How to Make a Bookmark Tassel

What would a bookmark be without the familiar tassel to keep it from getting lost between the pages? If you want to add a tassel to a bookmark that you have made, or if the tassel in your favorite old bookmark has disintegrated, you can make your own tassel in a few minutes with a bit of string or cord.

1. Work around a wide ruler or a piece of stiff card (such as from a cereal box). Cut or fold it to an appropriate width, about 1.5 inches (4cm). You can adjust the length of the tassel by making this object wider or narrower.
   • If in doubt, start with a card that's a little wider than you want. You can always trim the ends shorter later.
2. 

    Wrap the string several times around a card or ruler.
   Wrap the string, cord, or yarn around the ruler or card several times. The number of loops, along with the thickness of the string, determines the thickness of the tassel.
3. Cut the end of the string off the loops and cut a second piece of a generous length, perhaps a yard (90cm) or more. Fold this second piece in half.
4. 

    Pass the folded end under the loops.
   Thread the folded end of the second string under the loops. There should be no need to use a needle. You should have a short loop on one side and two long tails on the other side.
5. 

    Pull the long tails through.
   Pull the two long tails through the short loop.
6. 

    Tighten and slide off.
   Tighten this knot snugly by pulling on the two long ends. Then slide the tassel off the ruler or card.
7. Thread both loose ends through a large needle.
8. 

    Leave a four-inch loop.
   Double the two loose ends, leaving about a four inch (10cm) loop.
9. 

    Down through the top, out through the side.
   Push the needle through the top of the tassel and out the side.
10. 

     Wrap to form a snug, small ball.
    Wrap the free ends several times around the tassel, a little ways down from the first knot. Wrap tightly, and aim for even loops, forming a small, round ball.
11. 

     Push the needle under the wraps.
    Push the needle down through the center of these loops from top to bottom.
12. 

     Tighten this knot firmly.
    Pull the two long tails all the way through and tighten the knot firmly.
13. 

     Cut open the loops.
    Cut open the bottoms of the loops from before.
14. 

     Trim the ends to length.
    Trim the ends to an even length.
15. 

     Pass the loops through the hole in the bookmark.
    Insert the tassel in the bookmark by threading the loop end through the hole.
16. 

     Pass the tassel through the loops.
    Pass the tassel through the looped ends, and tug gently.
17. 

     The finished bookmark.
    Enjoy your new tassel.

• Need an easy bookmark to go with this tassel? Cut a colorful greeting card or postcard into strips. Make the strips about 1.5 inches (4cm) wide and as long as the card, around six inches (15cm). Use a paper cutter if you have one, and try to center the cut on an interesting part of the picture. Or, cut any stiff card stock to about this size and decorate it with stickers. Use a hole punch to make a hole in one end.
• Crochet cotton will hold together with a simple knot like this, but if you think your cord or floss is too slippery, make a couple more knots before bringing the string down through the middle of the tassel. Or, work a dot of glue into the knot to keep things snug.
• For an added touch, string the loops of the finished tassel through an interesting bead or two before placing the tassel on the bookmark.
• This is very similar to a basic tassel, but it includes some extra loops to make it work for a bookmark.