Learn how to make a pine cone swag with rope, wire, greens, and ribbon. This step by step guide shows you how to build a simple, elegant pine cone swag for doors, mirrors, and walls, plus tips on styling, storage, and reuse year after year.
How to Make a Pine Cone Swag: A Simple, Beautiful Alternative to a Wreath
If you love the cozy look of natural holiday decor but do not want to wrestle with a perfectly balanced wreath, a pine cone swag is your new best friend. It is simple, fast, and forgiving. You are not chasing symmetry, you do not have to fill a full circle, and you still get that rich, festive look with ribbon and greens.
This guide walks you through exactly how to make a pine cone swag using rope, pine cones, floral wire, a bit of greenery, and ribbon. The project is genuinely beginner friendly and, done once, your pine cone swag can be reused for years with only the greens refreshed.
Whether you hang it on a mirror, a front door, or a sun porch, this is the kind of holiday project that looks high end but takes under an hour.
Why Choose a Pine Cone Swag Instead of a Wreath
Before we get into the steps, it helps to understand why so many decorators reach for a pine cone swag instead of a traditional wreath.
Less pressure, more charm
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A wreath demands perfect balance and a full, even shape.
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A swag is naturally asymmetrical and relaxed, so it is much more forgiving.
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You are creating a vertical cascade, not a perfect circle, so gaps and small irregularities simply look organic.
Easier and faster to make
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Wiring a full wreath ring can take a long time.
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A pine cone swag is essentially one rope base with pine cones wired down its length.
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With a bit of practice, you can make one in 20–30 minutes. Two swags in under an hour is realistic.
Flexible placement
A pine cone swag works beautifully:
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On front doors
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On interior doors
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Hanging from a mirror
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On an entry wall or stairway
Where wreaths can look bulky, swags feel sleek and vertical, which suits narrow doors and tall mirrors.
Reusable structure
Fresh greens will dry out and need replacing, but pine cones and the rope base will:
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Keep their shape
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Store easily
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Look good for years if kept dry
You are building a base that you can refresh each season with new greens and ribbon without starting from scratch.
Materials You Need to Make a Pine Cone Swag
Here is a simple checklist to build your pine cone swag. You can adjust the quantities to match the size you want.
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Rope
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A thicker rope works best as the swag “spine”
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Easier to hold and wrap wire around than thin twine
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Pine cones
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Any type, any size
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Long, slim cones give a classic, elegant look
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Around 25–30 pine cones is ideal for a full swag
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Paddle wire
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24 gauge floral or paddle wire
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Flexible enough to twist around pine cones and rope
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Strong enough to hold everything in place
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Pruners or wire cutters
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To cut greens and wire
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Scissors
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For trimming ribbon and rope
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Greens (optional but recommended)
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Sprays of arborvitae, cedar, spruce, pine, or similar
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Winterberry holly or other berried branches for color
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Ribbon
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Wired ribbon is easiest for bow shaping
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Plaid or solid red for a classic Christmas pine cone swag
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Step 1: Create the Rope Base and Hanging Loop
Every pine cone swag needs a simple backbone. Rope is ideal because it is sturdy, easy to grip, and disappears behind the cones.
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Cut a length of rope longer than you think you need.
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It is easier to trim later than to extend a too short piece.
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Tie a loop at one end.
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This will be your hanging point for a command hook, nail, or wreath hanger.
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Do not worry if the loop is oversized at this stage, you can adjust it at the end.
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Lay the rope flat on your work surface.
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The looped end at the top, the long tail below.
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This is the base for your pine cone swag.
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Step 2: Wire Each Pine Cone Individually
This is the part that sounds tedious on paper but gets very quick once you find your rhythm.
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Cut a length of 24 gauge paddle wire for each cone.
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Wrap the wire around the top of the pine cone, just under the upper scales.
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Tuck the wire between the scales so it is hidden.
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Pull the two wire ends together and twist to secure.
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You are essentially giving each cone its own wire “stem” so you can attach it firmly to the rope.
Pro tip:
Use the larger, heavier cones as the bottom layer and the smaller or slimmer cones as the top, stacked layer. It gives your pine cone swag a tapered, natural shape.
Step 3: Attach the First Layer of Pine Cones to the Rope
Now you start building the pine cone swag from the bottom up.
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Take your first wired cone and lay it at the very bottom of the rope tail.
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Wrap the wire tightly around the rope, going up the rope several turns.
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Then wrap back down over the previous turns.
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This double wrapping locks the cone in place.
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Repeat this process:
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Place the next cone slightly above and to one side of the first.
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Wire it firmly.
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Add a third cone slightly on the opposite side so the bottom of the swag forms a soft point or triangle.
You should start to see a gentle V shape at the tip, rather than a blunt end.
Step 4: Build Up the Body of the Swag and Stack Cones
As you move up the rope, the pine cone swag should gradually widen, then softly taper again toward the top.
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Continue wiring cones along the rope, alternating sides.
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Angle some cones slightly outward for a fuller look.
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Do not worry if bits of rope show; later layers will cover them.
