Tassel Instructions: © 2011
2002 - Written by: Victoria Galo
http://www.shawlministry.com
This is only one of the ways I make my tassels. There are many variations such as a 'mop fringe' and 'macramé tassels' to name a few. May you be inspired to create new ways!
Items needed:
Approximately ½ to ⅓ skein of yarn
*Cut: 76 pieces of yarn each 54” in length
Remember to cut lengths for the tassels before using up all of your yarn on the shawl!
This
should be done before adding your last skein to the shawl
Crochet Hook Size: 1/9 – 5.50mm (or similar)
Scissors
27” X 27” piece of heavy cardboard or fabric-covered plywood
Flat open surface to work on
*The easiest way to make multiple strands of yarn is by taking a 27” piece of sturdy cardboard (or several glued together) or a piece of plywood covered with fabric to prevent snags and splinters. A friend of mine, Mary Costa places two chairs back-to-back and measures off the distance so that the circumference equals 54” in length. I use the arms on my rocking chair! For each rotation (back and front of board or around in a circle) count off 38 times. Cut off only one end and you will have 38 pieces, each at 54”. This amount is enough to complete one side of the shawl. Make an additional 38 strands for the opposite side of the shawl. You may want to do some sample measurements using different items from around the house. Use your imagination.
To attach the tassels:
Place the shawl on a flat service with the binded edge facing you. Click here to see a diagram. Notice how it looks similar to your completed shawl. Place your crochet hook (down) into the binded row, on the outside edge. Now, take two (2) strands of yarn and line up the (4) cut ends together. Fold these in half to find the middle (tassel length +/- 12"). Hook these eight (8) pieces of yarn to the crochet hook and pull them (up) through the binded edge of the shawl, approximately 1-2” to form a loop. It is through this loop that you will insert the ends through. Pull the tassels to tighten up the up the connection between the shawl and the tassels. Look at the tassel ends; note: there are two loops in the yarn that you’ll need to cut in half, you should have a total of 8 separate strands. Once you have cut these, take the group of tassels and knot it over on its self, up near the binded edge to secure the tassels from releasing themselves and falling off. You’ve made your first tassel (see #1 on the diagram)!
To add the next set of tassels, count over 3 stitches and add the #2 set of tassels. It may be tricky to see where the group of stitches ends refer to the attached sketch. You will notice by comparing this sketch with your work, that there appears to be vertical lines running through the shawl. With your crochet hook (or knitting needle or ruler) follow this line down to the binded edge. Where this vertical meets the binding edge place your crochet hook down into the binded edge and begin your next tassel.
When you have completed both (outside) edges and the center tassels you should have a total of 19 sets of tassels. Repeat this process on the other side of the shawl.
Don’t forget: You can add beads and charms at this point.
For a man’s shawl: Men don’t like frilly things. My suggestion is to make 20 pieces of yarn for each side (total of 40). Starting with the outside edge, attach your first tassel. Skip the spot where the second tassel should go (on the above directions). Attach your next tassel to the third position. Repeat this to the outside edge, going to every other column working in odd numbers to outside edge.
A final blessing of the shawl is suggested: Please click here for prayer ideas.
It is important to us that the origins of this ministry be honored. The information on this site is provided freely for your personal use. If you would like to duplicate, distribute, or display any part of this material you must contact the Shawl Ministry first. All copied material should have the Shawl Ministry web address (www.shawlministry.com) and credit given to its authors.