How to Make Tassels From Crochet
Tassels add an extra decorative touch to your craft and home-decorating projects, and making tassels from crochet thread is easier than you might think. Whether you want small tassels to adorn the ends of an afghan or scarf, or larger ones to decorate an upholstered item or serve as curtain tiebacks, the process is the same. With practice, you'll be able to complete a tassel in just a few minutes, adding a custom-made, elegant touch.
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Things You'll Need
- Crochet thread
- Heavy cardboard or foam board
- Scissors
- Iron
- Bead (optional)
Instructions
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1
Establish a length for your tassel. Cut a piece of heavy cardboard or foam board to that length. For slim tassels, a three-inch width will be sufficient. For large, bulky tassels, use six inches or even wider. If you're not sure how you want your finished tassel to look, experiment by winding different amounts of thread to achieve varying thicknesses.
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2
Hold the end of the thread against the bottom of the cardboard or foam board and wind it from bottom to top and around the back. Repeat until you've achieved the desired thickness.
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3
Cut the thread after completing the last wrap, near the bottom of the piece of cardboard or foam board.
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4
Cut a separate piece of thread to serve as a hanging loop. The length of the piece of thread will depend on where you want to use the tassel and where you want its bottom edge to lie. If you cut this thread too long, you can always adjust it later. Slide the piece of thread under the loops at the top of the piece and tie its ends in a knot.
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5
Slide the thread loops off the cardboard or foam board, being careful to keep them from tangling.
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6
Establish the size of the tassel's head, the part that's tied off at the top. Cut a long piece of thread and slip it underneath the loops at the point where the head will end. Knot it very tightly.
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7
Smooth out the bottom, or skirt, of the tassel. Blend in the ends of the piece that you tied around the head. Iron the skirt, if necessary.
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8
Trim the skirt to the desired length, keeping the ends even.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're making a large number of tassels, complete one step at a time for all of them. You'll gain speed and improve your results as you repeat the same step.
Use a large bead to form the head. After slipping the loops off the cardboard or foam board, place the bead in the head area. Cut a piece of thread, gather the loops around the bottom of the bead and knot the thread tightly.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit getting ready for winter image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com
