Free Macrame' Patterns Home Page
Macrame' Essentials
Learn Macrame' Knots
Micro-Macrame': Jewelry
Free Macrame' Patterns
Macrame' for Kids
Advanced Macrame'
Macrame' Dictionary
Etsy Shop Left Side Background Image
Custom Search

Diamond Planter

Diamond Planter
Description:  The Diamond Planter features three uncommon knots. The Diamond Stitch, Sailors Knot, and Crown knot are vintage decorative knots rarely seen together in one design.

There is a short cradle at the bottom to help hold the pot in place.  It's suitable for 4-inch pots, but can be made wider.

Either squares or rings can be used in this project, but keep in mind that they are not completely covered.

The finished size of the Plant Hanger will be approximately 32 inches tall, which includes the fringe. 

 Supplies Needed:

  • 6mm cord material (50 yards)
  • Two 3-inch squares (or rings)
  • One 5-inch square (or ring)
  • One 2-inch ring
  • 4-inch Plant Pot  
  • Project Board and pins
  • Rubber bands and glue

Knots Used:

Preparation and Mounting

Cut 8 cords, each 6 yards long.  Cut 2 cords, 1 yard in length. 

Prepare the ends of the 6-yard cords to prevent unraveling. 

On Top

Step 1:  Pass 4 cords through the 2-inch ring, folded over the bottom.  Arrange the other four cords on top of the first four.

Match the ends so all the cords are balanced.

The image shows the top four cords before they were folded on top of the others.

Wrapped Knot Instructions

Since the Diamond Planter is a beginner's project, I've included instructions for most of the knots.  

Here are the steps to making a Wrapped Knot:


Step 2:  Tie an Overhand knot at one end of a 1-yard cord.  Secure it to the left of the bundle of cords.

Bring it down 3 inches, fold it, then bring it back up.  The long portion should be on the left.  Secure it at the fold.


Wrap the long portion around the bundle of cords. 

Make sure it goes around the short portion, too.


Continue to wrap firmly several times, until the Wrapped knot is 1.5 inches long.

Pass the end through the area where the cord was folded, which now looks like a loop.


Pull the end with the Overhand knot gradually.  The loop and other end will go inside the knot.  Continue to pull until the loop is at the middle of the Wrapped Knot.

Trim both ends close to the top and bottom of the knot.   Push the stubs inside the wrapped area so they don't show.  Apply glue to hold them in place.

Step 2, continued:  Pull down on each half of the 6-yard cords, so they grip firmly around the ring.

Crown Knot Instructions

Now you will make a Crown Knot near the top of your Diamond Planter.

The most important aspect of this knot is NEATNESS.  Keep the four cords in each group as organized as possible, while you construct the knot.

4 Groups

Step 3:  Divide the cords into 4 groups of four.   Make a bundle with each group, and secure it with a rubber band.

Place the ring on the surface of you board, or on your lap, so the Wrapped Knot is upright.

Mentally number the groups as shown, with group 1 on the lower left.

Group 1
<< Move group 1 to the right, placing it on top of group 2. 

Leave a space for the 4th group.

Move group 2 vertically,
placing it on top of group 3.  >>
Group 2

Group 3
<< Move group 3 to the left, placing it on top of group 4.

Move group 4 forward, passing it through the space (group 1) from the top (over - under). >>
Group 4


Tighten the Crown Knot slowly by pulling on each group.   Move the cords as needed so they are organized and overlap as little as possible.

Step 4:
  Repeat step 3 several more times, until the Crown knot sennit is 3.5 inches long.


Step 6:  Place a 3-inch square over the Crown knot, so it's resting in the center.  One group of cords should be arranged under each side.

Attach all the cords to it with Double Half Hitches.  Pull each cord firmly before tightening.

Diamond Stitch Instructions

The Diamond Planter gets it's name from the Diamond Stitch, which was very popular in Macrame patterns of the early 1900's.

Should this knot prove too challenging for you, the Triangle knot is a good substitute.  Click on the link to see the instructions.


Step 7:  Select one cord from two sides of the square.  They should be the ones closest to the corner.   Mentally number them 1 and 2 as shown.

Use cord 1 to make two vertical bights, securing each one at the fold.  The result is three segments.

Row 1

Move cord 2 under - over - over the three vertical segments, moving right to left.

Row 2

Move cord 2 under - over - under the three vertical segments, moving left to right.

