How to make a tassel

Basic Tassel-Making Tutorial

Materials Needed:

Yarn

Cardboard, foam board, or a book

Scissors

Tapestry needle or crochet hook (optional)

Step 1: Cut Two Ties

Cut two pieces of yarn, each about 10 inches long. Set them aside — you’ll use one now and one later.

Step 2: Prepare the Board

Cut a piece of cardboard (or use a foam board or book) into a rectangle. The length of the board should be twice as long as you want your finished tassel to be.

TIP: When cutting your cardboard template, make it 1–2 inches longer than your desired tassel length. This gives you extra room for trimming the ends neatly at the end, without making your tassel shorter than planned.

Step 3: Wrap the Yarn

Start at one end of the cardboard. Wrap your yarn around the board lengthwise, keeping the loops snug but not too tight. Continue wrapping until the bundle reaches your desired fullness — keep in mind the tassel will be twice as thick as the number of loops. Stop winding at the same end where you started.

Step 4: Tie the Middle

Lay one of the 10-inch yarn pieces horizontally on your work surface. Carefully slide the looped yarn off the cardboard and place it centered on top of the horizontal yarn. Tie the 10-inch yarn tightly around the middle of the looped yarn to secure it. Double knot for extra security.

Step 5: Cut and Shape

Hold the two tied ends upward and let the looped yarn hang down. Use scissors to cut through all the looped ends at the bottom. Shape the yarn into a tassel by arranging and smoothing the strands.

Step 6: Make the "Neck"

Take the second 10-inch piece of yarn and wrap it around the top part of the tassel (just below the tie) to form the neck of the tassel. Wrap it tightly a few times, then tie a secure knot.