easy macrame planter basket using only two knots

This is a super easy macrame basket planter project for which you only need two simple macrame knots to create different patterns and sizes. I’m a big fan of easy macrame projects and have several other similar tutorials on my blog like my macrame garland, macrame earrings, macrame feather, macrame leaf, macrame wreath, macrame hanging basket, and macrame macrame stone wrap tutorial. And the best thing about macrame is that you can just unravel everything and start over if you make a mistake, so don’t worry, give it a try and have fun with it.

These planters are definitely not my idea and are inspired by my favorite black and white African baskets that I have in several spots of our home. You all know how much I love black and white patterns, right? And there is so much inspiration on Google, Pinterest, and Etsy with similar ideas. For example, check out the below African planters.

So today I just want to show you how easy it is to make a macrame basket like this. Or I should probably call it a planter sleeve.
It is however somewhat time-consuming which doesn’t matter to me because I love sitting in front of my favorite Netflix show and being able to make something like this with my hands. It is very repetitive if you pick an easy pattern.

Easy macrame basket using only two knots

As I mentioned already, this is an easy knotting project that beginners can do as well since only two simple knots are required.

craft supplies needed for this easy free macrame basket pattern

• macrame cords (I use two different 4 mm cord colors, my favorite combo is always black and white/ivory)
• craft scissors
• comb
• 1″ or 1.5″ wooden dowel rod

I always use cotton cords for my projects but have used synthetic cords as well for outdoor macrame projects like my solar macrame hanging lantern because it doesn’t rot and disintegrate. The feel and look of a cotton cord are much nicer though.

Step-by-step macrame planter basket instructions

This project is as simple as lining up a row of Lark’s head knots on the dowel rod and then following those up with rows and rows of Double Half Hitch Knots also known as Vertical Clove Hitch Knots.

Below is a Lark’s head knot tied so you can see how to set it up.

And here is a Lark’s head knot tied to the dowel rod. You can see it all better in my tutorial video.

Let’s get to the Double Half Hitch Knots also known as Vertical Clove Hitch Knots which you start out the way I’m showing below:

Followed up with the next loop. I always keep telling myself in my head “behind/under the string and over” for the first loop and “over and behind/under” for the second loop.

Pull both of those loops up and tighten them for the Vertical Clove Hitch Knots.

To make a planter or even wall hanging, you have to line the dowel rod with more strands of Lark’s head knots. This is determined by the height of the object that you want to make this cover for. If it is a planter or vase, then make sure that you have that item ready to measure how much macrame string Lark’s head knots you need on your dowel rod.

Jump to timestamp 2:29 in the video with the slider to see how I knotted a new color into the piece. You use the same method to add more yarn when you run out of macrame yarn.

In my video, I only made a cover for a small object. I just didn’t want to film the entire making of the large macrame planter because the video would have been very long 😉 After all, a large macrame planter took me several days to make.

I did, however, take photos while I was making one of my larger planters which I want to show below:

Maya thinks it is a rug for cats! By the way, I’m showing in my video how to tie in and hide the ends of new strings when you either run out of macrame string or when you want to add a different color. It’s easy!

Next, slide the weaving off the rod and cut the loops at the top with your craft scissors.

After that, you tie the ends together with the pretty side of the Vertical Clove Hitch Knots showing.

You can see it better on the larger DIY macrame basket.

The next step is to unravel all the macrame yarn and comb it, then cut it into the desired length. Giving the haircut is my favorite part.

And here are two of the finished macrame planter baskets in a grouping with my African baskets. I love the pattern of the smaller basket.

Maya below sniffing my faux plant. My kitties are the reason I had to get mostly faux plants. Thankfully there are so many great faux plant options now and I wrote about how to choose artificial house plants.

“If it fits it sits” and in the case below Willy does not fit in the basket:

They fit right in with the rest of my decor!

I kept the new velvet curtains up because I love them so much.

You might also like the macrame fringe garland below on the right.

On another note, I’ve had a pretty frustrating start to 2020 which was one reason that I haven’t had a blog post yet. My computer broke suddenly and now I have that bill over my head which is definitely not what I expected to start with.

I’m also working my seasonal side job again which makes it a little harder to get everything done.

Tschüß,