Macrame is a knot craft most frequently associated with the DIY movement of the 1970s. However, it actually dates back to the 13th century. It conjures up images of seafarer's knots as well as Victorian home decor. Viewed in that light, the kitschy craft becomes a delightful addition to any home. Crafted into a plant hanger, it provides a subtle touch without going over the top.
You can plant anything you wish inside of a Mason jar planter. However, the succulent is an ideal choice. You can use them to make your own little terrarium, hanging it in the backyard where it will get all of the sun that it needs. The natural look of the macrame twine adds to the garden instead of drawing attention to itself.
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Materials
- Mason jar
- Masking tape
- Silver metallic paint
- Wide flat paintbrush
- Thick twine or macrame cord, ~ 50"
- Scissors
- Small succulent plants
- Rocks
- Soil
- Mason jar
- Masking tape
- Silver metallic paint
- Wide flat paintbrush
- Thick twine or macrame cord, ~ 50"
- Scissors
- Small succulent plants
- Rocks
- Soil
DIY Everywhere
Instructions
1. Remove the top from your mason jar and discard it.
1. Remove the top from your mason jar and discard it.
2. Place a band of tape horizontally around the mason jar, leaving approximately 1/4 of the jar revealed beneath its bottom edge.
3. Paint the entire bottom 1/4 of the jar with silver metallic craft paint. The masking tape protects the jar so that you get an even line. It may take several coats of paint, so allow the paint to dry then apply additional layers.
4. Remove the masking tape and discard it.
5. Cut eight pieces of thick twine, approximately 6" long per piece.
6. Knot all of the pieces of twine together using a simple knot at one end.
7. Place the twine flat on your work space with the knot pointing upwards and the rest of the strings hanging down. You may wish to secure the top of the knot in place using tape to make it easier to work with.
8. Separate the two strings on the right from the others. Cross the left string underneath the right string, then the right string back over the left string, creating a loose open knot.
9. Cross the right string underneath the left, then the left string back over the right. Pull tighter to secure the knot. In macrame, this is called a square knot.
10. Repeat steps 8-9 with each set of two strings, working from right to left. When you're done, you should have four square knots (one for each of four sets of two strings each), lined up together across a row.
11. It's time to create the next row of square knots. This time, you will begin on the left side of the group of strings. However, skip the furthest left and use the next two strings to create your first square knot. Then make two more square knots. Leave the furthest right string hanging loose just like you left the furthest left string. Therefore, you have three square knots in this row.
12. Remove the macrame-knotted twine from the workstation. Turn it upside down so that the original knot is now at the bottom. Slide the mason jar bottom first into your macrame plant holder, so that the bottom center of the jar is sitting atop that original knot.
13. Fill the bottom of the jar with small rocks.
14. Add soil atop the rocks.
15. Plant 2-3 small succulents inside of the soil.
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16. Hang your mason jar planter outside.