Welcome to a little creating. This post will show you how to make a mini macramé rainbow using 5mm cord and embroidery thread. This is a lovely small craft project and you can choose your own rainbow colours to match your theme, nature table, room decor or handmade gift.
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In this project I have used three arches to make my rainbow. However you can do as many arches as you like. Each time start with the inner most rainbow arch and work outwards. See my tip on cord lengths below.
Mini Macramé Rainbows: What You Need & Tips
- 5mm macramé cord or rope
- Embroidery thread in three colours
- Needle and sewing thread
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors – you need a decent pair of scissors to cut through the macrame cord/ rope
- Ruler or tape measure
- Optional: thimble
If you’re UK based like me then check out The Range for macrame products. They can be very reasonably priced. Sometimes I find the items that I want for a project inside a different kit. The same can be the case for Hobbycraft and their resources and kits.
Cord Lengths
For this mini rainbow you will make three arches. Each arch uses two pieces of 5mm cord held together and wrapped as one.
Start with:
- Inner arch: 2 pieces of 5mm cord, each 12cm long
- Middle arch: 2 pieces of 5mm cord, around 14cm long
- Outer arch: 2 pieces of 5mm cord, around 17cm long
Top Tip: Start by cutting the 12cm inner arch first. Don’t cut all the other lengths straight away. Once each arch is wrapped, check and measure the next arch against it so you can adjust the length if needed.
Hobbycraft Summer Sale
If you’re UK based like me then you may be interested in the current Hobbycraft promotion. I always like to stock up on some of our crafting essentials when there are great offers like this.
Summer Savers NOW LIVE! Offer: Get £5 off £20 (online and stores) and £10 off £40 (online only). You can find the code and more information here. Dates: 11th – 24th June. T&Cs apply.
Mini Macramé Rainbow Step by Step Instructions
Below you will find step by step instructions. Download the free instructions to get images with each stage of the make.
Make the First Mini Macrame Rainbow Arch
- Cut two pieces of 5mm cord to 12cm for your smallest inner rainbow arch.
- Hold the two pieces of cord together so they sit neatly side by side.
- Thread your first colour embroidery thread onto a tapestry needle.
- Push the tapestry needle through both pieces of 5mm cord near one end, around 1.5cm in. This joins the two pieces together and helps secure your embroidery thread.
- Pull the embroidery thread through, remove the needle and tie a knot to secure the thread.
- Leave around 1.5cm of the macramé cord showing at the end. This will become the fringe at the bottom of your rainbow.
- Tuck the short tail end of embroidery thread upwards along the cord.
- Begin wrapping the embroidery thread around the two pieces of cord together. As you wrap, cover the tucked-up tail end so it is hidden inside the wrapping.
- Keep wrapping neatly. Try not to overlap the embroidery thread. Aim for a single, even wrap each time.
- Continue wrapping until you are around 1.5cm from the other end of the cord. This should match the gap you left at the start.
- Tie a knot in the embroidery thread to secure it.
- Cut the embroidery thread, but leave enough length so you can thread it back onto your tapestry needle. Use the tapestry needle to insert the embroidery thread back up into the rainbow arch.
- Bring the needle out at another point and snip off the extra thread close to the rainbow.
- Shape your first arch into a small rainbow curve. This often happens quite naturally as you work.
Make the Second Mini Macrame Rainbow Arch
- Now measure your next two pieces of 5mm cord against the inner arch. This will help you check that the middle arch will sit neatly around it. For this rainbow, the middle arch is around 14cm.
- Repeat the same wrapping process for the middle arch using your second embroidery thread colour.
- Once the middle arch is finished, shape it around the inner arch to check the fit.
Make the Last Mini Macrame Rainbow Arch
- Measure and cut the two pieces for your outer arch. For this rainbow, the outer arch is around 17cm.
- Repeat the same wrapping process for the outer arch using your third embroidery thread colour.
- When all three rainbow arches are made, place them together in order: smallest arch inside, middle arch next, outer arch on the outside. Don’t worry about trimming just yet.
- Turn the rainbow over so you are working on the reverse side.
- Thread a sewing needle with thread and tie a knot. You could use the tapestry needle and embroidery thread, but it is much easier to use something thinner for this part of the project. Hide the end of the thread by going up through the inner arch first.
- Sew the arches together from the back. Push the needle through all three arches, then turn and sew back through them again a little further down the arc.
- Keep sewing back and forth through the arches until you reach the other end of the rainbow. The tension will determine the width of your rainbow.
- Add a loop of thread, cord or embroidery thread to the top if you’d like to hang your rainbow.
- Trim the cord ends if needed so the bottom of the rainbow looks neat and even.
Your mini macramé rainbow is finished. You can use it as a hanging decoration, add it to a keyring, attach it to a gift, or use it as a sweet handmade decoration for a nature table or craft display.
Free Mini Macrame Rainbow Step by Step Instruction Download
Next Project?
More Macrame Projects
If you’ve enjoyed this project why not try a different macrame project? You can find free step by step instructions here. I’ve also got several video tutorials that you can find here.
More Creative Crafts
Why not try making a felt flower fairy or a needle felted house for your fairy.
As always, I would recommend adult supervision with activities and take care to ensure the items you are using are suitable for your child in both age and development. The views expressed are my own. If I have been sent a product for review then I will state this is the case; my review will be my honest opinion.