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Two Tone Planter

Description: The Two Tone Planter features a combination of dark and light colors, such as the rose and plum colors used in the example.

At the top is a "cage" made with one color, which surrounds a Crown knot made with the second color.

The long posts are made with a zigzag technique rarely seen in plant hangers. On either side of those are designs that look like chains.

The cradle is also unique, and there is a triple beaded fringe at the bottom.

This Macrame project is rated Moderate, so if you are a beginner, be sure to practice the decorative knots listed below.

The finished size is 46 inches, which includes the fringe.

Supplies Needed:

4mm cord material (Dark = 57 yards) (Light = 49 yards)

Two 2-inch rings

One 4-inch ring

Project boards and pins

Flexible Measuring Tape

Masking Tape

Knots Used in Pattern:

Wrapped Knot

Square Knot

Overhand Knot

Alternating Half Hitch

Crown Knot

Preparation and Mounting

Dark Color: Cut 8 cords, each 7 yards long. Cut 1 cord, 36 inches long.

Light Color: Cut 8 cords, each 6 yards long. Cut 1 cord, 36 inches long.

Prepare the tips to prevent the cords from unraveling while you make the Two Tone Planter.

Step 1: Pass each of the 7-yard dark cords through the 2-inch ring, folding them over the bottom. The ring should be upright as shown.

Match the ends to balance each cord.

Roll up the two halves of each cord into one bundle.

This will help you identify the two halves when you pull on them later on.

Place the 6-yard light cords on top of the dark cords.

Fold each one, matching the ends so they are balanced. Roll the two halves of each cord into one bundle.

Step 2: Use the 36-inch dark cord to make a 1.5-inch Wrapped Knot around the long cords.

Wrap firmly and evenly, so the knot is as neat as possible.

Step 2, continued: Starting with the dark cords, unroll each cord and pull downward on both halves at the same time. This tightens the cords around the ring at the top of the Two Tone Planter.

Make sure the ends still match and the cords stay balanced.

Do the same with the light cords.

Crown Knot and Cage

The top area of the Two Tone Planter features a Crown knot, which is made with the dark cords.

Step 3: You can either hold the cords between your knees or secure them to a board upside down.

Separate the light and dark colors, then secure the light cords with masking tape, so they are out of your way.

Divide the dark cords into four groups of 4 cords that rest next to each other.

Mentally number the groups, starting on the lower left and moving counter-clockwise.

Important: Arrange the cords as neatly as possible while you construct the knot in the steps below.

Step 4: FOLD the cords in group 1 to the right so they rest on top of group 2.

Then pull them back slightly, so there is some space between the two groups.

Step 5: Fold group 2 to the left, resting on top of group 3.

Make sure the cords in group 1 remain in place.

Step 6: Fold group 3 forward, so they are resting on top of group 4.

Step 7: Fold group 4 to the right, passing through the space you created with group 1.

Make sure group 4 passes over - under group 1, as shown in this image.

Step 8: Tighten the Crown knot slowly, pulling on all the cords in each group until it's square. Make sure the cords are neatly arranged.

Keep tightening until the knot measures 1-inch in both directions.

Step 9: Repeat steps 4 - 8 several times. The knots will stack on top of each other.

Stop when the design measures 4 inches.

Step 10: The rest of the Two Tone Planter will be easier to make while dangling from the ring at the top.

Measure one light cord starting at the bottom of the Wrapped Knot, moving down 1-inch. You can place a pin to mark the spot or use tape.

Pass it through the other 2-inch ring and attach it with 3 Half Hitches. The ring should touch the pin (or tape) when you tighten the first knot.

Repeat this process with the remaining light cords.

Step 11: Select 4 light cords and use them to tie a Square Knot below the ring.

It's important to tighten it firmly, so it rests as close to the ring as possible.

Repeat with the remaining light cords.

Step 12: Mentally number the cords coming from two knots resting next to each other. Combine cords 3 - 4 from the left SK with 1 - 2 from the right SK.

Use them to tie a new SK. The bottom of it should rest 1.5 inches below the knots tied in step 11.

Repeat with the remaining light cords.

Step 13: Repeat step 12, alternating the cords again.

Tie the third row of SK, placing them 1.5 inches below the previous row.

These knots should line up with the bottom of the Crown knot. Make adjustments as needed.

Step 14: Attach the cords coming from one SK to the 4-inch ring with 3 Half Hitches.

Pull each cord as much as possible, so the SK is touching the ring.

Step 14, continued: Repeat with the remaining light cords.

Position the four groups evenly around the ring, and make sure the rings are level.

Step 15: Attach each of the the dark cords to the 4-inch ring with 3 Half Hitches, placing each group of four between the light cords.

The cords should measure 1.5 inches between the Crown knot and the ring. Make sure the cords have tension, so the Crown knot is balanced inside the ring.

Long Sennits (Posts)

The long sennits, also called posts, form the middle section of the Two Tone Planter.

Step 16: Each post is made with 2 dark cords, followed by 4 light cords, then 2 dark cords.

Select those cords now to make the first post.

Mentally number the dark cords 1 and 2. The light cords should be numbered 1 - 4.

Step 17: Start with the dark cords on the left.

Make a Half Hitch with cord 1 (W) onto cord 2 (H), rotating counter-clockwise. Tighten the knot as much as possible, so it rests against the ring.

