braid is complete, untie the overhand knot created at the beginning.
- The braided section will serve as the handle for the plant hanger. Keep it folded.
The loop is done
Five steps in, and the hardest thing you've done so far is a plait. No ring, no hardware, and the part you hang it from already exists.
Square knots from here — and there's only one of them to learn.
The Basket
Four rows of square knots, all the same knot repeated. This is where it becomes a plant hanger.
Tie one large square knot
- Use the two cords on the far right and far left as working cords for a large square knot.
Split into three groups and knot
- Separate the vertical strands into three groups containing four cords each.
- With one group of four cords, make a Square knot.
- Repeat for a Square knot with each of the remaining two groups of cords.
First row of alternating square knots
- In between two Square knots, make an alternating Square knot approximately 25 to 30 cm down
- Repeat this process on the remaining two sides to make two more alternating square knots
Second row of alternating square knots
- Make an alternating square knot approximately 8 to 10 cm underneath two square knots you just made
- Repeat this process on the remaining two sides within the same row
Go and fetch your pot
The basket is finished. Drop your pot in now, while the spacing can still be adjusted, and see how it sits.
Two steps left, and neither takes long.
Finishing
One knot to close the bottom, then a trim. Ten minutes at most.
Close it with a gathering knot
- Gather all the vertical cords together, approximately 10 cm below the last row of square knots.
- Use a 60 cm cord to create a Gathering knot
Trim the fringe
- Hang the finished plant hanger up before you cut anything — fringe falls differently under its own weight than it does on a table.
- Trim the cord ends level, about 15–20 cm below the gathering knot.
- Cut a little at a time. You can always take more off.
That's a plant hanger
Find it a hook, put something green in it, and let it sit where you'll walk past it. If this was your first macramé project, the two knots you just learned will carry you through most of what comes next.
I'd love to see it — tag #BochiknotPlantHanger on Instagram. First attempts are genuinely my favourite ones to look at.
Which Pots Fit
The basket spacing suits a 5–7 inch pot. Widening the spacing at Steps 8 and 9 takes a bigger one; tightening it takes a smaller one.
If you're buying a pot for this, the plastic planters with drainage trays I use are inexpensive and come in a range of sizes — a 6 inch is the safest pick for this pattern. Whatever you choose, look for a drainage hole and a tray, because a pot that holds water in a macramé hanger will eventually mark the cord.
| Pot | Fit | Adjust |
|---|---|---|
| 4" (10 cm) | Slips through | Reduce Step 9 spacing to 5–6 cm. |
| 5–6" (13–15 cm) | Ideal | Use the spacing as written. |
| 7" (18 cm) | Works | Widen Step 8 to 32–35 cm. |
| 8"+ (20 cm+) | Too large | Cut cords 40 cm longer and widen both rows. |
Test before you finish. Put the actual pot in at Step 9, while the spacing can still be changed.
Where First Attempts Usually Go Wrong
None of these will ruin a hanger, and most are quick to put right if you catch them early. They're listed roughly in the order they tend to happen.
| Problem | Cause and fix |
|---|---|
| The braid comes undone | You untied the overhand knot before the square knot in Step 6 held it. Untie at Step 5, but go straight into Step 6 — don't put it down in between. |
| Hanging loop is too small for a hook | Braid shorter than 15 cm. Measure it. A 15 cm braid folds into a loop that clears most ceiling hooks. |
| The basket sits crooked | The three groups weren't spaced evenly at Steps 8–9. Measure the drop on all three sides rather than judging it. |
| Pot falls straight through | Step 9's second row was skipped or spaced too wide. Two rows are what cradle the pot; one row won't. |
| Square knots twist instead of lying flat | You're starting every knot from the same side. Alternate — left cord over first, then right — or you'll get a spiral. |
| Groups have uneven cord counts | Count at Step 7. Three groups of four. A group of five throws the whole basket off-centre and it's invisible until the pot goes in. |
| Fringe looks uneven | Trimmed flat on a table. Hang it first — cord falls differently under its own weight. |
What to Make Next
🔗 You know two knots now. Here's where they go:
- Six knots, one plant hanger — the next step up, using a ring
- 5 ways to start a plant hanger — mounting methods, with and without a ring
- Plant hanger with beads — same square knots, one new material
- Cord calculator — for when you want to resize any of them
🎨 Want PDF patterns? Browse the macramé pattern library.
Prefer to buy finished? Handmade pieces are on our Etsy shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What supplies do I need to start macramé?
Three things: cord, scissors, and something to measure with. That really is the whole list for this project. Most beginner guides will add a ring, a dowel, a project board, T-pins, a comb and beads — all real tools that experienced makers use, but none of them necessary on your first afternoon. The only one worth spending properly on early is cord, because cheap cord sheds and knots unevenly and will have you blaming your own hands for something that isn't your fault.
