Outdoor Macrame Projects: Swing Chair & More PDF

Macramé first earned its place outdoors, on ships and in hammocks, and it still looks at home on a porch or under a tree. Macramé for Garden & Outdoor is a focused 64-page book of six outdoor macrame projects, from a quick birdfeeder to a full swinging chair.

The headline project: a macramé swinging chair

The swinging chair is the most ambitious build in the collection's outdoor range. It uses two steel rings, 90 cm and 60 cm in diameter, wrapped in 6 mm cotton cord, and a seat and back knotted from 8 mm cotton cord cut into carefully listed groups of lengths, some as long as 12 meters. The instructions cover wrapping and joining the rings, attaching cords with lark's head knots, tying square knots around the rings and building the hanger that connects the chair to its hook. It is a weekend-scale project that rewards patience.

Five more outdoor macrame projects

Macramé birdfeeder: a small dish suspended from a wooden ring with cotton cord or jute twine, with optional beads. A quick, satisfying make.
Large porch chandelier: a dramatic hanging piece using dozens of 4 mm cords in several lengths.
Outdoor hanging lanterns: knotted covers for lanterns to light a patio or garden path.
Macramé plant pod: a cozy hanging holder for a trailing plant.
3-tier plant hanger: three plants stacked in a single vertical hanger, ideal for small balconies.

Planning for outdoor use

Each pattern lists ring sizes, cord thickness and exact cut lengths in metric and imperial units, along with tools such as a tailor tape, glue and hanging hardware. For pieces that bear weight, particularly the chair, use strong cord and properly rated hooks, check your knots, and bring cotton pieces under cover in wet weather to help them last. Save the PDF to your phone so you can check measurements while shopping for rings and hardware.

Frequently asked questions

How difficult is the swinging chair?

It is the most demanding project in this book because of its size and the amount of cord involved. The knots themselves are familiar ones such as lark's head and square knots, but you need space, patience and careful measuring. Try the birdfeeder or plant pod first if you are new to large pieces.

What hardware do I need for the chair?

The pattern lists two steel rings, a hanging hook, glue, a tailor tape and a 50 to 55 cm stick, along with the cotton cords. Make sure the hook and mounting point are rated for the weight they will carry, and test the finished chair gradually before relaxing in it.

Will cotton cord survive outdoors?

Cotton is soft and easy to knot but can fade, stretch or mildew if left in rain. Many makers bring cotton pieces under cover in wet weather or hang them on a covered porch. For permanent outdoor placement, you may prefer a weather-resistant synthetic cord of similar thickness.