Creating Tassels
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When
Creating Tassels you must first learn the knots
used in Macrame, especially the different types of Button knots.
Visit the Learn Macrame section to practice any of the knots on this page that you are not familiar with.
A Tassel
is simply a pendant ornament consiting of a bunch
of threads or slender cords, which hang below a round
knot, also called the "head".
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The first section provides you with a few tips to consider when creating Tassels. Further down on the page are the instructions for 6 different designs that can be used.
You can click on any of the small icons below, and a larger image will come up, showing the details more clearly. |
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General Information |
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Tip #1: The most important part of creating Tassels is making the “round
knob or head”. That’s the term used to describe
the particular Macrame knot that forms the button near the top. You can use several different button knots, including
the Knife Knot shown in this image. |
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| Tip #2: When you make a tassel, you will usually start off with a bundle of slender cords (1mm or less). I like to use 8 to 10 strands, which work together as if they were one cord. |
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| Tip #3: Sometimes you will use a combination of knots when creating Tassels. In the instructions below, one uses the Overhand Knot along with a Half Hitch. Another combines the Lanyard Knot with the Linen Stitch. |
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Tip #4: Neatness is very important. The ends need to be trimmed evenly and coated with glue to prevent unraveling. |
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Knife Knot Tassel |
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Creating Tassels with the Knife Knot is one of the best techniques I have ever used, so I listed it first. This knot is very pretty, and there is a loop at the top.
Cut 8 or more strands of 1mm material, each 36 inches long. Secure one end of the bundle to the board, with tape rather than pins. Mentally label the secured end as the "tail" and start the first loop at least 8 inches from that end.
Tip: If you apply tape around the cords at both ends, the bundle is easier to work with. |
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Step 1: Create Loop 1 in a counter-clockwise direction. Make sure the first loop is at least 8 inches ffrom the secured end. Bring the working end over the first part of the bundle as you come down to make Loop 2.
Pass the group of cords under the tail, forming a Figure 8 shape. |
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Step 2: Bring the working end up to Loop 1, creating a large loop on the left. You'll be moving clockwise.
Pass the working end under Loop 1, as you head to the right side of the knot. |
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Step 3: Direct the working end down near Loop 2. Pass under the tail, and over the lower curve of Loop 3. You're still rotating clockwise at this point.
Bring the end up to Loop 1, and weave through the coils (Over-Under-Over). |
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Look closely at the image. There is a + sign in the middle of the Figure 8 design you just made. You should identify and make note of the small central space indicated.
Step 4: Bring the working end down, under the tail and over Loop 3. Pass into the space indicated from below. |
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| Step 5: Take the TAIL and direct it up to Loop 1, going around Loop 3. You should be moving clockwise. Pass the end under Loops 1 and 3, at the top of the design. Go into the same central space as you did in the previous step. Both ends will come together there, forming a larger bundle of cords, which is what you are aiming for. |
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| Step 6: The large loop on the left should be secured to the board. Tighten the other loops gradually, so a neat button forms. The large loop will be above the button, and the ends of the Tassel will be below it. |
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Simple Overhand Tassel |
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| When creating Tassels, sometimes you want the process to be simple and fast. The Overhand
Knot can be combined with a Half Hitch to form a very basic Tassel. Instead of tying the knot with the entire group of cords, you use a separate strand to gather and hold the cords together. |
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Step 1:
Cut a group of ten 1mm cords, 12 to 15 inches long. Use a thicker cord (2mm), wrapping it around the center of the group. Tie an Overhand knot to secure the 2mm cord to the bundle. Fold the bundle of strands in half. |
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Step 2: Take
both ends of the 2mm cord, and make a Half Hitch around
the bundle, approx. ½ inch from the fold. You can make a second one if you wish.
Apply glue to the knot. When it's dry, cut off the excess from the 2mm cord. Trim the Tassel so the ends are neat. |
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Lanyard Knot Tassel |
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| Creating Tassels can be a fun project all on it's own. While I was practicing some new knots I was unfamiliar with, I made a Tassel using
the Lanyard
Knot. Here are the directions, if you wish to give it a try: |
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Step 1: Arrange
a group of 8 cords so they form an “X” shape.
