How to Knit a Tassel

Make your own yarn tassels for knitted items.

Tassels are whimsical embellishments that help to finish off knitted items. A perfect project for the novice knitter and younger crafter alike, tassels can be used on a plethora of crafts including knitted items, curtain tie backs, hats, and purses. Tassels are far quicker to make than other finishings like pompoms and fringe and use less yarn. You can make your own tassels in minutes utilizing household items.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Yarn

Instructions

1. Cut a cardboard rectangle out. The rectangle should be as wide as you want your tassel to be and as twice as long as it is wide.

2. Place the rectangle onto your cardboard and use it as a template to trace a second rectangle. Cut this one out too.

3. Cut a 6-inch piece of yarn and sandwich it between the rectangles.

4. Take the end of your tassel yarn and place it at the top edge on the long side of the top rectangle cardboard piece. Wrap the yarn around the cardboard rectangles and back over the yarn to keep it in place.

5. Wrap the yarn around the cardboard rectangles. Each new wrap should be snugly positioned next to the last one. Keep wrapping until you think your tassel is thick enough.

6. Hold the two ends of the 6-inch piece of yarn you sandwiched between the cardboard rectangles in each hand. Bring the pieces together at the top and tie a tight knot.

7. Squeeze the scissors between the cardboard rectangles at the bottom and cut though the yarn wraps. Remove the cardboard rectangles.

8. Cut a 10-inch piece of yarn and wrap it around the tassel about 2 inches from the top where the tassel is being held in place by the 6-inch piece you tied earlier. Wrap the 10-inch piece of yarn around the tassels 5 to 10 times and secure with a tight knot.

9. Pull the ends of the 10-inch piece of yarn down and trim the ends at the bottom so that all the pieces of yarn are the same length. Attach your tassel to your knitted item.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a bead to or some stuffing to the top ties part of the tassel to give it a rounded shape.

• Use more than one color for a more festive tassel.