How to Make a Macrame Mermaid
Make your own macrame mermaid doll! This handmade doll is delicate and sweet looking, and it's really easy to make!
Yield: 1 macrame mermaid
Cost: $2
Equipment
- Fine tooth comb (or wire pet brush)
Materials
- Macrame cord (2mm; colour of choice)
- 4mm Natural macrame cord
- Natural braided macrame cord (8mm)
- Large wooden bead (1 inch)
- White glue
- Fine tipped black marker
Instructions
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Separate the coloured cord
- Cut 32 pieces of 2mm macrame cord to be 12 inches long. This will be the mermaid's body and tail, so use the colour of your choice.Set 2 of the cords aside for later.
- Use your fingers to unravel/twist the strands apart, separating each of them into 3 thinner strands.
- Repeat until all 30 strands are separated.
Step 3: Make the mermaid's body
- Cut 1 piece of 4mm natural cord to be 8 inches long.Set it perpendicular to the other cords, across the center.(This piece should be the same colour as the mermaid's hair, so cut a different yarn or cord if needed.)
- Cut another 4mm cord to be 5 inches long. Tie a knot in each end.
- Place this cord right below the other.
- Fold the long cords in half, down over the natural cords.Then use a fine tooth comb to gently smooth out the strands, separating them further.
- Gather the natural cords up at the top and wrap one of the leftover 12 inch coloured cords around the bundle, about 1 inch below the fold.
- Wrap the strand around several times, and then tie the cord in a double knot to secure it. The knot will be on the back of the mermaid.
- Separate the ends of this strand (like you did with the rest), and then comb them into the rest of the bundle.
- Wrap the last 12 inch cord around the bundle, about 2-1/2 inches below the first cord.Tie it into a double knot on the back, and again separate and brush the strands into the rest of the cords.
Step 4: Attach the head and hair
- Bring the unknotted natural cord ends up and thread them through a wooden bead. Push the bead down against the coloured cord.
- Cut 3 pieces of braided macrame rope (8mm) to be 11 inches each. Unravel the braids, separating each strand into 3.Don't comb these strands - you want them to be thick and wavy.
- Grab one of the cord ends that the bead is attached to and bring it down towards the head.Set the middle of the 11 inch cords on top of the other cord (the one pointing up).
- Tie the 4mm cords around the hair in a double knot. Make sure the knot is towards the back of the head, so it doesn't show.
Step 5: Cut the mermaid's tail and add final details
- Cut a wide upside-down "V" at the bottom of the coloured cords to create the mermaid's tail.
- Give the mermaid a haircut, trimming the cords to be even. Cut the cords a little shorter at the sides for a layered look.
- Add a dot of white glue to the front of the wooden bead.
- Spread the glue into a thin layer with your finger or a paintbrush.Allow the glue to dry. This allows you to draw on the bead without the marker bleeding into the wood.
- Use a fine tip black marker to draw the mermaid's face. We drew only eyes with eyelashes, but you can also add a mouth if you'd like.
- Your macrame mermaid is complete!
Video
Notes
Looking for more easy macrame crafts? Here's a few of our favourites:
Macrame Rainbow
Macrame Heart
How to Make a Macrame Feather