How to Make Fringe for Knitted Projects

Fringe gives a decorative, finished look to knitted items.

Fringe adds a decorative touch to knitted projects, such as scarves, shawls and afghans. Making fringe and attaching it to a project is quick and easy. You can make thin fringe with one or two strands of yarn or thick fringe with several strands of yarn. Use matching yarn to create a uniform appearance, or choose a different color that complements the project to add a pop of color.

Things You'll Need

• Yarn
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Crochet hook

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of cardboard in a square or rectangle measuring about 2 inches longer than length you want the finished fringe to be. Make the cardboard wide enough to accommodate several lengths of yarn.

2. Hold the end of the yarn at the bottom corner of the cardboard and loosely wrap the yarn around the length of the cardboard. Wrap the yarn one or two times for thin fringe or several times for thicker fringe. Cut the length of yarn after a complete wrap at the bottom edge of the cardboard.

3. Insert the scissors between the yarn and the cardboard near the bottom edge and cut through all the yarn loops along the bottom edge.

4. Gather the yarn strands along the top edge and hold the folded edges of the yarn together to form a loop.

5. Insert the crochet hook into the space along the edge of the knitted project where the fringe will be located. Grab the loop of the yarn bundle with the crochet hook and pull the loop through the project edge.

6. Remove the hook and re-insert it from top to bottom through the loop of yarn. Wrap the loose ends of the fringe yarn around the hook and pull the ends through the loop. Pull the ends tight to secure a knot at the edge of the knitted project.

7. Continue adding fringe along the edge of the project until you have completed a row of fringe. Lay the project out on a flat surface so the fringed edge is completely spread out. Trim the edges of the fringe so all the ends are even with each other.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a large enough crochet hook to manage the amount of yarn you intend to use in your fringe.

• Add additional visual interest to your knitted fringe by dividing each length of fringe in half and knotting it an inch or two from the edge to the fringe next to it.

References

• Lion Brand Yarn: Tips and Techniques: How to Make a Fringe
• Fabact.co: How to Make a Knitted Scarf with Fringe

Resources

• KnitSimple: Fringe