Tie a Lanyard Knot, using the four segments. |
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2: Bring all the ends together under the knot. Use 1 strand to secure the entire bundle with the Linen Stitch. Apply glue to the wrapped portion, and allow to
dry. Trim the Tassel so the ends are even and neat. |
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Manrope Tassel |
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| Here's another great method for creating Tassels. I recently learned how to tie the Manrope knot, so I decided to give it a try. It worked out extremely well, so here are the directions: |
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Step 1: Cut two 6-strand bundles of 1mm cord material, 50 inches long. Arrange them on your project board, so they form an X shape. Secufe them in the center with a piece of tape. |
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Step 2: Make a Wall Knot, which is basically the same as a Lanyard knot, only you pass under the cords as you progress. Be sure to move counter-clockwise as you design the knot. |
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Step 3: After the Wall knot is tightened, secure it to the board with a pin. Mentally label the 4 groups. Start on the bottom left when you number them, and l rotate counter-clockwise. |
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Step 4: Take group 1 and pass it under group 2. Bring it over segment 3.
This is a bit different than the usual method of making Lanyard knots, but the concept is similar. |
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Step 5: Take segment 2 and pass it under group 3. Direct the bundle of cords over the tail of group 1. Next, pass it over group 4. |
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Step 6: Use the cords in group 3 next. Pass under the tail of group 1 along with group 4. Go over the tail of group 2. At the bottom left, pass over both parts of the loop formed by group 1. |
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Step 7: Group 4 is next. Pass it under the tail of group 2. Direct the bundle to the loop at the bottom left, passing under the group 1 cords. Go over the tail of group 3. At the right, pass over group 2, and under the cords in group 1. |
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Step 8: There are four spaces surrounding the central Wall Knot. I numbered them in green to show you where the groups need to go next.
For example: The tails of group 3 need to be passed into space 3, which is just to the right of where they are resting. |
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| Step 9: Bring all the ends together and tighten the knot gradually. Sometimes when you are creating Tassels, you need a small loop to attach it to other items. Simply leave one or two strands a little looser at the top of the button, if you need the loops. |
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| Step 10: Take 1 of the dangling strands and wrap it around the entire group to gather them together, below the Manrope knot. Make one or two Half Hitches to secure it. Trim all the ends so they are even and neatly arranged. |
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Oysterman Tassel |
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| Creating Tassels will definitely help you practice some unique knots. The Oysterman knot is a very easy button knot to make, and is rarely seen in modern Macrame patterns. Here are instructions for creating this interesting Tassel: |
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Step 1: Obtain a bundle of 1mm cords, 20 inches long. Make a Slipknot by tying an Overhand knot in the center, keeping one end inside the knot, forming a loop. Make sure the end that moves easily is on your right. |
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Step 2: Direct the movable end into the loop at the top.
Tighten the Oysterman knot slowly. The cords above the knot can be used to make a loop, and the ones below are the Tassel. You can tie an Overhand knot, leaving about 1/2-inch of space, to make the loop (see large image above). |
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Chinese Tassel |
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| How about creating Tassels with Chinese knots? Well, this is one method that you can definitely use. This long, round knot is a Chinese Step Knot. It doesn't have a loop at the top, but you can make one by tying an Overhand or Square Knot after leaving a small space. Here are the instructions: |
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Step 1: Cut at least 8 strands of 1mm material, approximately 20 inches long. Lay them on your work surface as shown. |
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Step 2: Use the bottom portion, and wrap it around the other part 3 times. |
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Step 3: Pass the end you are working with through the loop.
Tighten the knot slowly to prevent it from bunching up. |
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Did you run out of supplies as you were creating Tassels? Visit the official online store for this site.
I carry many unique items, including cord materials for Macrame. Some of the items have FREE SHIPPING. Click on any of the Acajou banners you find, and you will be sent to the store.
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