To avoid a flat, one dimensional appearance, start stacking cones on top of each other:
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Wire a cone as before.
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Lay it directly over a gap between lower cones.
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Wrap the wire around the rope and over your previous wire wraps.
This stacking gives depth and hides the rope. Once the swag is hanging, you can gently adjust the cones because the wire has a little flexibility.
Keep going until you have covered the rope up to where you want the greens and bow to sit. Leave some space under the loop for that finishing cluster.
Step 5: Adjust the Loop and Prepare for Greens
Once your pine cones are all wired on:
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Revisit the top loop of the rope.
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If it feels too long, untie and re tie it shorter.
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Leave a small gap between the loop knot and the top cones.
This open space is where your greens and bow will sit, hiding the mechanical parts and finishing the look of the pine cone swag.
If you have a long rope tail above the loop, you can tuck it behind the swag when hanging.
Step 6: Add Greens for Texture and Color
Technically, you could stop at a fully pine cone swag, but a few sprigs of greenery take it from simple to special.
Good choices include:
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Arborvitae branches
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Cedar or spruce tips
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Winterberry holly or other berry stems
To attach greens:
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Cut small sprays of greens with pruners.
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Wire each piece individually just as you did with the pine cones.
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Position the greens right under the loop, fanning outward and slightly downward.
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Wrap the wire tightly around the rope, tucking stems into the pine cones.
You can layer:
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A base of soft green foliage for texture
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A few berried stems on top for color and contrast
This hides any visible rope or wire and frames the bow that will sit in front.
Step 7: Tie and Attach the Ribbon Bow
The bow is the final focal point of your pine cone swag. Wired ribbon makes it easy to shape and fluff.
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Cut a piece of ribbon long enough for two tails and several loops.
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Decide how long you want the tails to hang and pinch the ribbon at that point.
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Form a loop, bring it back to the pinch, then form a loop on the other side.
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Continue until you have 4 or more loops.
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Use a short length of paddle wire to cinch the bow at the pinch point.
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Twist the wire tightly at the back of the bow.
Now attach the bow:
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Place it just under the loop, over the stems of the greens.
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Use the remaining wire tails to fasten it to the rope.
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Fluff the loops and curve the tails so they drape naturally over the swag.
A classic red plaid bow looks especially good against natural cones and green foliage, but you can switch colors for different seasons.
Step 8: Hang, Adjust, and Enjoy
To move and hang your pine cone swag without crushing it:
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Slide a piece of cardboard under the swag and lift from the top loop.
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Hang it on a door using a command hook, nail, or wreath hanger.
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Once it is hanging, gently adjust cones, greens, and ribbon.
The beauty of this design is that once it is upright, the pine cones settle into place and the swag gains its full, dimensional shape. Any minor gaps vanish as everything relaxes and overlaps.
Many people find that a pair of swags on double doors looks even better than one, and since each swag is relatively quick to make, crafting two is very realistic.
How to Store and Reuse Your Pine Cone Swag
One of the big advantages of a pine cone swag is that it is largely reusable.
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The pine cones and rope base will last for years.
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Ribbon can be unwired, rolled, and stored separately.
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Greens will eventually dry and can be replaced next season.
To store:
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Remove or leave the greens, depending on condition.
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Gently wrap the swag in tissue or place in a long, shallow box.
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Keep it in a dry place to prevent mold or mildew on the natural materials.
Next year, simply refresh the greens and, if you like, change the ribbon color. The underlying pine cone swag structure will still be ready to go.
FAQs About Making a Pine Cone Swag
How many pine cones do I need for one swag?
For a medium length pine cone swag suitable for a standard front door, plan on 25–30 cones. You can use fewer for a slimmer look or more for a very full, dramatic cascade.
Do I need to bake or treat the pine cones first?
If your cones are freshly collected outdoors, you can:
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Let them dry naturally for a few days, or
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Bake them at low temperature for a short time to help them open and drive off insects.
Make sure they are completely dry and fully opened before using them.
Can I use artificial greens instead of fresh?
Yes. Artificial greens are:
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Low maintenance
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Long lasting
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Great if the swag will hang indoors in a warm, dry room
Fresh greens look and smell wonderful but will eventually dry and may need replacing each year.
Can I hang a pine cone swag outside?
Absolutely. A pine cone swag works very well on exterior doors and porches. Just make sure:
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It is secured well, especially in windy areas.
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Greens are hardy enough for your climate.
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Ribbon is suitable for outdoor use if exposed to rain or snow.
How long does it take to make a pine cone swag?
Once your supplies are ready, an average swag takes about 20-30 minutes. After a bit of practice, making two in under an hour is very achievable.
If you have ever felt intimidated by wreath making, a pine cone swag is your perfect low stress alternative. It is simple, natural, and easy to customize.
Gather your pine cones, cut a length of rope, and try wiring just three or four cones today. Once you see the basic shape form, the rest of the swag builds itself.
If you want help adapting this design for a specific door, mirror, or color scheme, tell me:
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Where you plan to hang your pine cone swag
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What colors you like
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Whether you prefer fresh or artificial greens
I can help you sketch out a custom version that fits your home and your style.
