What is so magical about feathers? Do you ever spy one on the ground, pick up and give it a twirl, and wish you could ascend into the heavens? Countless cultures have used the feather as a sacred or honorific symbol, and while nowadays the meanings have been watered down, there’s still something a little mystical about them. Whether you own a dream catcher, a bird feeder, or goosedown pillows, you probably have some feathers around you. Wouldn’t you like to be able to make your own, though, in a rainbow of colors, in all shapes and sizes? If so, we’ve got the perfect (and free!) pattern for you – the DIY macrame feather.
Combining two currently popular items, macrame and feathers, seems a no brainer. These feathers can be used as keychains, bookmarks, wall hangings, and placemats, and would make excellent gifts for the nature lovers and spiritual mystics in your life. If you’re keen to try one of these out for yourself, you’ll need to gather the following items:
- Macrame cord or multi-ply yarn (this is important for later on when you create the ‘feather’ texture)
- Keychain (if you’d rather, you can use a short dowel or a bead)
- Scissors
The only knot you’ll need to know to make this feather is the Lark’s Head Knot. There are two types of tutorials included in the pattern, video as well as written instructions. After that, it’s a simple matter of doing an overhand knot (the type you use when tying your shoes) over and over until you achieve the length and fullness you want. The next step is creating the fringe, which means combing through the multi-ply until it unravels. After that, the only thing left to do is cut the fringe into a feather like shape, though of course if you want a different shape you’re free to experiment – this would work for simple shapes like ovals, rectangles, and diamonds.
Interested in trying this simple project out? You can find the free written instructions, as well as links to video tutorials, over at The Flaneur Co.
