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
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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.
Video Tutorial
Below you can find the step-by-step-video tutorial. If it doesn’t load for you for some reason, then you can watch it on my YouTube Channel instead.
Music from https://filmmusic.io: “Bossa Antigua” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) Licence: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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!
Etsy wall hangings for sale that are made the same way as this project
Check out my macrame heart tutorial where I’m also showing a version made with this tutorial used as a wall hanging which you can see below.
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.
Similar baskets for sale that I love
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.
ROOM DECOR SOURCES: mirror not available anymore | brass pot from Goodwill | chairs | round end tables | similar coffee table HERE | disco ball HERE | salt lamp HERE | fur HERE | similar pouf HERE | drum HERE | blue pillows HERE, HERE and HERE | black and white pillows HERE | velvet pillow HERE | leopard lumbar pillow HERE |similar sofa HERE | rug HERE | macrame HERE | plaid pillows HERE | vinyl plank flooring from Karndean in Texas White Ash
You might also like the macrame fringe garland below on the right.
RELATED: If you like beachy decor then you might also like my DIY mussel shell flowers if you are looking for more seashell craft ideas.
Also, check out how to make DIY tea light candles in seashells the easy way.
Some of my other craft and macrame projects
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,
I love these. They look so good. I really need to try making some of your projects, at least start whit one. You make it look so easy.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you, Diane! Give it a try, it really is easy once you get the hang of it. And you can always open it again if you mess up which is so nice.
Oh my word, this is incredible. I love it. Great tutorial
this is pretty much genius. you always have the best DIYs!
Thanks Cassie
This is great! I am entertaining thoughts of making a basket like this to hold toys – do you have any idea on how I could add in a base?
I’ve been thinking about what to use for a base for a while. Probably something braided into a circle and then attached.
Love these! Unfortunately I’m not crafty at all. Do you mind if I ask you advice on how to stop a kitty from clawing your furniture? Out of my three she is the only one to do it. She will be seven this year and I have been inconsistent in getting her to stop (ie: yelling at her, chasing her, squirting water) but I am super motivated because I will be buying some new furniture soon. Of course I have a nice scratching post that she sometimes uses. Your home is beautiful and dosen’t appear scratched up 🙂
Donna
Good morning Donna,
I don’t mind at all. I actually talk about this often in my Instagram stories. Maybe I should write a blog post about it too.
In the mean time, until I write a blog post, I have made a small change in our home that has made a huge difference and saved our furniture.
I bought small scratching posts and placed them throughout my home in areas where they liked scratching the furniture.
They absolutely love them and I just replaced the sisal last week because they shredded the posts.
Here is my favorites page with a link to the scratching post that I have purchased and some of my other favorites that I use for our cats. I have 3 of them:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-d188fe57?listId=2NQEHUO6Z0ST1&ref=cm_sw_em_r_inf_list_own_influencer-d188fe57_dp_RastnFjfKoaLv
It’s the first one on the list.
They want to scratch and I can’t stop them from scratching but I can give them something else to dig into 😉
Oh and those planters are really easy to make even if you aren’t crafty 😉 They could even be turned into a cat bed.
Have a great week.
I am so excited to try this! What size cord did you use?
Oh yay, you should, yes! It’s the exact cord that I linked to in the supplies list.
Hi! I’m excited to try this! How many yards do I need to make one of these?
Thanks!
Did you make the fan, because it is amazing and I would love to do the same!
Hi there, and thanks! No I bought the fan on Etsy which is a great place to find them.