Simple Tassel Tutorial

I had a couple of projects in mind that would require simple tassels - and after looking into buying them, I realized it was time to find a way to make my own.

After trying a few different methods I thought I'd share what worked best for me.

Here is what the finished tassel looks like:

Contrasting yarn helps show the different parts of the tassel. 

Materials:

• Yarn
• Cardboard to make a template 
• Scissors

Step 1 - Make a template like you see below. Not 100% sure how to describe this little sucker. I started with a 2" x 2" square of card board. I cut 2 slits about a 1/4" from the top on the right and left side. Then I cut a slit in the center of the bottom. Last - a large notch was cut out of the right side about half an inch from the top that extends just past the middle.

Step 2 - cut 2 4" lengths of yarn, set 1 aside and then wrap the other around the top notches of your template.

This black strand of yarn is going to be loop you use to hang your tassel. 

Step 3: Start wrapping your yarn around the template going perpendicular to your loop yarn. The slit at the bottom is used to secure the yarn.

Keep wrapping and wrapping.

Once you like the amount of strings you've got, stop wrapping.

Step 4 - Secure the top portion of the tassel with the string that was formerly secured between the top 2 slits.

Step 5 - Using the strand that you formerly set aside, wrap around the tassel at the notch and lightly secure it.

Step 6 - slide the tassel off of the cardboard.

Step 7 - Cut the loop at the end of the tassel.

Step 8 - Move the string up the tassel just a bit towards the loop knot to help beef up top portion a bit - trust me, it helps. Then REALLY firmly tie the bottom string.

Begin wrapping the tails around and around the tassel.

And then secure the ends of the string.

Last - knot the end of the top string to create a loop.

You've got a simple tassel...