Row 3

Move cord 2 over - over - under the three vertical segments, moving right to left.


Tighten each area gradually, until the knot is as close to the square as possible.  It will rest under the corner.

Step 8:
  Repeat step 7 at the other three corners, then tie the knots with the remaining cords (center area of each side). 


For the remaining rows in this area of the Diamond Planter, you need to alternate the cords.

That means you select one cord from two knots resting next to each other. Use those two cords to create a new Diamond Stitch knot. 

The new knot in this image is loose so you can see it clearly (see information below).


It's important to remove all the slack as you tighten, so the knots are as close together as possible.

The neatness of the Diamond Planter depends on careful tightening in this area, so take your time.

Step 9:  Repeat steps 7 - 8 four times, for a total of five rows.

Triple HH

Step 10:  Attach the cords to the 5-inch square with TRIPLE Half Hitches (one DHH + a single Half Hitch).

There should be 4 cords per side -- two from a knot at the center area, and one from a knot at each corner. 

Stretch the knots as much as you can, so there is tension at the corners.

Sailor Knot Instructions

This is another area of the Diamond Planter where neatness is important.  Make sure each pair of cords rest side-by-side.

You will now be making the Sailor Knot, which is a variation of the Josephine Knot. Each one is made with 4 cords coming from one side of the square.


Step 11:  Mentally number the four cords on one side of the square.

Make a counter-clockwise loop with cords 1 - 2, passing the ends under to make the crossing point.


Begin a clockwise loop with cords 3 - 4, passing them over the first loop.  Allow them to rest on top of it.

Bring them under the ends of cords 1 - 2, to the left of the first loop.


Move cords 3 - 4 over cords 1 - 2 in the area just below the square.

Weave it through the first loop, over - under - over the three segments.


Tighten and balance the Sailor Knot so both loops are the same size, and the cords are neatly arranged.

The overall size of the knot should be 1-inch tall and 2-inches wide.  

It should be as close to the square as you can get it.


Step 12:  Repeat step 11 four more times, for a total of five Sailor Knots.

There should be 1-inch of space between the bottom of one knot and the top of the next.

Step 13:  Repeat steps 11 and 12 with the cords coming from the other three sides of the square.

Measure each strap to be certain they are all the same length.

The Diamond Planter has been changed from the original pattern in this next area. 

You will be creating a small cradle, which helps to hold the pot in place.   Two rows of alternating Sailor Knots are tied prior to attaching the last square.


Step 14:  Secure two straps on your board, making sure they are not twisted.  Mentally number the cords coming from the 5th knot in each strap.

Use cords 3 - 4 from the left knot, combined with cords 1 - 2 from the right knot.   Tie a new Sailor knot, which connects the two straps.


You have a decision to make.  By tightening the alternated Sailor knots so they are close to the 5th knot in the straps, the cradle will be only large enough for a 4-inch pot.

You can make it looser by adding 1/2 to 1-inch of space between the 5th knot in each strap and the alternated knots.

Step 15:  Repeat step 14 with the remaining cords coming from each strap.  This is considered row 1 of the cradle.

Step 16:  Alternate the cords again, and tie another row of Sailor Knots.  These should line up with the knots in the strap.

Make sure you add enough space between the knots to fit the pots you want to use in the Diamond Planter. 

The last square is optional, but it gives the pot something to rest on that's more sturdy than just cord material.  


Step 17: Attach the cords to the 3-inch square with DHH (four cords per side). 

The Sailor Knots in the second row of the Cradle should be touching the Square.

Place your pot in the cradle to see if it fits.  Make adjustments if necessary. 

Step 17, continued:  Gather all the cords together in the center of the square. 

Repeat step 2, tying a Wrapped Knot around them. 

After it's tightened, pull each cord firmly so there is tension in the bottom of the square.  Finish off the ends of the cord used to make the Wrapped Knot.

Step 18:  To create the fringe at the bottom of the Diamond Planter, trim the ends of all the cords so they are even.  

You can apply beads, then tie Barrel knots just below them. Another option is to unravel and brush the fibers to form a wavy fringe.

When using materials like Bonnie Braid (polypropylene), you can leave the cords intact.  Apply a flame to the tips, so the material melts.  This gives the Diamond Planter a nicely finished appearance.



Have any comments about the Diamond Planter? Contact Me.

Macrame Cord Divider