How to Make Graduation Tassels

Make tassels for graduation.

Create your own graduation tassels for use on crafts or decorations or to replace the commercial version on the big day. While yarn is often used on homemade tassels, embroidery floss is simple to work with and available in any color required. The thinner strands of floss, when compared to yarn, allows you to make a tassel that more closely resembles the commercial varieties. Embroidery floss is available at craft stores and most fabric shops.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Embroidery floss

Instructions

1. Cut out a 4" x 2" piece of cardboard. Cut a ¼" long notch near the corner along one 4" side of the cardboard.

2. Slip one end of the floss through the notch in the cardboard, which holds the end in place as you make the tassel. Wrap the floss around the cardboard 10 to 14 times, depending on how full you want the tassel to be.

3. Cut off the excess floss once you are done wrapping. Slip this end through notch in the cardboard to secure it. The notched end is the bottom of the tassel.

4. Slip a 6" strand of floss through the top loops of the floss along the top edge of the cardboard template. Tie the strand into a tight knot, securing all the loops of floss together.

5. Slide the blade of your scissors through the bottom, untied loops of floss and cut through them. Lift the tassel off the cardboard.

6. Tie a second 6" length of floss around the tassel, ¼" down from the top. Wrap the ends of this floss around the neck of the tassel five or six times, binding it securely. Tie off the floss and trim the ends.

7. Trim the bottom ends of the tassel with scissors so the are even. Tie a loop in the top string to hang the tassel from.

Tips & Warnings

• Use gold or silver floss to bind the neck of the tassel and give it a more sophisticated look.

References

• University of Kentucky Extension: Needlepoint
• BBC Home: How to Make a Basic Tassel