Beaded Skirt Hanger

• 4mm Macrame Cord (236 yards)
• One 2-inch ring
• One 8-inch ring
• 32mm x 22mm Oval Beads (28)
• 25mm Round Beads (12)
• 16mm Barrel Beads (38)

Cutting Instructions:

• Cut 8 cords, each 9-yards long
• Cut one cord, 3 yards long
• Cut one cord, 36 inches long
• Cut 32 cords, each 5 yards long

Creating the Top Section

Step 1:  Place the 9-yard cords on a table, so they lay vertically.  Arrange them so you have access to the center.  Place the 3-yard cord at the center point, resting horizontally.  Center it so the ends are even.

Use each half to wrap the bundle of 9-yard cords, moving from the center towards the ends. Each portion will be heading in opposite directions as you wrap it around the bundle. Make the wrapped area a total of 4 inches (2 inches on either side of the center).  Tie a Half Hitch with each end, to secure the working cord when you are finished wrapping.

Step 2: Direct the wrapped area through the 2-inch ring, and fold it in half over the bottom of it.  Take the ends of the short cord used for the wrapping, and tie a tight Square Knot (SK) around ALL the other cords, which act as fillers.

Step 3:  Divide the cords into four groups, consisting of 4 strands.  Tie one SK in each group (2 working cords, 2 fillers). 

Mentally number the cords 1 thru 16. It doesn't matter where you start the numbering process, since you are moving in a circle as you create the top of the Beaded Skirt Hanger.

Alternate the strands, and slide an Oval Bead over cords 4 and 5, which should be the working cords for two of the knots from step 3.  Tie a SK with cords 3 thru 6, so it rests just below the bead.

Repeat the process, adding an oval bead to cords 8 and 9, and tying the SK below it with cords 7 thru 10.

The next bead should be added to 12 and 13, followed by the SK with cords 11 thru 14. The final bead should be placed on cords 16 and 1. The SK below it should be tied with cords 15, 16, 1 and 2.

Step 4: Repeat step 3, alternating the cords before you start, so the groupings are different.  Add 4 of the Round Beads instead of the Oval ones.

Step 5:  Repeat step 3, alternating the cords again.  Add more Oval Beads this time. This completes the top portion of the Beaded Skirt Hanger.

Long Sennits (Middle Section)

Step 6:  You are creating a total of four long Spiral sennits for the middle section of the Beaded Skirt Hanger. Start by alternating the cords again by taking two strands from one SK and 2 from the next knot over.  Tie a Spiral Stitch sennit, measuring 12 inches.

Step 7: Slide all four cords through a 25mm Round bead, a 16mm barrel bead, and another round bead. 

Step 8: Switch cords around, so you use the longest ones as the new working cords.  Tie a Spiral Stitch sennit below the beads, 12 inches long.

Step 9: Repeat steps 6 thru 8 using the remaining strands in groups of four, to make the remaining 3 sennits for the Beaded Skirt Hanger.

Creating the Basket

Step 10:  Direct all the cords inside the 8-inch ring.  Attach each one to the ring with a Double Half Hitch.  Pull the first Half Hitch tightly, so the ring rests against the last knots tied in the long sennits. Arrange the cords so they are spaced equally around the ring, in four groups. 

Step 11:  Mount all 32 of the 5-yard cords to the ring with reverse Larks Head knots.  Place 8 strands between each of the four groups already on the ring. If the ring is not completely covered, add extra Half Hitches.

Step 12:  To start the basket for the Beaded Skirt Hanger, tie 2 rows of Alternating Square Knots (ASK).  The first row should rest just below the ring.

Step 13:  Slide an Oval bead onto the two filler cords for each knot in the 2nd row. Alternate the cords and tie the third row of ASK, so the knots rest just below the beads. There should be as little space as possible between the beads and the knots.

Step 14:  Tie 5 more rows of ASK. If you wish to make the basket for the Beaded Skirt Hanger a little deeper, simply tie a few more rows of ASK.

Step 15:  Select four of the SK that are lined up with the 4 long Spiral sennits. Take the cords from each of these knots and pull them to the inside of the basket you were making with the ASK.

Use the 36-inch cord to make a Wrapped Knot around these 16 strands.  After the knot is tightened, pull on the cords so they become taut, to form a base that the plant pot can rest on. 

Apply glue to the Wrapped Knot and allow it to dry completely, before trimming the cords to 6 inches.  You can cut off the one used to make the Wrapped knot.

Step 16:  Tie 2 more rows of ASK using the remaining 64 cords.

Creating the Beaded Fringe

Step 17:  To make the beaded fringe, you will be placing beads in a spiral pattern.  Start near the bottom of the basket, and slide one 16mm Barrel Bead onto 2 of the filler cords.  Tie a Square Knot with those two strands and two next to them (total of four), so it rests under the first bead.

Note: When selecting the cords to make the SK below the bead, this step is similar to what you did in step 3. You use one cord from either side of the fillers as the working cords. It's important that you try to use cords that are close to one another for these knots.

Step 18:  Add the next bead to the right working cord (coming from the knot you just made, under the bead), combined with the free cord to the right of it.  Choose a cord from either side of those two, which will be the working cords, and tie a SK under the second bead.

Continue in this manner, always using the right working cord from the knot under the newest bead, combined with the one to the right of it.  Add two more strands, one on either side.  This way the “Skirt”, which gives the Beaded Skirt Hanger it’s name, is connected.  The beads will automatically be spaced evenly, without the need for measuring.

Step 19:  When you are finished with the beads, trim the ends so they are even.  Apply glue to the tips to discourage the fringe from unraveling.  If you wish, you can tie Barrel knots or Matthew Walker Knots at the tips instead.