Get magical with this totally bohemian DIY macrame wall hanging! You always think about buying home decorations from the store, but why can’t you make your own? I’ll show you the exact steps you need to learn how to macrame your very own hippie-style piece!
This only uses simple materials, but you will definitely need a lot of yarn. Fabric dye creates that cool ombre pattern and wooden beads add pattern and color to this unique DIY wall art project. The knotting may look difficult, but it really is a series of square knots.
You can really customize this piece and make it as large/long or as small and petite as you want it! Let’s get started!
Step 1: Create the rod. If you don’t already have a rod you are using, then you can create one out of paper. I used a large poster sized sketch pad (the sheets were thin, so I used three) rolled up tightly. Tape ends to secure. Tie the end of yarn at the end of rod and start wrapping – TIGHTLY. Continue all the way down the rod and tie off.
Once you have the rod wrapped, cut two more 4′ pieces of yarn, and tie overhand knots at both ends of the rod to create a hanger. Tie an overhand knot, catching all strands, in the very center to complete.
To create the yarn strands, cut at least 20 8′ to 12′ pieces of yarn, and simply tie on to the rods, in the middle of the strands. That means you’ll have double the amount of strands you cut after tying. Keep tying on strands until the rod is full – which will differ depending on what size rod you are using. Here’s what mine looked like. I tied the top hanger to an upper cabinet, so that I could easily add strands.
It helps to have the final amount of strands divisible by four! That way, your knotting will be even. Mine wasn’t, but I easily hid the extra strand. No big deal!
Step 2: How to dip dye. Fill a large tupperware tub with about 2″ of water (not a lot). Add in about half to a full 8oz container of RIT fabric dye (I used 5oz. of yellow and 1oz. of red to get this orange). Acrylic yarn technically does not “dye” with RIT, but it worked for this tutorial since I didn’t wash the yarn or rinse afterwords. It creates a faded dip dye, but that’s what I was going for!
Submerge the ends in the water and press down with a wooden spoon or other utensil to fully saturate the yarn. I left this yarn just as is for about two hours (or even more, if you’d like). You will NOT get a vibrant dip dye, even at this length of time, with acrylic yarn. But it works with this type of piece!
After 2 hours, empty the water out of the tub in a sink (preferably stainless, so it doesn’t stain) with the faucet running. Leave the ends of yarn in this tub. Put outside to dry, and spread out all the strands so the air can get them. Leave as-is for about a day or until the piece is FULLY dried! You can see the dip dye on the right.
Step 3: Tie knots. You’ll be using all square knots here. Grab the leftmost four strands of yarn. Create a square knot with these strands. Grab the next four strands. Repeat. Repeat all the way down your rod.
Now, for the next layer, skip the leftmost two strands. Grab the next four strands, create a square knot. Repeat all the way down again.
If you need help with square knots, there is a great tutorial here, and you should follow steps 5 through 14.
Step 4: Add beads. Grab the leftmost four strands again. Add one bead to the outer strands of this group. Create a plain square knot, and push the beads to the bottom of this knot. Finish with another square knot, catching in the beads. Grab the next 4 strands and repeat. Repeat all the way down the rod to finish knotting.
Step 5: Group your strands into 7 groups. Tie with excess pieces of yarn and then cut to the desired length. I made sure I cut all the scraggly ends of yarn off and cut in a V pattern.
I have made three of these, and they are all decorating my house! I love the handmade vibe they bring, and the fact that they are all made using materials I had lying around. Have fun with this project because that’s what it’s all about!
Comment below and let us know, what was your all-time favorite craft to make?
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