W = Working cord
H = Holding cord

Step 18: Alternate the cords by tying the next Half Hitch with cord 2 (W) onto cord 1 (H), rotating clockwise.

Tighten this knot firmly.

Step 19: Repeat steps 17 and 18 over and over to create the rest of the sennit. Tighten each knot firmly, but make sure they can stretch apart when pulled.

Stop when you have tied 48 Half Hitches.

Step 20: Repeat steps 18 and 17 with the dark cords on the right.

Start with step 18, so the first Half Hitch is made with cord 2 onto cord 1.

Repeat step 19.

Step 21: Now it's time to use the light cords to make the center of the post for your Two Tone Planter.

Tie a Square Knot with cords 1 and 3, onto cord 2 (filler).

Tighten it firmly while pulling on the filler, so it's as close to the ring as possible.

Step 22: Tie the next SK witch cords 2 and 4 onto cord 3 (filler).

Tighten firmly, so the two knots are close to each other.

Important: Make sure the knot is horizontal, and does not tilt.

Step 23: Repeat steps 21 and 22 over and over to complete the upper post for the Two Tone Planter.

Stop when you have tied 31 Square knots. The last knot you tie should be with cords 1 - 3.

Step 24: Organize the 8 cords so there are 4 light cords between the two pairs of dark cords. Mentally number them 1 - 8.

Step 24: Pull downward on the Half Hitch sennits, stretching them to line up with the last SK made in step 23.

Use cords 1 and 8 (dark cords) to tie a SK around all the others. It should rest just below the last SK tied with the light cords (arrow).

Step 24, continued: The SK should be tightened completely, but make sure the light cords don't overlap too much.

When you're done, it should be about 1-inch wide.

Step 25: Repeat step 17 - 20 to start the lower post for your Two Tone Planter.

Repeat step 22, followed by 21, so the first SK tied with the light cords is made with cords 2 - 4.

Repeat steps 23 and 24.

Step 26: Repeat steps 16 - 25 with the remaining cords, creating three more posts.

Cradle

Step 27: Measure the pot you will be using in the Two Tone Planter, or one of similar size.

The length from the top edge to the bottom edge is called the "pot height" in the instructions below.

Measure across the bottom as well (bottom width).

Step 28: Arrange two posts (long sennits) in front of you, resting side by side.

Mentally number the cords from each post (1 - 8).

Important: Tighten the following knots loosely, since you will need to make adjustments.

Step 29: Combine cords 7 and 8 from the left post with cords 1 and 2 from the right. Use them to tie a Square Knot. The fillers are cords 8 and 1.

The distance between this knot and the last SK in the posts should be 1/2 the pot height.

Pass cord 6 from the left and cord 3 from the right under cords 7 and 2.

Use them to tie the next SK around the same filler cords (8 and 1).

Pass cord 5 from the left and cord 4 from the right under the previous working cords.

Use them tie to tie the next SK around the same fillers.

Step 30: Repeat steps 28 - 29 with the remaining cords, connecting all 4 posts.

Step 31: Place the pot inside the cradle, so the last knot in the posts are near the top edge.

The third knot you tied in step 29 should rest close to the half way point between the top and bottom.

Step 31, continued: The cords should be straight in the area between the SK.

Make adjustments to the placement and tension of the cords as needed, then tighten the SK firmly.

Step 32: Mentally re-number the 8 cords associated with the triple SK designs you just made.

Repeat steps 28 - 31 using the same spacing (1/2 pot height). Measure from the bottom of the third knot down to the top of the first SK you tie.

The cradle for the Two Tone Planter looks better if the last SK rests near the lower edge of the pot.

Step 33: Gather the dark cords together, making sure they are organized neatly.

Measure from the last SK tied in the previous step, moving down 1/2 the bottom width of the pot.

Step 33, continued: Tie a Wrapped Knot around the group, using the 36-inch light cord. The top of it should be at the point measured.

Important: Do not cut off the two ends of the 36-inch cord until you complete the next step.

Step 34: Place the pot inside the cradle of your Two Tone Planter, and put something inside to give it some weight.

Move the Wrapped knot as close to the bottom of the pot as possible. Make sure the last SK tied in the posts are still resting near the top edge of the pot.

Triple Beaded Fringe

I chose a triple Beaded Fringe for the Two Tone Planter, but you can create a brushed fringe if you wish.

I recommend layering it, so it's not too bulky.

Step 35: Place beads onto the ends of the light cords, arrange at least 4 to 6 inches below the bottom of the pot.

Measure carefully, so all the beads are at the same level.

Tie TIGHT Overhand knots below the beads. Do not cut off the extra material yet.

Step 36: Look at the bundle of dark cords near the bottom of the Wrapped Knot. Separate the 10 cords on the outside of the group. The remaining 6 cords on the inside of the bundle are used to make the longest fringe.

Attach the beads at least 10 - 12 inches below the Wrapped knot, then tie Overhand knots below them.

Step 37: Apply the beads to the 10 cords you separated (outside of bundle), then tie Overhand knots below them.

The beads should rest 5 to 6 inches below the Wrapped knot.

Step 38: When all the bead are in place, cut off the excess material close to each Overhand knot.

When using Bonnie Braid or nylon material to make the Two Tone Planter, you can melt the stub with a flame, pressing it against the Overhand knot.

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Have any comments about the Two Tone Planter? Contact Me.

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