Make these DIY Macrame Autumn Leaves

Large and small macrame leaves hang on the wall.

Introduction 


These autumn leaves are the perfect project to try macrame for the first time! I’ve seen them lots on Pinterest but always shied away because I thought any macrame project would be quite tricky and need a lot of skill.


Well, I was wrong! I am pleased to say the method for these leaves is quite straightforward, and they are a lovely way to make some handmade wall art for your home. The trickiest part is the knot, but once you’ve got the hang of it, you can make leaves in different sizes and shapes. Keep reading to learn all about it.

A large macrame leaf and two small macrame leaves lay on a table.

You will need:

  • 4mm Macrame Yarn

  • Sharp Scissors

  • A Hair Brush

  • Hair Spray

Finished macrame leaves and supplies for the project lie on a table - scissors, macrame string, a hairbrush, and hairspray.

Step 1

Cut a length of yarn approx. 40 cm long, fold it in half and lay it out with the loop at the top (this is the ‘stem’).

A doubled-over piece of string lies on the table.

Step 2

Cut another 16 lengths approximately 25 cm long. Put these to the side. Now take one and fold it in half. Place it under the stem, with the loop on the left. Take another piece and fold in half. Now place it on top of the stem, over top of the first piece, with the loop on the right.

This is step 2 of making macrame leaves.

Step 3

One at a time, thread the ends of each piece through the loop of the other. To do this, thread the ends of the top piece (on the left) down through the loop underneath. Then thread the ends of the underneath piece (on the right) up through the loop on the top piece. Pull the threads tight, so that you’ve made a nice tight knot against the stem.

This is step 3 of making macrame leaves.

Step 4

Repeat this knot with the remaining 14 pieces of yarn (7 more pairs).

A hand ties macrame string together to make macrame leaves.

Step 5

Unravel the pieces of yarn and shape them around the stem like a leaf shape. Then brush out the yarn with a hair brush.

This is an image of step 5 of making macrame leaves.

Step 6

Use your scissors to cut the yarn into a leaf shape.

A hand cuts around the macrame leaf and trims it.

Step 7

Spray on either side with hair spray and leave to dry. This will help it keep its shape when it’s hanging on the wall.

A finished macrame leave sits on the table.

And just like that, you have officially done your first macrame project! I really loved this whole process, and the leaves look so pretty on our walls. I have popped them up in a few different spaces to see what works, and they really do add a touch of boho, autumny goodness to any space.

Three macrame leaves hang on a wall next to a couple of pictures.

Conclusion

Some of you might be wondering if you can make larger style leaves? I definitely tried, but I found that if you make them too big they don’t hold their shape, even with a whole lotta hair spray.


I searched high and low for a spray fabric stiffener, but couldn’t find any locally (and they were so expensive, $60+ to buy online). So for now, it’s small to medium size leaves, and I still love em!


Tip: If yours flops a bit when you try to hang it up, and you’ve already sprayed both sides thoroughly with hair spray (and let it dry), then you might need to trim it to a smaller size.


I hope you loved this project, and I am so excited to see your creations when you try it!


If you are interested in learning how to do modern embroidery for beginners, check out my blog, 'Learn Modern Embroidery for Beginners with this FREE Pattern.'


Julie xx

3 macrame leaves of different sizes hand on a bedroom wall.
2 macrame leaves of different sizes hang on the wall of a home with a shelf hanging beside them.
2 macrame leaves of different sizes hang on the wall with a picture, table, and couch nearby.