Is this a good first macramé project?
It's the one I recommend most often. There are only two knots, it takes about half an hour, and unlike a practice sampler you end up with something you'll actually hang up and use. Finishing a real object on your first attempt does a great deal for whether you come back for a second one.
Can you make a macramé plant hanger without a ring?
Yes, and this pattern does exactly that. The loop you hang it from is a simple three-ply braid made from the working cords themselves — Steps 2 through 5. A ring gives you a crisper top edge if you want one, but it isn't structural and nothing about the hanger needs it.
Do I need a dowel for a plant hanger?
No. Dowels belong to wall hangings, where the cords mount along a horizontal bar. A plant hanger hangs from a single point at the top, so there's simply nothing for a dowel to do.
How long does this plant hanger take to make?
Around 30 minutes once you've watched the video through. The four rows of square knots take up most of that; the braid is about five minutes and the gathering knot at the end takes one.
How much cord do I need?
Six strands at 200 cm each, so twelve metres in total. A 100 m roll will make roughly eight hangers, which is why one roll goes a long way. If you switch to a different cord thickness the lengths shift, and our free cord calculator will work out the new numbers for you.
What knots do I need to know before I start?
None, honestly — both are taught in the steps. You'll use the square knot and the gathering knot, plus a three-ply braid that's the same motion as plaiting hair. If you'd like to practise them first, the linked knot tutorials walk through each one slowly.
What cord should a beginner buy first?
One roll of 5 mm cotton. It handles plant hangers, keychains and small wall hangings, so you won't be buying a size you use once and forget. Add 3 mm later, when you start on finer detail work.
Do I need a macramé board and T-pins?
Not for this. Hang your work from a door handle, a cupboard knob or the back of a chair — that's what most of us do at home. Boards matter for pieces that need to stay flat and square while you work, like coasters and mandalas, and a plant hanger hangs anyway.
Is a macramé starter kit worth buying?
Only if you'd genuinely rather have everything arrive at once. Nothing in a kit is needed to make this hanger, and buying tools before you know which projects you enjoy is how people end up with a drawer of things they never reach for. Buy each tool the week a pattern asks for it.
What size pot fits this plant hanger?
A 5 to 7 inch pot sits best, and 6 inches is the safest choice. Below 5 inches it can slip through the basket, so tighten the spacing at Step 9. Above 7 inches, cut your cords 40 cm longer and widen both knot rows. Whichever you use, test with the actual pot at Step 9 while the spacing can still be adjusted — these plastic planters with drainage trays are the ones I reach for.
Why did my square knots come out twisted?
You started each knot from the same side. That produces a spiral — which is a lovely pattern in its own right, just not this one. Alternate which cord crosses first, left then right, and they'll lie flat.
My pot falls straight through the basket. What went wrong?
Almost always the second row at Step 9 — either skipped, or spaced too widely. It's the two rows working together that cradle the pot; a single row leaves gaps big enough for it to pass through.
How long should the hanging loop be?
Braid about 15 cm. Folded over, that gives a loop which clears most ceiling hooks comfortably. Much shorter and a hook won't pass through at all; much longer and the finished hanger sits lower than you intended.
Can I make this longer?
Yes. Add 40 cm to every cord for roughly 20 cm of extra drop. The knot spacing stays exactly the same — there's simply more cord running between the rows.
What should I hang it from?
A ceiling hook rated well above the watered weight of your pot. A 6 inch pot with damp soil runs somewhere around 4 to 6 lb, so a 10 lb hook gives you sensible headroom. Fix into a joist where you can, or use a toggle bolt where you can't.
Can I sell plant hangers made from this pattern?
Yes, please do. Square knots, gathering knots and braids are traditional techniques rather than anything proprietary, so whatever you make is yours to sell. The only thing I'd ask is that you don't redistribute the written tutorial itself.
Where can I buy the cord used in this tutorial?
The 5 mm cotton cord, scissors and measuring tapes are all on Bochiknot.com, and our supplies also ship from the Bochiknot storefronts on Amazon US and Amazon Canada if that's easier for you.
Keep Learning with Bochiknot
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📸 Made one? Show us.
Tag #BochiknotPlantHanger on Instagram — if this was your first macramé project, say so. Those are our favourite ones to see.
About Nicole Woo
Nicole is the founder of Bochiknot and has been teaching macramé for 5+ years to a community of 100,000+ makers across YouTube, Instagram and Patreon. She specialises in beginner-friendly cotton cord projects that feel approachable no matter your skill level.
Join her on Patreon for exclusive patterns, or explore individual ebook patterns.
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