Make a stunning macrame rainbow wall hanging with this easy beginner DIY tutorial.
Takes just 2-3 hours, costs under $20, perfect for adding charm to any room!
If you’re looking for a fun weekend craft project, this macrame rainbow wall hanging is perfect for beginners! I’ve been making these colorful pieces for years, and they never fail to brighten up any room.
Macrame has been having a major comeback lately, and I totally get why. There’s something so relaxing about working with your hands and creating something beautiful at the same time.
This rainbow project is especially great because you don’t need to know complicated knots or spend a fortune on supplies. If you want to learn basic macrame techniques first, check out our beginner macrame earrings tutorial which teaches the fundamental skills you’ll use here.
Project Overview
Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly
Cost: Under $20 (using basic craft supplies)
Time: 2-3 hours
Ages: 8+ (with adult supervision for hot glue gun)
What You’ll Need for Your Macrame Rainbow
- Natural twisted cotton rope (1/2 inch thick works best)
- Colorful yarn in rainbow colors (I usually use 6-7 different shades)
- Sharp scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- A piece of felt for backing
- Sewing needle
- Small pompoms for decoration
Most of these materials you can find at any craft store, and the whole project shouldn’t cost more than $15-20. The felt backing technique we use here also works perfectly for easy felt coasters if you want to practice your gluing skills first.
Step by Step Guide to Make Your Rainbow Wall Hanging
Step 1: Cut Your Rope Pieces
Start with the smallest curve of your rainbow. Take your cotton rope and make a U-shape on your table. Decide how big you want the smallest arc to be and cut it there.
Now use this first piece as a guide. Lay it down and measure the next size up with your remaining rope. Keep doing this until you have 6-7 pieces that get progressively larger. Think of it like nesting bowls but in rope form!
Step 2: Wrap the First Rope with Yarn
Pick your first color (I always start with red at the top). Tie the yarn around the rope about 2 inches from one end. Leave those 2 inches free because we’ll turn them into tassels later.
Here’s the key part: start wrapping the yarn around the rope nice and tight. Don’t leave any gaps between the wraps. Keep the yarn tension consistent so it looks neat and professional.
Step 3: Finish the Yarn Wrapping
Keep wrapping until you’re about 2 inches from the other end. Cut your yarn leaving about 3 inches extra.
Thread that extra yarn through your needle and poke it through the rope right next to your last wrap. Then thread it between the rope and the wrapped yarn. Pull tight and trim off any excess. This locks everything in place.
Step 4: Repeat for All Colors
Do the same wrapping process for each rope piece. I like to follow the rainbow order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. But honestly, use whatever colors make you happy!
The wrapping process is actually pretty meditative. Put on your favorite podcast or music and enjoy the repetitive motion.
Step 5: Attach Everything to the Felt
Get your felt piece ready and heat up that glue gun. Start with your smallest rope (the one that will be at the bottom of your rainbow) and glue it down. Make sure the unwrapped ends stick out past the felt.
Keep adding each rope piece in order, making sure they’re evenly spaced and creating that perfect rainbow curve.
Step 6: Trim the Felt
Once all your ropes are glued down, carefully trim the felt around the edges. You want the felt hidden behind the ropes so it’s not visible from the front. Take your time with this step becuase neat edges make a big difference.
Step 7: Create the Tassels
This is my favorite part! Take those unwrapped rope ends and gently untwist them. Separate all the individual fibers to create fluffy, cloud-like tassels. The more you fluff them, the better they look.
Step 8: Add the Pompoms
Glue small pompoms along the top curve of your rainbow. This adds a fun, whimsical touch that makes the whole piece feel more playful.
Step 9: Add a Hanging Method
Attach a small loop of string or a picture hanging strip to the back of your felt. Now you’re ready to hang your masterpiece!
Tips for Success
- Take your time with the yarn wrapping. Rushing leads to uneven coverage
- If your yarn starts to twist while wrapping, stop and let it unwind
- Hot glue sets fast, so work quickly when attaching to felt
- Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. Handmade character is part of the charm!
More Home Decor Projects to Try
Once you’ve mastered this rainbow technique, you might want to explore other home decor projects that use similar skills. The DIY concrete planters tutorial mentioned in other craft blogs pairs beautifully with macrame wall hangings for that modern boho look.
I hope you too will enjoy this craft and do leave feedback in the comments. If you try out our tutorial, we would love to see your version of the craft. You can share your picture with hashtag #craftaholicwitch or just DM your picture to us on Instagram.
Happy crafting!
