reading time: 11 min
One of the new hobbies I discovered during my blogging hiatus is doing macrame. Now, I'm certainly no expert at macrame, but this DIY is easy enough for beginners to follow.
Plus, it's slightly addictive, lol. Last year, I ended up making a total of 6 macrame rainbows over the span of two weeks. Admittedly, the reason for that being that various friends of mine had
either just had babies or were pregnant, so I wanted to create a little "welcome" gift for their newborns. But let's be honest - I also made a
couple of rainbows for myself, for no other reason than that I find them so cute and pretty
:')
The making of one such macrame rainbow takes about 2 hours, not counting the drying time for the glue. It's a nice opportunity to listen to an audiobook or a podcast while your hands are busy knotting. I find this to be quite meditative. You could also turn it into a fun social activity with your family or friends.
The making of one such macrame rainbow takes about 2 hours, not counting the drying time for the glue. It's a nice opportunity to listen to an audiobook or a podcast while your hands are busy knotting. I find this to be quite meditative. You could also turn it into a fun social activity with your family or friends.
Most macrame rainbows that I see online don't actually use a macrame technique, but instead wrap colourful strings around a piece of macrame cord. I personally don't really like the "sausage-y" look of the individual rainbow layers, so I was thrilled to finally find a German youtube tutorial for a macrame rainbow that uses a basic square knot to achieve beautifully textured rainbow layers. So all the credit for this technique goes to Emma from whom I adopted this!
YOU WILL NEED:
- macrame cord (I use 4 mm cord in a cream color)
- 3 to 5 colours of cotton yarn (e. g. blue, cream, pink, yellow)
- wire
- scissors
- a tape measure
- a C-clamp or masking tape
- a darning needle
- (optional) pliers for threading the needle
- wood glue or all-purpose adhesive
- a piece of string or masking tape
- a comb
Step 1 – Gather your materials
The amount of cord and cotton string you will need depends on how many rows of colour you want to have, how big or small you want your rainbow to be, and how thick your cotton yarn is. Here is what I used for my rainbow with 4 rows and measuring 17 cm x 22 cm:
- approx. 370 cm (3.7 m) of 4 mm macrame cord for the foundation
The amount of cord and cotton string you will need depends on how many rows of colour you want to have, how big or small you want your rainbow to be, and how thick your cotton yarn is. Here is what I used for my rainbow with 4 rows and measuring 17 cm x 22 cm:
- approx. 370 cm (3.7 m) of 4 mm macrame cord for the foundation
- 3 x 200 cm (6 m) of 2 mm blue cotton yarn for my 1st row
- 3 x 252 cm (7.56 m) of 2 mm beige cotton yarn for my 2nd row
- 3 x 308 cm (9.24 m) of 2 mm pink cotton yarn for my 3rd row
- 3 x 350 cm (10.5 m) of 2 mm yellow cotton yarn for my 4th row
- 3 x 350 cm (10.5 m) of 2 mm yellow cotton yarn for my 4th row
- approx. 90 cm of wire (I actually used leftover wire from way back when I made this DIY Love Bracelet – yay for hoarding, erm I mean zero waste!)
For the foundation of my first row I used two 40 cm pieces of my 4 mm macrame cord. For my first row I used three 200 cm pieces of 2 mm cotton yarn to achieve the desired thickness.
Don't panic if all these numbers seem confusing! If you are new to this, just follow my exact measurements until you are confident enough to deviate and do your own thing.
For the foundation of my first row I used two 40 cm pieces of my 4 mm macrame cord. For my first row I used three 200 cm pieces of 2 mm cotton yarn to achieve the desired thickness.
Don't panic if all these numbers seem confusing! If you are new to this, just follow my exact measurements until you are confident enough to deviate and do your own thing.
Step 2 – Build the base
For the base, we begin with the innermost rainbow layer, so this will be the smallest piece. Of course, you can decide how big or small you want your rainbow to be in the end. For mine, I used two pieces of 4 mm macrame cord the length of 40 mm that I arranged into an arch shape.
For the base, we begin with the innermost rainbow layer, so this will be the smallest piece. Of course, you can decide how big or small you want your rainbow to be in the end. For mine, I used two pieces of 4 mm macrame cord the length of 40 mm that I arranged into an arch shape.
Now place a piece of wire between the two pieces of cord. It should be a little longer than you want your first rainbow layer to be in the end. In my case the wire measured about 20 cm.
Attach one end of the wire to the cord using a piece of string or masking tape. I use string because it's reusable :)
Attach one end of the wire to the cord using a piece of string or masking tape. I use string because it's reusable :)
Step 3 – Start square-knotting
Firmly attach your "base" to something stable such as a tabletop. Most people use masking tape for this, but I prefer a C-clamp because a) it's reusable and therefore more sustainable, and b) it's easier to work with as it allows a firm grasp on the cords and wire.
