Tassel help

How-to Questions
1

Good Day All,

I have what might be a rudimentary question regarding making a tassel. I have attached a picture below and have been coming up dry when searching for a method on exactly how to do it. I am aware of how to make the tassel itself and the cording as well. What I’m looking for is specifically how to make the ball (see arrow in photo) that is located between the cord and the fringe of the tassel. I know little about knitting and was assuming that it was a specific technique and was curious if anyone could even point me in the direction of at least what that piece might be called or a specific technique that can be used to reproduce it. I’m not looking for a specific walk-through on here per se, just some direction as to where I could find out more about replicating this piece of the tassel. Any help or direction that can be afforded will be greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance for your consideration.

Photo courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

Thank you,

Charlie Thayer

2

Welcome to KnittingHelp!
It looks like it might be a tiny version of this pattern for a ball
http://i-like-lemons.blogspot.com/2008/02/knit-balls.html
I’m not sure if this video helps because even to me it looks like flying needles but this is the technique.


You may not need all the increases. Just cast on, increase, knit a few rows, decrease and cast off. The shaping will happen when you gather in the cast on and cast off.

3

Hello, Charlie.

I think the ‘ball’ of the tassel is either macrame or crochet.

My sister makes tassels, so I’ve emailed her for some advice. As she’s very busy as the moment, it may be a while before she comes back with an answer.