I will try to describe the amish ones I have seen that might work for you.
Some amish barns have a large overhang and they have clotheslines under them, but they fold up so you aren't running into them when the clothing isn't on it.
It is a 1x1 maybe 8inches with a hole drilled into it that the line runs through, then where it attaches to the ceiling, it has a hinge of sorts, and a way to hook it back up there, maybe a ooh and an eye type of thing. I have no idea if written out it makes sense, but it is really cool, I want to do it on our covered porch.