How to make a tassel
Here is a little post from our “craft basics” series!!! There are something that you just “need” to know how to do.. right? Like how to make a pom pom (well there 7 different ways hahaha) or how to sew basic stitches… today’s “need to know”, is howt o make a tassel.
Learn how to make a DIY Tassel for craft projects
Tassels are super quick and easy to make and can have so many different uses. They look great made from all sorts of materials – wool/ yarn, embroidery thread, even string. We love making tassles for bookmarks (the quickest and obvious use for them), but we also like to add them to a Back pack charms (check out our Autumn Back Pack Charm, isn’t it adorable), they look great as part of DIY jewelry and can be added to Christmas Ornaments.
The best thing about making your own tassels.. is that you only need your fingers!!! Quick, easy, fun.
Tassel DIY – supplies needed
As mentioned you can use
- wool/ yarn,
- embroidery threads or embroidery floss,
- string,
- tulle,
- mixed media fabrics.. anything you want!
You will also need:
- your fingers
- a pair of sharp scissors
IF you want to make a bigger tassel.. “replace” your fingers with a piece of cardboard cut into a rectangle.
How to make a Tassel DIY
Hope you like the following quick and easy how to make a tassel video, but I also give you tassel DIY step by step instructions below! You can also watch this video on my YouTube channel!
How to make a tassel step-by-step instructions
- Cut a piece of yarn or string that you will later want to hang the tassle from – this can be the same material as the tassel or different. We often use bakers twine for this, as it is pretty AND durable (especially if you want to use your tassel as a key chain.. I find yarn rips after a while). Make this string a bit longer than you think you will need, so you can trim it later if you need to.
- Hold your hand out flat. Thumb pointing up. Fingers together. Place the the string along the index finger of the hand you will use for wrapping (as I am right handed, I use my left hand to wrap).
- Now you can start wrapping your tassel yarn. There is no “rule” as to how much you should wrap… I actually think not “too much” is nicer, but it really is trial and error.
- Once you have the desired thickness, ease the wrapped yarn (and the string from your index finger) off your hand. Keep all the loops together.
- Take another piece of yarn and wrap it around the top of your yarn to form that tassel “head” or tassel bobble towards the top of the tassel. Make a tight knot and cut – I always make the strings from this knot the same length as the remaining tassle, so you don’t notice the knot. Those come people like to use cotton, as it is strong.
- When your threads are secured in this manner, take a pair of scissors and trim the bottom loops open to make lots of hanging strands. You may wish to trim the strans a little to neaten it off.
- Your homemade tassel is now finished!! Yay. Make LOTS more.
I think the yarn tassels make lovely little items of decor, can be used as part of other projects (e.g. we have an adorable Elephant bookmark) , as part of knitting projects, scarves, shawls, blankets, keychains, to decorate a gift and more! I am sure you can think of many more craft projects to use these for! Just the perfect way to add finishing touches to any project. It is also a great way to use up odds and ends of any yarn bundles you may have.
Check out our adorable Pom Pom Fox charms that also uses these lovely DIY Tassels:
