Wind chimes are beautiful additions to any home’s front porch. When a calming breeze wanders by, you’ll be serenaded with the beautiful sound.
If you’re considering making your own wind chime, there are some things you need to know.
So what is the best string for making wind chimes? The best string for making and repairing wind chimes is fishing line or braided cord. Both are very strong, durable and flexible enough to make super tight knots. The finer the line, the less noticeable it will be. However, a thicker line will be more durable and be able to hold more weight.
Keep reading to learn more about the best string for making wind chimes as well as how to make knots so that you can have a sturdy wind chime in no time.
The Best String for Making Wind Chimes
What your chimes are made of determines the diameter and strength of the line you need.
| Product | Review | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Singer Fishing Line | Best choice for lighter wind chimes |
| 2. | Davos Premium Cords Braided Cord | Best choice for heavy wind chimes |
When repairing a wind chime, keep in mind the diameter and size of the original cord and the existing holes. You don’t want to make the holes bigger. It’s easier if the cord fits through the holes that are already in the chimes.
1. Singer Fishing Line
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Fishing line is a great choice for making wind chimes because the string is durable but not noticeable, so you can have the illusion of the wind chimes hanging by themselves.
It’s a great choice for lighter wind chimes that require a touch of sophistication or minimalism that a strong braided chord wouldn’t be able to provide.
Imagine delicate colored glass wind chimes that basically beg for a delicate, barely noticeable thread to tie them all together.
This thread from Amazon is my favorite because of its durability and ability to be used to a plethora of projects apart from wind chime making.
2. Davos Premium Cords Braided Cord
Check current price on Amazon.
For your heartier wind chime making projects, we recommend a black braided cord for its timelessness and dependability.
This type of thread is perfect for heavier, sturdier wind chimes like big metal or wooden chimes that need a thread to support the weight and size of the chimes.
I recommend this braided thread on Amazon because it’s not only extra strong, but also beautiful and not too thick so the wind chimes will still steal the show.
There are other colors available, too, so be sure to check it out to find the perfect color for your wind chime project.
The Best Knots for Wind Chimes
Any fisherman’s knot will work great for making wind chimes. The most important part is to tie it securely. You can melt the end for extra security.
Here are a few knots you can try. Choose the one you like best, or use a different one for different projects – you decide.
Clinch Knot
- Thread the cord or fishing line through the hole in the tube or wood and then wrap the loose end of the line around the first line about 5 to 7 times.
- Take the loose end (long end) of the line and thread it through the innermost loop (the one closest to the opening of the hole). Then take it back through and around the inside of the loose section.
- Pull the two ends together until good and tight. The line may be slippery, so this could be tricky. You might want to use pliers to get it very tight.
- Trim away the excess line or cord, if necessary. Melt the end for extra security.
Palomar Knot
- Fold a section of the line or cord to create a loop. Push the loop through the hole in the tube of the wind chime.
- Tie an overhand knot, loosely. This is just a simple knot.
- Pass the loop over the top of the wind chime.
- Pull the line tight. Pliers can help get the knot tight enough.
- Trim off the excess, if needed, and melt the end for an added hold.
Surgeon Loop Knot
- Fold a section of the line or cord to make a double line. At the end of the shorter section, tie a single, loose knot. You now have a loop.
- Push the loop through the hole you created with the loose knot.
- Slightly moisten the knot and pull tight.
Always allow plenty of extra fishing line or cord when tying the wind chimes. It’s much easier to trim off any excess than it is to stretch the line if it is too short.
How to Make Wind Chimes
Wind chimes are typically made from tubes, bells, crystals, rods, shells, beads or other objects suspended from one base. The base can also be made of any type of material – wood, metal, or anything you choose.
They make the perfect outdoor accessory to you garden, porch, balcony or terrace. When the wind gently passes through the chimes, you are greeted with a variety of delightfully soothing sounds.
Make one yourself and you aren’t limited to the usual styles, sizes or materials. Create something wonderful!