Next you'll need the yarn for your first row. In my case that's three 200 cm pieces of 2 mm-thick baby blue cotton yarn.
Determine the midpoint of the blue yarn and use it as your starting point. Then start knotting, doing a simple square knot over and over again until you run out of yarn, and almost all of the wire is covered. If you aren't familiar with the square knot, simply follow a quick tutorial such as this one. It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
Try to make the knots as firmly and evenly as possible.
Next you'll need the yarn for your first row. In my case that's three 200 cm pieces of 2 mm-thick baby blue cotton yarn.
Determine the midpoint of the blue yarn and use it as your starting point. Then start knotting, doing a simple square knot over and over again until you run out of yarn, and almost all of the wire is covered. If you aren't familiar with the square knot, simply follow a quick tutorial such as this one. It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
Try to make the knots as firmly and evenly as possible.
Step 4 – Secure the ends
Once you've reached the end of your first rainbow row, secure it by threading your yarn through a large-eye needle and sewing it "back" through about three square knots. I use a darning needle and pliers for this. This part is a bit strenuous, but it will get you a nice and neat result.
Snip the yarn tails as closely as possible, and again use the darning needle or another pointy tool to push the cut ends of the yarn into the square knots to hide them. Also cut off the protruding wire using strong scissors.
Snip the yarn tails as closely as possible, and again use the darning needle or another pointy tool to push the cut ends of the yarn into the square knots to hide them. Also cut off the protruding wire using strong scissors.
Step 5 – Shape it
Ta-daa, now your first rainbow layer is done! It should resemble a more-or-less even blue sausage (or whatever colour you chose) which in my case measures 16 cm.
Shape it into a U-shape by gently bending it with your hands.
Shape it into a U-shape by gently bending it with your hands.
Step 6 – Repeat, repeat, repeat
Using your first rainbow row as a benchmark, place your next two base cords around it. Place another piece of wire between the cords, secure with string and C-clamp, and begin your next round of square-knotting.
Repeat this process for each of your rainbow rows, and watch your rainbow grow!
Repeat this process for each of your rainbow rows, and watch your rainbow grow!
And there you have it – all four rows lined up nicely. (the pink one is a tad too long, but oh well ...)
My second row measures about 18 cm, my third row measures about 23 cm, and my fourth row about 27 cm. The exact length isn't important – just make sure the different layers line up as evenly as possible.
Of course, you could also stop at three rows if you prefer the colour combination and the size of the rainbow at that point. Or you could even add a fifth or sixth layer, if you want a bigger rainbow.
My second row measures about 18 cm, my third row measures about 23 cm, and my fourth row about 27 cm. The exact length isn't important – just make sure the different layers line up as evenly as possible.
Of course, you could also stop at three rows if you prefer the colour combination and the size of the rainbow at that point. Or you could even add a fifth or sixth layer, if you want a bigger rainbow.
Step 7 – Glue it together
Once you're satisfied with the size and shape of your rainbow, it's time to glue it together. I use wood glue for this as it dries clear. You could also use all-purpose adhesive instead.
Arrange your rainbow rows on an underlay (I just used a plastic bag). Starting "inwards", glue each row to the next using only a thin line of wood glue. Gently press the rows as closely together as possible, making sure the ends line up nicely.
This next step is optional, but I suggest carefully but tightly wrapping the rainbow with three pieces of masking tape to ensure it holding its shape while drying.
Set aside to dry until the glue has turned completely transparent.
Arrange your rainbow rows on an underlay (I just used a plastic bag). Starting "inwards", glue each row to the next using only a thin line of wood glue. Gently press the rows as closely together as possible, making sure the ends line up nicely.
This next step is optional, but I suggest carefully but tightly wrapping the rainbow with three pieces of masking tape to ensure it holding its shape while drying.
Set aside to dry until the glue has turned completely transparent.
Step 8 – Trim and comb
Once the glue has dried, it's time for your rainbow to get a hair appointment!
Start by trimming the base cord to your preferred length. I left mine quite long, about the same length as the rainbow itself.
Use your fingers to unwrap the cord strings. This will leave your rainbow with beautiful wavy "hair". (A unicorn mane?)
For a fluffier "mane", gently comb through the strings. You could even straighten them using a hair straightener! I decided to leave them in loose waves instead.
Step 9 – Attach a hanger
Lastly, thread a piece of string through the back of your top row. I suggest either going for the same colour as the top row, or the colour of the wall. I went for the latter option, and used white string.
If you like, you could even add a decorative wooden bead to your string.
Step 10 – Hang up and admire
Now all that's left to do is hanging up your finished marame rainbow and admiring it as the fun and fabulous piece of handmade art that it is!
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