Mini macrame rainbows are so easy to make! This tutorial shows how to make them using two types of material as well as two ways to finish them for hang them as keychains.
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For the last couple years, my kids have participated in a children’s market where they make a product and sell it. The first year it was beaded bracelets. The next year, they made mini macrame rainbows. While rainbows used to be associated with St. Patrick’s Day, over the years they have come to represent many different things and are now seen year round.
If you love rainbows too (and I assume you do since you’re here), I have a great tutorial for how to make mini macrame rainbows. To wrap the cotton cord, you can use yarn or embroidery floss. Each material will give you a different look. I also share two ways of finishing off the rainbows so you can hang them up.
Let’s get started!
Supplies Needed for Mini Macrame Rainbows
- Cotton Cord (see below for how to choose the size)
- Yarn or Embroidery Floss, in desired colors
- Scissors
- Masking Tape
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
- Wooden beads (optional)
- Large Needle
- D-ring with clasp (if you’re making a keychain)
What size should my cotton cord be?
The size of your cotton cord depends on how and where you’re going to be using or displaying your mini macrame rainbow. I use a 3-4mm cotton cord for this project because it’s big enough to wrap the yarn or embroidery floss around and get a clean, defined shape. If you want to make a bigger rainbow, then use bigger cotton cord, such as 6-8mm size.
Yarn vs Embroidery Floss
Whether you choose yarn or embroidery floss is going to depend a lot on how you want the finished rainbow to look. There are pros and cons to each type of material. I’ve listed them below but ultimately, it might take making the rainbows both ways in order to decide which you like best.
Yarn
- Pros:
- takes less time to wrap cord
- inexpensive
- comes in a variety of colors and textures
- Cons:
- may not be as durable or long lasting
- can snag
- less sturdy/more flexible finished product may not hold its shape
Embroidery Floss
- Pros:
- more sleek finished product
- comes in a variety of colors
- more sturdy finished product
- Cons:
- takes longer to wrap cord
- can be more expensive than yarn
- harder to hide glue when assembling
How to Make Mini Macrame Rainbows
Before starting, I suggest getting all your supplies together. Choose your colors. If you have a stash of yarn or embroidery floss, then you can do this closer to when you’re making the rainbows. However, if you need to go to the store and buy supplies, I recommend doing it all at once or ordering off of Amazon. (I have links above.) Once you have all your supplies, follow the next step below.
First, decide how big you want your macrame rainbows to be. For this project, I made my biggest arch 7″ long. The second arch is about 1/2″ shorter at 6.5″ and the third arch is 6″. You will likely end up trimming both ends of the rainbow so getting it exact isn’t important. However, these measurements will give you a good starting point.
Next, get your yarn or embroidery floss. I like to lay mine out in the order I want my finished mini macrame rainbow to be. Then I start with the biggest arch.
To get the wrapping started, hold the end of the cord in one hand. Using the other hand, wrap the yarn/floss around the cord, leaving about 3/4-1″ of cord exposed. Be sure to leave a little tail (as seen in the images below) so you can secure the end of the yarn/floss as you wrap it. This minimizes the amount of glue needed.
*PRO TIP* Wrap one end of each cord with 3/4-1″ masking tape. This will help you keep the starting point consistent on each cord and prevent the cord from unraveling until you are done with the rainbow.
Keep wrapping the yarn/floss around the cord. If using yarn, don’t wrap it too tightly or it could break. If using embroidery floss, wrap it tight and don’t allow any space between the floss. To make sure that I don’t have any cord showing through my yarn/floss, I like to push it down so it is very close together.
As your reach the last inch or so of your mini macrame rainbow, stop wrapping and set the cord and yarn aside. Do not cut the yarn/floss yet.
Repeat the above steps for the second and third arch.
When your arches are complete, hold them close together in a rainbow shape. This allows you to see if you need to wrap more or less on any given arch before gluing them together. You can trim the yarn/floss at this point, however, I always leave a few inches extra on the end until I’m done gluing and ready to trim.
To assemble your mini macrame rainbow, heat up a hot glue gun. I ordered a small glue gun with a fine tip so I could be more detailed and have more control over how much glue came out.
Starting with your largest arch, squeeze a small line of glue, about 2″, along one side. Take the second arch and line up the starting points of the yarn/floss, then press it together. Shape the cord into a rainbow shape. Add more glue and continue shaping it. Continue until you have about 1″ of yarn/floss that needs to be glued. Repeat this process for the third arch.
*PRO TIP* I have found it easier to get the right arch shape by pressing the cords together right after I glue them, then setting them on a flat surface to finish shaping it as it cools.
Double check that your yarn/floss is still lining up, then finish off the gluing of the arches. Make sure to catch the end of your yarn/floss in the glue so it doesn’t start to unravel. However, if it does, just add a little more glue to secure it.
Now you can gently unravel the cord at the ends of the rainbow. At this point, you can use a comb or your fingers to straighten them out. Using a sharp pair of scissors, trim the ends so they are all the same length. Also trim the ends of the yarn/floss.
And that’s your mini macrame rainbow!
If you’d like to attach the rainbow to a keychain, hang it from your rear view mirror or somewhere else, there are two ways you can finish it off.
Option #1: Keychain
For this finish option, you’ll need the following items:
- Hot glue gun
- Large sewing needle
- Wooden bead
- D-ring with clasp
- Yarn/Floss in the color of your largest arch
Cut a 12″ length of yarn/floss in the same color of your largest arch. Thread one end through the needle. Find the middle point of the top arch and push the needle in between the biggest and middle arches.
Pull the yarn/floss through. Grab the other end of the yarn/floss (the side without the needle) and thread it through a wooden bead. Then pick up the needle and thread it through the bead as well. This means there will be two threads going through the bead. (Image 1)
Now get the D-ring and pull both ends of the yarn/floss through the ring (Image 1).
Wrap the yarn/floss around and through the ring, pulling it tight. (Image 2)
Next, you need to pull the two ends of yarn/floss back through the wooden bead (Image 3) and knot them together (Image 4). Squeeze some hot glue into the hole to secure. Then trim the tail.
Option #2: Long Tail
For this finish option, you’ll need the following items:
- Large sewing needle
- Wooden bead
- Yarn/Floss in the color of your largest arch
Cut a 20-24″ length of yarn/floss in the same color of your largest arch. Thread one end through the needle. Find the middle point of the top arch and push the needle in between the biggest and middle arches (as seen below). Pull the yarn/floss through.
Grab the other end of the yarn/floss (the side without the needle) and thread it through a wooden bead. Then pick up the needle and thread it through the bead as well. (This means there will be two threads going through the bead.) Now knot the yarn/floss together. Squeeze some hot glue into the hole to secure or you can tie a double knot.
Now your mini macrame rainbow is ready to be hung!
Looking for more rainbow inspired crafts? Check out the list below! To get more details on a specific craft, just click on the link below the collage.
Rainbow Sprinkle Glue Gun Seals from Laura at Me and My INKlings
Easy Felt Rainbow Bookmark from Beth at Creatively Beth
Rainbow Plaid Friendship Bracelets from Lindsay at Artsy Fartsy Mama
Free Printable Rainbow Wall Art from Laura at Laura’s Crafty Life
Rainbow Scrap Painting from Smitha at Smiling Colors
Two Ways to Make Mini Macrame Rainbows from Shani at Sunshine and Munchkins
DIY Rainbow Mobile for Baby’s Nursery from Justine at Little Dove
Printable Rainbow Bookmarks from Erica at 5 Little Monsters
Happy Go Lucky Door Hanger from Katie at the Crafty Blog Stalker
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