Umbrella Planter

• 6mm Macrame Cord (45 yards)
• Heavy craft wire
• Metal coat hanger (handle)
• Project Board and pins

• Spiral Stitch
• Larks Head Knot
• Double Half Hitch (DHH)
• Alternating Square Knots (ASK)

Cutting Instructions

Handle:  Cut 1 cord, 7.5 yards long

Basket:  Cut 11 cords, each 2 yards long
             Cut 12 cords, each 45 inches long
             Cut 1 cord, 12 inches long

Prepare the ends with tape, glue, or wax to prevent unraveling.  You don’t need to prepare the 12-inch cord.

Step 1:  Untwist and straighten the coat hanger into the shape you want the handle.  The top end should remain curved.  You will be making the Umbrella Planter from the bottom towards the top.

Step 2:  Take the 7.5-yard cord and fold it in half.  Attach it to the hanger with a Half Knot.  That’s the first half of a Square Knot.   Push the knot near the bottom end of the wire, so it rests approximately ½-inch from the end.  Bend the wire into a small loop, to prevent the cord from sliding off.

Step 3:  Use the two ends to tie a Spiral Stitch sennit, using the wire as the filler.  The knots should be very close together.  Stop when the design is 2 inches long.

Step 4:  Place the 12-inch cord on the project board, so it rests horizontally.  It’s a holding cord, so should be taut when you secure it.

Mount 5 of the 2-yard cords to it with Reverse Larks Head knots.  You will fold them in half in the process.  They should be arranged close to the center of the holding cord.

Step 5:  Remove the holding cord from the board.  Take the two ends and tie them together with a Square Knot, making a very small circle.  Apply glue to the knot, as well as the ends of the holding cord, after you trim them to 1-inch.  Secure the ends to the inside of the circle.  Allow the glue to dry before moving on.

Step 6:  Place the circle at the top of the board.  The glued Square Knot should be in contact with the board, so it’s in the back of the Umbrella Planter.

Arrange the bottom end of the handle wire so it passes through the circle.  The wire and the two long cords should be in contact with the project board, so they are at the back. The curved end of the wire and the cords should all be heading downwards.  The circle should rest close to the last knot tied in the handle (spiral sennit).

Step 7:  To attach the handle to the basket, this first knot is very important.  The fillers are the two long cords attached to the wire, and the wire itself.  Pick two of the 2-yard strands closest to the glued knot on the circle, to be the working cords. Tie a tight Square Knot.

Step 8:  There are 8 of the 2-yard cords remaining.  Divide them into two groups of four and tie a Square Knot in each group.

Step 9:  Tie a row of Alternating Square Knots.  The best way to alternate is to use two strands from 2 SK in the previous row. Make sure you include the long cords, but not the wire.

Step 10:  Place a new 2-yard cord under the handle wire, along with the two long cords attached to it.  Center the new strand, and use the ends of it to tie a tight Square Knot. The long cords and the wire are the fillers.

Each time you add cords for the Umbrella Planter, you will do so in this same manner.

Repeat this process with 5 more 2-yard cords, adding each of them to sets of two strands.

Step 11:  Tie 5 rows of ASK, using all the available cords. In two of the rows, the long cords will end up as fillers. For those knots, make sure the wire is a filler as well.

Step 12:  Now it’s time to add the 45-inch cords to make the Umbrella Planter wider.  The first one should be attached to the wire and the two long cords.  Add it like you did before, by centering it under the cords and tying a SK.  The wire and long cords are the fillers.

The remaining 45-inch cords should each be attached to the existing cords, in sets of two.  Add them like you did the others.

Step 13:  Tie 6 rows of ASK.  In two of the rows, the long cords and wire work together as fillers, as in step 11.  The last two rows should have a little bit of space between them, so the top of the basket can be shaped more easily.

Step 14:  Cut a piece of craft wire so it’s 21 inches long.  Bend each end into a loop, ½-inch in size.  Form a circle with the wire, so it has a slightly oval shape. Secure it by connecting the two loops.

Attach all the 45-inch cords to the large circle, as well as the 2-yard cords, with Double Half Hitches.  Do not attach the long cords or the handle wire.

Step 15: To complete the handle for the Umbrella Planter, use the long cords to continue the Spiral Stitch sennit. Make sure you are using the handle wire as the filler.  Stop when you are approximately ½-inch away from the top end of the handle (curved area).  Bend the handle wire into a small loop, to prevent the knots from sliding off.  Apply glue to the last SK tied.  Trim the remainder to 1-inch and secure the ends to the handle with glue.  Try to place them at the back of the Umbrella Planter, where they won’t be seen.

Step 16:  Trim the cords around the top of the basket to 1-inch.  Unravel each cord and brush until soft and fluffy.  If you prefer not to have a fringe, use glue to secure the ends on the inside of the basket.

Step 17:  Arrange dried or artificial flowers and plants inside the basket of your Umbrella Planter.  Small pots containing live plants can be used as well, but make sure they are removed when watering. 

You can embellish this unique planter with artificial butterflies and birds as well. To see the decorations we have in the store, click on the banner below.