The Step-By-Step Guide to Making Wind Chimes
The first step is deciding on a shape, pattern or style and the materials you wish to use. Although the chimes come in a large variety of shapes and sizes, they all have one thing common – they must be attached to a base with a strong string, fishing line or wind chime cord. And that is why they all come with a hole.
If you are really working from scratch, you will have to make these holes yourself. A small drill, slightly larger than the size of the hole you need, is all it takes.
The size of the hole depends on the diameter of your cord. You want the cord to have a bit of wiggle room, but not too much. Carefully drill a hole near the top of each of the objects you plan to include in your chime.
The base or mount needs to have enough holes for each of your chimes. Five or six chimes is a good number.
Drill holes in your mount, evenly spaced to allow your chimes room to flow with the wind. Most wind chimes are made with the chimes hanging around the outer rim.
String up each of your chimes by tying your line securely through the hole. You can tie the end off by itself, allowing the knot to hold the chime. Or tie the end around the object. The heavier the object, the more secure you need the knot to be.
A simple slip through knot might not hold heavy objects as well or last as long. Which method you choose is up to you.
Make the stings different lengths for added effect. Wind chimes that are all the same length look great, too. But ones that hang at different lengths tend to look and sound better.
In the end, the choice is yours. There is no ‘wrong’ way.
Now take your base and tie the other end of the line on each chime to the base. You can have the knot tied at the top of the base or around the outer edge.
For a top knot, pass the line through the hole and tie a secure knot on the end. If you are tying around the edge, pass the line through the hole and make the knot at the edge of the mount. Top knots should be larger than the hole so they won’t slip through.
Over time, the weight of the chime could loosen the knot or stretch the line, allowing the chime to fall right through. Knotting around the edge of the mount usually lasts longer, but there are no guarantees.
The tightness of your knot, wear and tear from the weather and all sorts of other factors could weaken your line and cause your chimes to fall off.
To repair a chime that has fallen off, simply repeat the same steps you took to secure the chimes in the first place. Hopefully the chime didn’t break in the fall. If it did, you will have to replace the chime.
Most wind chimes have a weight or conduit in the center of the chimes. Since the chimes form a circle on the outer edge of the base, the chimes might not clang together in a methodical fashion. The center weight ensures a sweet, mellow sound.
This usually isn’t necessary with a spiral wind chime since the spiral effect allows the chimes to swing into each other, but other types will probably need some type of center piece.
You simply attach it to the base the same way as the chimes. The different is that it is heavier than the chimes.
Another option is threading a piece of cord through holes near the bottom of the chimes. This ‘joins’ the chimes so they have to clang together in the wind.
How to Clean Wind Chimes
Wind chimes hang outdoors, which means they are exposed to all types of weather such as heat, rain, hail, snow, and sleet. Over time, this can tarnish, damage or discolor the material. Whatever type of material you use, it can become unsightly after a while.
Bird droppings, acid rain, leaves and flying debris can all mess up the great look of any material, some more than others. Though most of these factors won’t affect the way the wind chimes work, they can cause them to lose their beauty and appeal.
This can be more bothersome if you have them hanging in front of your house for all to see.
How to Clean Wood Wind Chimes
To clean wooden wind chimes, first, remove large debris and bird droppings with a clean cloth. Polish the chimes with your favorite lemon or teak oil cleaner.
Caring for wooden wind chimes is basically the same as caring for any of your wood furniture. You might not have to clean them as often as your coffee table, but an occasional cleaning never hurts.
How to Clean Aluminum Wind Chimes
If your wind chimes are powder-coated aluminum, you can simply clean them with a bit of soap and water. Any type of soap is fine. You can use regular all-purpose cleaner, laundry soap, or dish soap.
You might want to use different cleaning products on chimes with glass, stone or stainless steel accents, but generally, any soap will work.
How to Clean Metal Wind Chimes
Scrub off the worst of the dirt and wash the chimes with soap and water.
Dry each one thoroughly and spray the metal with WD-40 or some other type of lubricant to prevent water stains and rust. If you like, you can wax the chimes for added protection.
