How to make a yarn tassel | Quick DIY project with left over yarn

Yarn tassels are quick to make and add an instant pop of color to your holiday gifts, clothes, zipper pouch, backpack, and scissors. You can even create a stunning tassel garland with extra large tassels. In this blog we explain step by step how you can use left over yarn to make a tassel in a few minutes.

How to make a yarn tassel

What materials do I need to make yarn tassel?

1. Yarn or Floss

You can use all types of yarn to create tassels, each material will give a different texture and look to your tassel. Tassels are also great projects to make with your left over yarn.

Use cotton yarn for a smooth looking tassel, or go for a winter effect with wool. You can also make mini tassels from embroidery floss.

For the samples on this page we used our Gordita ecological wool.

2. Piece of cardboard

Use a cardboard or postcard as wide as the desired length of tassel.

For a small tassels we use a business card of about 7,5 cm  x 7,5 cm (3″x 3″). If you like to make a tassel garlant you can use an extra large cardboard piece of 30 cm x 20 cm (12″ x 8″ ).

3. Scissors

You´ll need a pair of sharp embroidery scissors to cut your yarn to size.

4. Needle or Crochet hook

5. Pencil

6. Optional beads or jump rings

gordita for yarn tassel
embroidery scissors gold decorative gift set

Step by Step instructions for making a yarn tassel

Step 1

how to make a wool tassel

Wrap the yarn around the cardboard. The more you wrap the fuller your tassel will be. For wool tassels we wrap about 20 times around a business card. When making tassels from embroidery floss we recommend to wrap approx. 50 times.

Step 2

how to make a yarn tassel

Cut the yarn from your ball.

Step 3

how to make a yarn tassel

Cut a 15 cm (6″) piece of yarn or floss and slip it through the top loops of the wrapped thread.

Step 4

how to make a yarn tassel

Tie it several times as tight as possible.

Step 5

how to make a wool tassel

Slide the wrapped thread off the cardboard and slide it onto a pencil.

Step 6

how to make a wool tassel

Cut a piece of 30 cm (12″) yarn or floss. Tie this piece around the tassel just below the pencil. This creates the ‘head’ of the tassel. Wrap the ends of the tied thread around the tassel five or six times.

Step 7

how to make a wool tassel

Use a needle to tuck the ends back behind the wrapped thread.

Step 8

how to make a wool tassel

Cut the loops at the end of the tassel and trim the ends so they’re even. You can use the tassel as is, or add a bead or a jump ring to finish your tassel.

Step 9

Voila your yarn tassel is ready!

how to decorate your gift with tassels