How to Make Plant Hangers Out of Yarn
Hanging plants are usually more expensive than their plain, potted compatriots. Use leftover yarn scraps to create your own hangers for potted plants. Yarn comes in a variety of colors, hues and textures, making it easy to match your plant hangers to the decor of any room in your home. Using simple knots, you can create a sturdy, functional and beautiful piece of home decor.
Select a thick, bulky-weight yarn for this project. Synthetic fibers, such as acrylic, hold up best with general wear and tear. Cotton loses elasticity over time, and wool may warp with water and friction.
- Hanging plants are usually more expensive than their plain, potted compatriots.
- Using simple knots, you can create a sturdy, functional and beautiful piece of home decor.
Measure the estimated length of your plant hanger. This is the distance from the hook you will hang the plant from to the bottom of the plant's pot.
Multiply this measurement by five. Cut six pieces of bulky-weight yarn to this measurement. For a one foot long plant hanger, you would have six five-foot-long pieces of yarn.
Fold the pieces of yarn in half. Slide a large metal O-ring over the yarn strands until it hits the middle fold in the yarn. Tie the yarn beneath the ring using a hitch knot or slip knot, securing it in place.
- Measure the estimated length of your plant hanger.
- Slide a large metal O-ring over the yarn strands until it hits the middle fold in the yarn.
Divide the strands of heavy duty yarn. Since they're folded in half you should have twelve. Separate the strands into three groups of four strands.
Clip the metal ring with a bulldog clip. Secure the bulldog clip to a secure surface, such as the edge of a desk, table or couch.
Select one group of four strands. Use an overhand knot to secure this group together, separating the strands from the rest of the yarn strands.
- Divide the strands of heavy duty yarn.
Create two square knots from the yarn pieces in the clipped group, using two strands held together as one. Position the knots so that they line up with the top edge of your flower pot. Don't pull the square knots too tightly – they should be firm, but loose enough that you can still see how the knots were constructed.
Tie one overhand knot in each of the other two four-strand groups, .
Tie two square knots in each of the remaining four-strand group, using two strands held together as one. Position these knots so they line up with the edge of the top of your flower pot. Don't pull the knots tightly – you should be able to see the design of the knots. You should now have three separate sections of yarn, each section knotted with one overhand knot and two square knots.
- Create two square knots from the yarn pieces in the clipped group, using two strands held together as one.
Weave all strands of yarn to the bottom of your flower pot, intertwining and adding knots as is visually pleasing to your eye. You are not required to make any more knots in the yarn strands, any further knots are purely decorative. Tie all the strands at the bottom of the pot with a square knot or hitch knot.
Cut the ends of the yarn strands neatly or leave them hanging as a decorative tassel.
Tip
String beads onto the strands of yarn before knotting to add glitz and glamor to your yarn plant hangers.
If you are proficient in the chain stitch of crochet, create a crochet chain for each initial strand of yarn for a more twisted, decorative touch.
Warning
Don't be afraid to experiment with knots or make mistakes. Knots can always be undone. Take some time to play with the yarn as you create your plant hangers.
Related Articles
References
- "Reader's Digest Crafts and Hobbies"; Readers Digest Publishing; 1979
- "The Hippie Handbook"; Chelsea Cain; 2004
- "Kitschy Crafts"; Jo Packham, Matt Shay; 2006
Resources
Tips
- String beads onto the strands of yarn before knotting to add glitz and glamor to your yarn plant hangers.
- If you are proficient in the chain stitch of crochet, create a crochet chain for each initial strand of yarn for a more twisted, decorative touch.
Warnings
- Don't be afraid to experiment with knots or make mistakes. Knots can always be undone. Take some time to play with the yarn as you create your plant hangers.
Writer Bio
Elizabeth Tumbarello has been writing since 2006, with her work appearing on various websites. She is an animal lover who volunteers with her local Humane Society. Tumbarello attended Hocking College and is pursuing her Associate of Applied Science in veterinary technology from San Juan College.
