How to make a Macrame Rainbow

April 22, 2020 0 Comments

Step One
Gather Materials.

• 2.2metres of 20mm Twisted Cotton Rope
  (You can use other thicknesses however this is great for a sturdy full finish)
• 60m 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 
• 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!

Fibre Materials	Large Curve                         -to-                              Small Curve
Rope	64cm	56cm	48cm	40cm	34cm
Yarn	14m	13m	12m	11m	10m

 

 

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 J
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 have many step-by-step patterns and a large variety of fibre supplies available on my website if you wish to explore fibre arts more. Enjoy 15% off your first purchase within my store with the code RAINBOWDIY at checkout.
Happy Making,
Brydie

  

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