I’ve never really liked the look of tassels. I thought they were outdated and ugly. But, while looking for ways to use up the growing pile of cord offcuts I had, I decided to try making macrame tassels. And I couldn’t be more pleased with the result!
Now I’m brainstorming all the ways I can incorporate tassels into my macrame projects! The tassels are neatly held together at the top, with soft and fluffy fibres cascading down underneath. So if you’re ready to discover a whole new love of tassels, please read on.
What are macrame tassels?
Macrame tassels are tufts of loosely hanging cords, knotted at the top and generally attached to soft furnishings for decoration.
Tassels can create a point of focus for your macrame project and also help add layers to the finished product.
Where can macrame tassels be used?
Here are some ideas of where to use macrame tassels:
- Make into keychains
- Add to wall hangings
- Attach to a long cord to make a macrame tassel garland
- Use as a curtain tiebacks
How to Make Macrame Tassels
Macrame tassels are relatively easy to make and can usually be made using excess cord you already have lying around.
Materials Needed
- 20 x approx. 28cm – 32cm 3mm, 3-ply cords (use offcuts if possible – variations in size don’t matter as they will be trimmed later)
- 1 x 40cm 3mm, 3-ply cord
- 2 x 60cm 3mm, 3-ply cords
- Metal rule or tape measure
- Scissors
- Hot glue & glue gun/fabric glue
- Pet brush/fine-toothed comb
- S-hook/clothes rack (optional)
Step 1: Form the loop to hang by
Take 1 x 60cm cord and fold it in half. Using the double section of cord, tie an overhand knot around itself so that a loop is formed.
The length of the loop will depend on where and how you want to hang the tassel. Make a larger loop if you want a longer hanger, or a smaller loop if you want a shorter hanger.
Step 2: Arrange the cords that will make up the tassel
Lay the 20 x approx. 28cm – 32cm cords on a flat surface so the middle of each cord is centred.
Work out where the centre of the 20 cords is and then move down a couple of centimetres. Place the overhand knot of the looped cord just below this point.
Step 3: Tie it all together
Take the 1 x 40cm cord and slide it underneath the 20 cords in the position worked out in the previous step. Tie the 40cm cord around the 20 cords and secure (just above the looped overhand knot) with 2 overhand knots. While tying this cord, gently move the shorter cords so they’re evenly spread around (and hide) the overhand knot on the looped cord.
Step 4: Neaten the cords
Pick up the tassel by placing your hand over the short end of the cords. Then hold the tassel up and let the longer ends of the cords fall into place around the loop. Gently move the cords around until they evenly fall down the sides.
Step 5: Secure with a wrap knot
Take the final 60cm cord and tie a wrap knot a couple of centimetres down from the top of the tassel.
Once the wrap knot is secure, check the cords at the top of the tassel are still sitting nicely. If any cords are out of place, gently pull the cord above the wrap knot to loosen the cord, or gently pull the cord below the wrap knot to tighten it.
Step 6: Cut excess cords and glue
Cut the 2 loose cords from wrap knot. Then apply a small amount of glue to keep the knot secure and prevent the ends from fraying.
Roughly cut the tassel to the desired length. I cut mine 90mm below the wrap knot.
Step 7: Brush out cords
Use a pet brush or fine-toothed comb to brush out the cords. Start at the ends of the cords and begin brushing so the fibres start to un-twist. As the cords start to unravel, slowly move upwards until the cords are brushed out right up to the base of the wrap knot.
Step 8: Finely trim tassel
Once the fibres are all sitting straight, hold the tassel with one hand and finely trim with the other. You may need to jump between step 7 and 8 a few times to ensure all fibres have been cut at the correct length.
To see a short video of the process, watch the macrame tassel reel.
How can you incorporate tassels into your projects?
Tassels can be used on their own or incorporated into larger projects. However, it’s important to consider how the tassel will be attached before making it.
The loop to hang by will need to be much longer if you’re planning on using it to hold macrame curtains open. To add a tassel to a wall hanging, the loop to hang by can be tied using existing cords on the wall hanging, and then the tassel created already in place.
Alternatively, the tassel can be made separately (like in this blog post) and then threaded onto a cord being used in the wall hanging using a Lark’s Head knot (alternative method). Continue tying knots after threading the tassel onto the cord so that it’s held securely in place.
Conclusion
So there you have it, perfectly chunky tassels to use alone or add to your macrame projects. Plus you get bonus points for using up some of those offcuts that would have otherwise been wasted.
Use the hashtag #mymumthedreamer on Facebook or Instagram to share how you’ve used these tassels in your macrame projects.
