Project DIY: Macramé Plant Hanger

We love a good DIY project! It’s not just fun — it’s a meaningful way to create something beautiful without breaking the bank or hurting the planet. This macramé plant hanger is perfect for gifting: made from simple yarn or macramé twine and an upcycled container, it’s budget-friendly, eco-friendly, and a great gift for the plant lovers in your life!

I had intended this project as a follow up to the beautiful glass container I shared about in this post, but unfortunately, the container fell and broke as I was trying to tie the bottom of the plant hanger. Lesson learned: use a less breakable item for this step in future!

Why I love this project

Upcycling over buying new: Rather than buying a brand-new pot or hanger, this project is an opportunity to upcycle containers and twine or yarn on hand, or source materials second-hand!
Low cost, high impact: Yarn or twine is inexpensive, and upcycled containers can often be found around the house so it’s simple and afforable to create budget-friendly decor for ourselves or others. In the store these items can cost anywhere from $15 to $40, so making them ourselves can save quite a bit!
Versatile & customizable: You can choose colors, container styles, and hanger patterns to match different tastes and décor.

Supplies

Here’s a basic list – it’s always part of the fun to try using items already on hand!

Yarn, cotton cord, or macramé twine (e.g. 3–5 mm thickness works well)
Scissors
A measuring tape or ruler
The container (upcycled jar, tin can, coffee can, old mug, recycled tin, etc.)
A small pot or plant (optional, for testing)
(Optional) beads, wooden rings, or embellishments
(Optional) a hook, nail, or adhesive wall hook to hang the final product

Tip: If your yarn is old or you have leftover skeins, this is a perfect use for small bits.

The plan

Prepare your container
Cut and arrange cords
Knot the hanger
Test & adjust
(Optional) Customize with embellishments
Gift or hang it up

I used this tutorial for a simple hanger, posted here, however changed the pattern to suit my own taste.

Step-by-step process

1. Prepare the container

Clean and dry your container thoroughly.
If it’s transparent and you don’t like the inside view, you can line part of it with paper, paint it, or decorate it.

2. Creating the hanger

See linked instructions above.

4. Test & Adjust

Place your container (with or without a plant) into the hanger.
Make sure it hangs level. If one side droops, untie and adjust the cords.
Trim any excess cord if needed.

5. (Optional) Customize with beads or embellishments

Slide beads onto specific cords before tying certain knots.
Use wooden rings or rings made from recycled materials as decorative accents.
You can also dye portions of the yarn or twist in colored yarns.

6. Gift or hang it up

For gifting: wrap the hanger around the container or leave it separate with instructions.
To hang: use a hook, nail, or adhesive hook. Ensure the hanger is secure and the plant is stable.

Tips and tricks

Choose strong cord: Yarn is fine, but cotton cord or thicker twine will hold better for heavier plants.
Test weight before hanging.
Shorter containers work better — the hanger will support the base and sides.
If your upcycled container has sharp edges (e.g. tin can), line the rim with fabric or tape so it doesn’t cut the cords.
Use natural fibers (cotton, jute) for a more sustainable choice than synthetic yarns.
Mix up the knot patterns: once you’re comfortable, try spiral knots, half square knots, or other macramé techniques.

Estimated cost

Item	Cost (approx)
Yarn / cotton cord / twine	$2–$5 (or free if using leftovers)
Upcycled container	$0 (if reused)
Optional embellishments	$1–$3
Total estimate	$0 – $8

Final thoughts

A macramé plant hanger made with yarn or twine and an upcycled container is one of those DIY projects that feels rich in value but light on cost and waste. Want more DIY inspiration? Check out our past posts here!

Let’s keep in touch! Sign up to receive email updates from A Sustainably Simple Life below:

We’d love to add you to our monthly email list! Send us an email with “Subscribe” in the subject line to asustainablysimplelife [at] gmail.com or fill out the form here: Subscribe to A Sustainably Simple Life

You can unsubscribe at any time.

Why I love this project

Supplies

The plan