Wall Planter

Description:  This interesting Wall Planter is a custom home decoration, with five small cradles that can each hold a flower pot, or bunch of dried flowers.  It’s a simple, yet elegant way to decorate a blank wall, or an area beside your front door. 

The finished size is approximately 55 inches wide and 60 inches tall (includes the fringe).  This Macrame project is rated Moderate, and is suitable for beginners with some experience.

• 6mm Cotton, Polypro, Nylon or Hemp (485 yards)
• 3 wood dowels, 60 inches long x ½-inch diameter
• 20 wood beads, 32 x 22mm in size

• Reverse Larks Head knot
• Double Half Hitch
• Square Knot
• Spiral Stitch
• Wrapped Knot
• Barrel Knot

Cutting Instructions

• Cut 5 cords, each 1 yard long
• Cut 32 cords, each 11 yards long
• Cut 16 cords, each 8 yards long

Prepare the ends of the long cords with tape, glue or melted wax.  This is especially important if you are using cord that is twisted rather than braided.  The short 1-yard cords do not need to be prepared.

Section A (Top)

Step 1:  Fold all the 11-yard cords in half and mount them to one of the dowels with Reverse Larks Head Knots.  Move left to right and attach them as follows:

2 cords – 2 cords – 1-inch space – 8 cords – 1-inch space – 2 cords – 2 cords

Repeat this process one more time, near the right end of the dowel.

For the center section of the Wall Planter, mount the 8-yard cords, following the same pattern.

Mentally label the groups 1 thru 15, moving left to right.  Each group will now have double the amount of cords, since you folded them in half.  For example:  The first group has 4 cords, as does the second.  The third group has 16 strands.

Step 2:  Use only the cords in the third group to make the first diamond.  Mentally number them 1 thru 16.  Tie rows of Alternating Square Knots as follows:

Row 1: Use cords 7 thru 10 to make one ASK. 

Row 2: Use cords 5 – 8 and  9 – 12 to make 2 ASK.

Row 3:  Three ASK should be tied, using 3 – 6, 7 – 10, and 11 – 14.

Row 4:  Tie the ASK using 1 – 4, 5 – 8, 9 – 12, and 13 – 16.

Row 5:  Repeat Row 3.

Row 6:  Repeat Row 2.

Row 7:  Repeat Row 1.

Step 3: Using the four strands in groups 1, 2, 4, and 5, tie a Spiral Stitch sennit measuring 10 inches long.  Make sure these sennits are all the same length.

Step 4:  Attach all the cords to a second dowel, using Double Half Hitches.  Make sure they are close to the left end of it. If the Spiral Sennits are not the right length, add or remove knots as needed, so they are straight and taut.  It works out better if you mount the cords coming from the diamond shape first.

Step 5:  Repeat steps 2 thru 4, using the other groups of cords.  The diamond shapes will be made with groups 8 and 13.  The Spirals will be tied with the remaining groups.

Sections B and C

Step 6:  Use the cords in the 3rd group again. This time you will be making a V shape.

Row 1:  Use cords 1 – 4, 5 – 8, 9 – 12, and 13 – 16.

Row 2:  Use cords 3 – 6, 7 – 10, and 11 – 14.

Row 3:  Tie 2 ASK with 5 – 8 and 9 – 12.

Row 4:  Tie one ASK with  7 – 10.

Step 7:  To start the cradle, move down 6 inches. Tie a row of ASK, using all the strands (in the 3rd group).

Step 8:  Move down 3 inches.  Tie the next row of ASK using cords 3 – 14 only.

Step 9: To complete the first cradle for the Wall Planter, take cords 1, 2, 15 and 16 and tie a Square Knot, after moving down 4 inches.  Measure from the row of ASK tied in step 7.  This knot needs to be positioned in the front of the others as you complete the next step.

Step 10:  Bring all 16 cords together, and tie a Wrapped Knot using one of the 36-inch strands.  This completes the small pouch for your flowers.  Make sure the knot tied in the previous step remains in front as you make the Wrapped knot.

Step 11:  Using the cords in groups 1, 2, 4, and 5, do the following:

Groups 1 and 5:  Make a Spiral Stitch sennit measuring 18 inches.

Groups 2 and 4:  Tie a Square Knot 4 inches below the 2nd dowel.  Slide a bead onto the filler cords. Tie another SK just below it.

Move down 4 inches, and tie the next SK.  Add a bead, and tie a SK just below it.  Move down 4 inches before completing the next step.

Step 12:  Cut the last dowel in half. Attach all the cords you just used to 1 of them, with DHH.  If necessary, you can remove or add knots to the Spiral Sennits to make the designs fit better.

Step 13:  Repeat steps 6 thru 12 to make the same design, using groups 6 thru 15, located in the center and right areas of the Wall Planter.  The other half of the dowel is used with groups 11 thru 15.

When you are finished with the center section, you won't be attaching the cords to a dowel.  Instead, skip past the next step. Complete step 15 and you will be ready for the finishing touches.

Step 14:  Repeat steps 6 thru 11 to make the lower sections, using groups 1 thru 5 as well as 11 thru 15.

Step 15:  Divide the cords in groups 1 thru 5 as follows:  The first set should consist of the four strands from the Spiral Sennit on the far left (group 1).  The second set consists of the cords from the Spiral on the right (group 5).  These are the working cords, and 4 of them are used together, as if they were a single strand.  The remaining strands are the fillers. 

Tie 2 thick Square Knots using the 8 working cords, around the fillers. 

Repeat this step using the cords in groups 11 thru 15.

Finishing Touches

Step 16:  Apply glue to the SK you just tied.  Trim the ends so they are even, and around 6 inches long.  Here are several options for the fringe:

• You can unravel each strand and brush the fibers until they are soft and smooth.

• You can add small beads along the length, followed by Overhand knots.  The last bead should be at the tip, followed by a Barrel knot.

• You can tie a Matthew Walker Knot at the tip, or a different finishing knot.

• Try attaching small artificial butterflies or birds to the fringe in the central area of the Wall Planter.