Triple Leaf Planter

• 4mm Jute, Hemp, Cotton or other material (128 yards)
• One 15-inch wood strip or branch
• One 2-inch ring

Cutting Instructions:

• Cut 16 cords, each 7 yards long
• Cut 4 cords, each 4 yards long

Prepare the ends with glue, tape or wax to prevent unraveling as you work.

Top Section

Step 1:  Mount the 7-yard cords to the branch or wood strip, using Larks Head Knots.  Since you fold them in half in the process, you will end up with 32 strands to work with.

Step 2:  Divide the cords into 2 groups consisting of 16 strands.  Mentally number the cords in the left group, 1 thru 16.  Tie rows of Alternating Square Knots as follows:

Row 1: Tie 4 ASK, using four cords per knot.  There will be 2 fillers and two working cords.  

Row 2:  Tie 3 ASK using cords 3 thru 14 only.

Row 3:  Tie 2 ASK, using cords 5 – 8 and 9 – 12 to make the knots.

Row 4:  Tie 1 ASK with cords 7 thru 10.

Step 3:  Mentally re-number the cords 1 thru 16.  To make the upper set of leaves for the Triple Leaf Planter, follow these steps:

Step A: Take cord 1 and direct it diagonally, towards the center of the design.  It will be a holding cord, so should be taut.  Attach cords 2 thru 8 to it with Double Half Hitches.  Try to make a gradual curve to these knots, so it forms a leaf shape.

Step B: Next, use cord 2, and direct it diagonally as the next holding cord. Make sure it curves as you attach cords 3 thru 8 to it with DHH, but in the opposite direction of the knots in step A. 

Step C:  Attach one holding cord to the other with a DHH.

Step 4:  Mentally re-number the cords.  Use strands 7 thru 10 to make a Square Knot.  Move down ¼-inch and tie 3 more SK.  Pass the ends into the space to make the Button Knot.  Tie a SK just below to secure it.

Step 5:  To make the lower set of leaves, follow these steps:

Step A:  Take cord 8 and direct it towards the outside left area of the Triple Leaf Planter design.  Attach cords 7 thru 1 to it, with DHH.  It should curve slightly to form the leaf shape.

Step B:  Use cord 7 next, and direct it diagonally.  Attach cords 6 thru 1 to it with DHH.  Curve these knots as well.

Step C:  Attach one holding cord to the other with a DHH.

Step D:  To make the leaf on the right, use cord 9 as the first holding cord. Attach cords 10 thru 16 to it with DHH.  Use cord 10 as the second holding cord. Attach cords 11 thru 16 to it with DHH.  Attach one holding cord to the other with a DHH to complete the leaf.

Step 7: Go back to the leaf design on the lower left.  Mentally number the cords 1 thru 16.  Tie the ASK as follows:

Row A: Tie one ASK with cords 7 thru 10.

Row B: Tie 2 ASK with cords 5 – 8 and 9 – 12.

Row C: Tie 3 ASK with cords 3 –6, 7 – 10, and 11 – 14.

Row D: Tie 4 ASK using all 16 cords.

Creating the Four Straps

Step 9: Mentally re-number all the cords, 1 thru 32.  Do the following to make the straps for the Triple Leaf Planter:

Step A:  Use cords 1 thru 8 only.  Tie 40 rows of Alternating Square Knots.

Step B:  Use cords 25 thru 32 and repeat step A.

Step C: Use cords 9 thru 24 to make another leaf design, following steps 2 thru 5.

Step D:  Still using cords 9 thru 24, repeat step 7.

Step E:  Use cords 9 -16 as well as 17 - 24 for this step.  Tie 29 rows of ASK in each group.

Step 10:  You now have four flat sennits.  In each one, tie a Square Knot button using the four cords in the center.  Since each group has 16 cords, you need to use 7 thru 10.  Step 4 contains the instructions for the Button Knot.

Move down 12 inches and cut off the excess from the cords used to make the buttons.  Unravel the ends to form a fringe.  You can add beads to the tips instead, for a nice beaded fringe.  Add a Barrel Knot to hold the bead in place.

Making the Cradle

Step 11: To make the cradle for the Triple Leaf Planter, arrange the four straps and mentally number them 1 thru 4.  In each strap, mentally number the cords 1 thru 16. If you can, fit the pot into the area where the cradle will be and place the following knots half way between the top and bottom. You can also measure the pot if you prefer.

Take cords 15 and 16 from strap 1, along with cords 1 and 2, from strap 2.  Tie a tight Square Knot. 

Combine cords 15 and 16 from strap 3 with cords 1 and 2 from strap 4.  Tie a tight SK.

Move down 1 inch.  Use cords 1 and 2 from strap 2 as well as strap 3, and tie a tight SK.

Use cords 15 and 16 from strap 1, as well as strap 4, and tie a tight SK.

Step 12:  Move down so the next knots line up with the bottom edge of the pot you are using. Tie 3 rows of ASK, so the knots are close together, and form a tube (not flat).  This will tighten the cradle for the Triple Leaf Planter.

Finishing Touches

Step 13:  Unravel the ends and trim as needed to make the fringe at the bottom. You can add beads followed by a Barrel knot if you want a beaded fringe instead.

Step 14:  To make the hanger at the top of the Triple Leaf Planter, attach the four 3-yard cords to the 2-inch ring with Larks Head knots.

Step 15: Tie 5 rows of ASK using the 8 strands.

Step 16:  Divide the cords into two groups of four.  Do the following in each group:

Step A:  Use cords 1 thru 3 to tie an ASK (one filler).

Step B:  Use cords 2 thru 4 to tie an ASK (one filler).

Step 17:  To attach the design to the Triple Leaf Planter, arrange the two filler cords in front of the wood or branch.  The working cords should be behind it.  These cords should rest close to the edges of the wood.

Tie a tight SK.  Make sure you use the working cords (from behind) to tie the knot. 

Step 18:  Tie a Square Knot button directly below, following the instructions in step 4.

Step 19:  Trim the ends and unravel them to form the fringe.  Or make a beaded fringe by applying beads followed by a Barrel Knot.