If you have fallen in love with the art of macrame, you know how addictive it is to turn simple knots into beautiful creations. For those looking to blend botanical beauty with bohemian charm, a Macrame Lantern Flower Pattern is the perfect next project.
Inspired by the delicate, papery husks of the Chinese Lantern flower (Physalis), these designs create stunning three-dimensional shapes that can be used as wall hangings, plant hangers, or even light covers.
This guide is filled with stunning DIY designs to spark your creativity, whether you are just starting your macrame journey or are a seasoned knotter looking for a new challenge.
We will explore 12 different patterns that capture the unique, whimsical shape of the lantern flower. So, grab your macrame cord, find a cozy corner, and let’s get knotting!
1. The Classic Lantern Pod Hanger
This design is the quintessential Macrame Lantern Flower Pattern. It creates a single, three-dimensional pod that is perfect for holding a small air plant or just serving as a beautiful decorative object on its own.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Tips: This pattern relies heavily on gathering knots (like the wrap knot) and alternating square knots to create the rounded, puffy shape. Start with a solid wooden ring and work your way down, increasing and then decreasing your knots to form the pod. Using a high-quality, soft cord like {Bochiknot 3mm Macrame Cord} is ideal, as it’s easy on the hands and creates clean, defined knots.
2. The Simple Lantern Keychain
Want to practice the technique on a smaller scale? A keychain is the perfect mini-project. It allows you to master the pod-making knots without committing to a large wall hanging.
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Tips: You will use the same principles as the classic pod but with fewer cords and smaller dimensions. Attach your cords to a keychain clasp and create a miniature pod about 1-2 inches long. This is a great way to use up scrap cord from other projects.
3. The Lantern Flower Garland
This design strings multiple lantern pods together to create a stunning garland. It is perfect for draping over a fireplace mantel, a headboard, or a window.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Tips: Create several individual lantern pods (5-7 is a good number). Instead of finishing each with a tassel, leave long tails. Use these tails to tie each pod onto a central, long cord. You can even alternate pod sizes or use dip-dyed cord for an ombre effect.
4. The Lantern Light Cover
This is where the “lantern” name truly comes to life. This pattern is designed to be a cover for a string of lights or a single pendant light, casting beautiful, patterned shadows.
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Tips: Safety first! Only use this with cool-burning LED lights. The pattern needs to be more open and net-like than a dense pod to allow light to shine through. Using a metal hoop or a {Lamp Shade Ring Set} at the top and bottom will help the lantern hold its shape perfectly.
5. Flat-Weave Lantern Wall Art
If you are not ready to tackle 3D shapes, you can create the illusion of a lantern flower using a flat-weave pattern. This design uses different knot densities to create a silhouette of the flower.
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Tips: Mount your cords on a dowel rod. Use square knots to create the “stem” and then switch to diagonal clove hitch knots to outline the heart-like shape of the lantern pod. Leave the inside of the pod shape open or fill it with looser, decorative knots.
6. The Double-Decker Plant Hanger
This functional design incorporates two lantern pods stacked vertically to hold two small plants. It is a great space-saver for apartment dwellers with a growing plant collection.
- Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
- Tips: This requires careful planning to ensure the structure is balanced. After creating the top pod, use the cords from its base to begin the second pod directly below it. Using a sturdy, all-purpose cord is essential for holding the weight of two pots.
7. The Colorful Dip-Dyed Lantern
The real Chinese lantern flower is known for its vibrant orange-red color. You can replicate this by dip-dyeing your finished macrame pod.
- Difficulty: Intermediate (includes dyeing)
- Tips: Create your lantern pod using natural, undyed cotton cord. Once complete, dip the bottom half into a dye bath. {Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye} in a shade like “Sunshine Orange” works beautifully. The color will wick up the fibers, creating a gorgeous ombre effect. Let it dry completely before hanging.
8. The Beaded Lantern Pod
Incorporate wooden beads to add another layer of texture and rustic charm to your design. Beads can be used as accents within the knotting or as a decorative “stamen” inside the pod.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Tips: String large-hole wooden beads onto your center cords before you start knotting. You can also create a small tassel with a bead at the top and hang it inside the finished pod. A {Large Hole Wooden Bead Assortment} gives you plenty of options for size and color.
9. The Open-Weave Fruit Hammock
This is a practical and beautiful take on the Macrame Lantern Flower Pattern. Create a large, open-weave pod shape to serve as a hanging fruit hammock in your kitchen.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Tips: The key here is to use larger gaps between your knots to create a net-like structure. This allows air to circulate around the fruit. Make sure you use a thick, durable cord to support the weight of apples, oranges, or avocados.
10. The Micro-Macrame Lantern Earrings
Take the pattern to a micro level by creating delicate earrings. This requires a steady hand and a love for tiny details.
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Tips: You will need to use a very thin cord, such as waxed polyester or embroidery floss. A {Macrame Board for Jewelry Making} can be incredibly helpful for holding the tiny cords in place while you work. Attach the finished mini-pods to earring hooks for a unique, handmade accessory.
11. The Asymmetrical Wall Hanging
Instead of a symmetrical garland, create a more organic wall hanging by attaching lantern pods of various sizes to a piece of driftwood at different heights.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Tips: The beauty of this design is in its imperfection. Let some cords hang longer than others and mix in some simple braids or spiral knots between the pods. This creates a free-flowing, natural piece of art.
12. The Lantern and Tassel Chandelier
For a true bohemian showstopper, combine multiple lantern pods with long, flowing tassels to create a mobile or chandelier.
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Tips: Start with a large metal hoop as your base. Hang your finished lantern pods from the hoop at different levels. Then, create long, luxurious tassels and hang them in between the pods. To get those tassels perfectly neat, a good pair of {Fiskars Premier Fabric Shears} is essential for a clean, sharp cut at the bottom.
Conclusion
The Macrame Lantern Flower Pattern is a wonderfully versatile concept that can be adapted to any skill level or home decor style. From tiny keychains to elaborate light fixtures, the unique pod shape adds a touch of natural elegance and handmade charm to any project.
We hope these 12 designs have inspired you to pick up your cord and try something new. The best part of macrame is making a pattern your own, so do not be afraid to experiment with colors, beads, and sizes. Happy knotting!
Recommended Products Summary
| Product Name | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| {Bochiknot 3mm Macrame Cord} | A soft, high-quality cord that is gentle on hands and defines knots well. |
| {Lamp Shade Ring Set} | Provides a sturdy frame for creating a perfectly shaped lantern light cover. |
| {Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye} | Ideal for dip-dyeing pods to achieve a beautiful, vibrant ombre effect. |
| {Large Hole Wooden Bead Assortment} | Adds rustic, textural detail to your lantern flower designs. |
| {Macrame Board for Jewelry Making} | Essential for holding tiny cords in place when making micro-macrame earrings. |
| {Fiskars Premier Fabric Shears} | Provides a clean, sharp cut for creating perfectly uniform tassels. |
