Introduction: Geometric Plant Hanger

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This project will show you the detailed steps to create a geometric plant hanger. I hope you enjoy doing it as much as I did!

Step 1: Tools

Here are details and links for the supplies that were used (bought in Switzerland, so you'll probably need to find an equivalent in your country).

  • Pot - I've actually used bowls rather than flower pots since I wanted a more evasive shape
  • Brass tubings, 4mm internal diameter 3x 20cm + 9x 10cm
  • Black thread, 2.5mm diameter (pay attention to the weight it can support) - the final length will depend on how long you want your hanger to be
  • Tube cutter
  • Hook for Swiss curtain rails - to be adapted depending on what you wish to tie your hanger to!
  • Scissors
  • Lighter (or matches)
  • Alcohol
  • Paper towel
  • Ruler
  • Indelible pen
  • Flat file
  • Pointy-ish tool (sorry, I don't know the name!)
  • Plant & soil

Step 2: Cut Your Tubings

  1. Measure the length that you'd like to cut using the ruler and mark your tubings with the indelible marker.
  2. Place the tube carefully under the blade of the tube cutter.
  3. Tighten the blade so that it is gently pushing into the tube.
  4. Turn the tube by hand to make a dent along the whole circumference.
  5. Tighten the blade a little further.
  6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the tube is cut.

Tip: Finalise (see next step) the side of the tube you will cut next for more precise measurements of each individual tube

Required tubes:

  • 3x 20cm
  • 9x 10cm

Step 3: Finalise Your Tubes

To finalise your tubes, and ensure that they are ready for use, you must:

  1. Insert the cylindrical tool (still don't know it's name...) to bring out a maximum of tube that was sent inwards during the cutting phase.
  2. File down the extra piece to have a smooth end (important so it doesn't cut the rope!).
  3. Clean out the parts of the tube which had indelible marker with alcohol (can be applied for any sticky part).

Step 4: Mount the Top Triangles

  1. Pull the thread for about 1.5m (do not cut it!!).
  2. Pass the thread through 1 long bar then 3 short bars.
  3. Pass the thread through the same long bar as in step 2.
  4. Repeat 3x (with the same thread!!).
  5. Cut the thread so you have a loose end on the short side of at least 10cm and 20cm longer than the length you will need to hang your creation of the long side.

Step 5: Mount the Bottom Triangle

Pass the thread through the bottom 3 triangles. Be careful of the order in which you pass. Keep the same order as when you prepared your top triangles.

Step 6: Close the Bottom Triangle

We will use a reef knot (noeud plat) to close the bottom triangle:

Let's consider thread 1 to be on the left and thread 2 on the right.

  1. Cross threads (thread 1 under thread 2 followed by thread 1 over thread 2).
  2. Tighten as much as possible.
  3. Cross threads again, but inversely (thread 1 under thread 2 followed by thready 2 over thread 1, but be careful because thread 1 is now on the right side since it's been crossed over once!).
  4. Tighten as much as possible.
  5. Tighten the complete knot.

To properly tighten this knot, pull on 2 threads that are on the same side on of the knot. Instead of pulling the 2 loose threads, pull on the thread coming out of the tube with the loose thread that is below it (on both side simultaneously).

Step 7: Secure the Bottom Knot

  1. Once your knot is properly tightened, burn it with the lighter.

BE CAREFUL If you burn it too hard, you'll cut through the thread and have to start again! Burn it just enough so that the threads melt on each other. Heat the knot up, remove the flame and squeeze the knot with your fingers (don't burn yourself)! Repeat if necessary.

2. Once the knot is melted tightly in place, cut the loose threads.

3. Burn the threads that you just cut so they don't dismantle on their own.

Step 8: Close the Top Triangles

We will use the half hitch knot (noeud demi-clé):
  1. Pass the loose short end under the long end.
  2. Come back over the long end and under the short end (creates a loop).
  3. Tighten by holding the long end up towards the ceiling and pulling the short end towards the table.
  4. Repeat steps 1 to 3.

Step 9: Secure the Top Knot

  1. Burn/melt the threads to keep the knot in place (CAREFUL NOT TO BURN TOO MUCH OR YOU WILL CUT THE THREAD).
  2. Once the knot is melted tightly in place, cut the loose threads.
  3. Burn the threads that you just cut so they don't dismantle on their own.

Step 10: Complete Hanger

You now have a hanger which is ready to be hung!

If you already have your pot, plant and soil, you can simply insert them in the triangles and hang everything.

Step 11: Let's Make It Hang on Its Own!

How you will hang your hanger depends on what you've got available. You could tie it around a curtain hanger, on a nail, etc.

I will show you how I've attached it to a hook for the Swiss rail curtain system. You can use this method to attach it to any kind of hook, or even to make a knot for a nail.

Before securing the hook knot, remember to check at which length you'd like your hanger to be from your fixing point!

I will use the bowline (noeud de chaise), which will be secured with 2 half-hitches (noeud de demi-clé):

  1. Pass the thread through the hook.
  2. On the long end, create a loop.
  3. Pass the loose end through the loop (from back to front).
  4. Pass the loose end over the long end.
  5. Pass the loose end under the long end.
  6. Pass through the loop (front to back).
  7. Pull the loose end towards the hook to tighten.
  8. Secure the knot doing 2 half hitches.