Beginner · Knot guide

Gathering Knot

Plant Hanger Tops. A gathering knot is a wrap knot used at the top of a plant hanger. It binds all the cords together so the hanger has a single suspension point.

How to tie it

1 Why this knot matters
A gathering knot is a wrap knot used at the top of a plant hanger. It binds all the cords together so the hanger has a single suspension point. Take five minutes to practice it on scrap cord before you start any project that uses it — a clean version of this knot will visibly elevate your finished piece, and a sloppy one will pull the whole project down with it.
2 Step 1
After mounting your cords on a ring, gather all the cords below the ring.
3 Step 2
Apply a wrap knot 1 to 2 inches below the ring, using a separate cord 24 inches long.
4 Step 3
Wrap tightly so the bundle is fully compressed. Eight to ten wraps usually look balanced.
5 Step 4
Trim the wrap-knot tails so they disappear into the bundle.
6 Step 5
The cords should now hang as a single column from the ring before splitting into the hanger arms.
7 Common mistakes
The two most common ways this knot goes wrong: inconsistent tension between knots, and accidentally swapping which cord plays which role. Mark your working cords with a piece of tape until the muscle memory takes over. After a dozen practice repetitions on scrap cord, your hands will know what to do without looking.
8 Where to use it next
Once you have this knot down, every pattern on StitchVault that lists it in its Knots section will feel approachable. Start small — try it in a keychain or coaster project — before scaling up to a wall hanging or curtain. The knot itself is identical at any scale; only the cord length and patience required change.