Free DIY Macrame Rainbow

April 22, 2020 0 Comments

Free DIY Macrame Rainbow

Hello and Welcome. 
I have created a free Macrame Rainbow pattern for you to get your creative juices running. This is a fun one to begin with if you are new to macrame but i warn you, it is highly fun, addictive and you'll be wanting more soon! If so, reach out! I am a Visual Arts Teacher who specialises in fibre art, I have taught thousands of creatives both in person and online the joy of handmade, encouraging you to lean into that niggle of colour and craft. 

Step One: Gather Materials.

• 2.4metres of 20mm Twisted Cotton Rope
  (You can use other thicknesses however this is great for a sturdy full finish)
• 80m of Art Yarn (this is deliciously soft and fluffy)
  Single strand macrame cotton is also great for this.
• Tape Measure
• Scissors
• A large eye needle, thick enough to thread the chunky yarn through
• A curved needle or our Large 'Sword' Sewing Needle
• Tape measure
• Sewing thread
• Comb

Step Two: Prepare your fibre materials.

Rope:
Lay it flat to form the shape of a rainbow prior to cutting to avoid waste.
Once you have your shape, cut into x5 pieces.
We will use the following lengths from outside to inside curve in our rainbow.

64cm – 56cm – 48cm – 40cm – 34cm

Thick Yarn:
I have chosen to use five different colours for a fun effect. This yarn will wrap around you rope to create a textured effect. 
We will use the following lengths from outside to inside curve in our rainbow.

14m – 13m – 12m – 11m – 10m

You can use any yarn here, if it is thinner than shown you will need to add additional length, if doing so, its advised to work straight from the ball and not snip your lengths.
I have used a fun Cotton Frizz ribbon in natural to add fun texture, interest and articulation to this rainbow. Have fun, experiment with your yarn collection or visit a thrift shop to see what treasures you can find!

Step Three: Attaching Yarn to Rope

• Take the fibre materials for your large rainbow curve
• Leave 2cm from the end of your rope and attach your yarn with an overhand knot. Leave the tail facing back towards the rope length.

• Take the Yarn in your hand and commence wrapping it firmly ‘around and around’ around the rope, on top of the yarn tail, covering it up completely.
  For best result, ensure that your wrapping technique is neat and consistent.

• Continue this wrapping technique along the entire length of rope until you come to the end. Leave a 2cm distance of rope visible.
• Thread your yarn through the large eye needle. Sew a stitch back through your last wrapping rotation. Repeat this x3 times to secure your yarn in place.

• Now thread the needle and yarn back up under and through your rainbow curve, covering around 3-4cm. This hides and secures your yarn. Snip the remaining tail once complete.

• Take your wrapped curve and gently shape it back to its rainbow shape.

You may be able to slightly see your initial overhand knot and the snipped tail; this is the back of your piece and will not be on display.

• Now we repeat this action, wrapping all five curves. Once complete lay them all together and gently manipulate their resting shape before we sew them together.

Step Four: Sewing your curves together

Ensure that you are working on the back of your piece
Take your small curved needle and a length of cotton thread; you will sew every rainbow to its neighbour. Ensure your tension is tight, we wish for the curves to be as close as can be to each other.
If you do not have a curved needle a regular one will be fine, however a curved one works magic here.

Step Five: Finishing your Rainbow

Take your comb and brush out the unwrapped 20mm rope that is at the bottom of your rainbow. The fluffier the better! Snip to suit your desired look.

If you wish, sew a small split ring at the back of your rainbow to hang.

And that’s it!
What a beautiful creation you've crafted. What colour will you do next!?

I know you will love your work. Once you have made one i know you will want more! Try switching up your chosen fibres to create a new look. Or change the shape of your rainbow to create a more personalised look. Once you are confident with this technique it is time to have some fun with the fibres, there are hundreds to choose from with all the colours of the rainbow available!
I recommend trying a silk, cotton string and metallic next. Personalising your fibre art is where the fun begins.

If you want to take the decision out of it we have a ready-to-go macrame rainbow kit here, this is jam-packed full of fibres and a printable patter (what a great gift too!)

If you are looking to explore macrame further (ps; I don't blame you!) 
I have lots of easy to follow step-by-step patterns, DIY Macrame ready to go kits and the largest range of speciality fibre supplies in Australia to help you on your way. 
And as a thank you for reading this blog and trusting your gut feeling to create.. feel free to use the code RAINBOW at the checkout for 5% off your first order storewide ;)

Happy Making,
Brydie

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