How to Use a Clover Tassel Maker
Hi Everyone! I’m Ashley, the designer and maker behind The Loopy Lamb. I’m so excited to be invited back to the Clover blog to teach you all how to use a Clover Tassel Maker.
Tassels are a quick project that can be added a wide variety of projects to give them some added flair. Clover’s Tassel Makers help crafters create tassels with ease while getting, consistent, great-looking results! The Clover Tassel Makers come in two different sizes: Small and Large. The small Tassel Makers enable crafters to make tassels in 3 different sizes while the large Tassel Makers can be used to make 5 different sizes so you can make different sized tassels to suit your needs. At the end of this post, I’ll include some free project tutorials that use Clover Tassel Makers that you can use to practice using your new Tassel Makers.
Supplies You’ll Need to Follow Along With This Clover Tassel Maker Tutorial:
- Clover Tassel Maker (in your preferred size). I’m using the large size here.
- Yarn of any weight and color. I’m using Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice worsted weight yarn (size 4) in Denim Mist.
- A Sharp Pair of Scissors (Clover Mini Patchwork Scissors work great for this and are what I’m using here)
- A piece of paper big enough to wrap around your tassel
- Optional: A piece of tape
- Optional: A rubber elastic or covered hair elastic
Step 1: Adjust your Tassel Maker to the size of tassel that you want to make. On the side of the Tassel Maker are little markers/notches that you help you choose your size. Loosen the white knobs and slide your frame to your desired size. Line your little knobs up to the same notch on each size and tighten the knobs up to secure the frame in place.
Step 2: Slip the end of your yarn around under the edge of the frame to secure the end (shown below). Begin wrapping your yarn around the center of the frame. Wrap the yarn as many times as you’d like. The more you wrap, the fuller the tassel will be. I personally like to wrap the frame between 30 – 40 times.
Step 3: When you’re finished wrapping the frame, slip your yarn around under the opposite edge of the frame to secure the end and cut your yarn.
Step 4: If you want to be able to hang your tassel on something, follow this step to create a hanger. If not, skip to Step Five. Cut a piece of yarn to the desired length, fold the yarn in half and tie the loose ends together in an overhand knot. Find the center point of your tassel using the arrows on the sides of your Tassel Maker frame. Place the knot you created just below the center-point of your tassel and push it through the top layer of yarn so it sits between the two layers.
Step 5: Cut a piece of matching yarn approximately 6 – 8” long. Wrap this piece of yarn around the center of the tassel and tie a tight knot. Feed the yarn ends through the tassel frame and flip the frame over. Tie another knot on this side of the frame. Feed the yarn ends through the frame again to tie another knot. If you think this is secure enough, move on to Step Six. If not, repeat this step until you feel it is secure.
Step 6: Holding on to the center of your tassel, use your scissors to cut along the groove of the frame to cut the yarn off of the frame. Repeat this on the other end.
Step 7: Grab your hanger (or center point of the tassel if you aren’t using one) and hang the bundle of yarn so all the yarn hangs down and smooth it out with your hand. You can also use a wide-toothed comb for this if you wish.
Step 8: Cut a piece of matching yarn approximately 16” long to create the head of your tassel. Make a loop in your yarn approximately 2” from the end and hold the twist in your yarn up against the tassel with the tail of your yarn pointing up.
Step 9: With your free hand, wrap the rest of yarn piece clockwise around the tassel taking care not to cover your loop with your wrapping. Wrap the yarn as many times as you’d like while keeping enough tail to finish off. If you are struggling with holding it all together, you can use an elastic to hold the bulk of the tassel down while you wrap. I personally like to use a covered hair elastic for this step as it won’t stick to the yarn and it’s easier to remove at the end.
Step 10: When you’re done wrapping, feed the tail of your yarn, through the loop you created. Pull on both your yarn tails firmly until the loop disappears. Cut both tails. If you’re using an elastic, remove the elastic.
Step 11: Cut a piece of paper to the height of your tassel and wrap it around your tassel with the uncut end pointing towards the bottom of your tassel. If using tape, you can tape the paper together. Slide the paper down to the bottom of your tassel and cut the yarn along the edge of your yarn to get a straight, clean edge. Remove the paper from your tassel and you’re all done!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and are excited to get started adding tassels to your projects. I’ll be back next week with a tutorial on how to do the single crochet stitch.
Projects that use Clover Tassel Makers:
- Boho Macrame Wall Hanging by Dani’s Way and CJ Design
- Juniper Wall Hanging by DeniMade
- Amethyst Tassel Dream Catcher
- Velvet Plaid Blanket with Tassels by Love. Life. Yarn.
- Tassel Christmas Angels by Debbie von Grabler-Crozier
- Over the Top Present Toppers by Shibaguyz
You can find more of my free crochet patterns on my Blog | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Stay connected with Clover on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | Ravelry
