In this new series, DailyEdge.ie wants to help you get in touch with your inner Pinterest professional via some basic AF crafts – so simple, even Fionnuala can do them.

SOME MIGHT ARGUE that statement earrings have had their moment. Not me though – who doesn’t love a good hoop or door knocker to bring together A Look?

Myself? I love a good pair of tassel earrings. However, they tend to fly out of ZARA stores, and I can’t be arsed waiting eight months for a pair from AliExpress. 

After stumbling across a tassel tutorial while researching this series, I thought: “hang on a minute, maybe I could have a bash at making these myself?”

What you’ll need

• Thread/wool/string/ribbon – whatever you want the earrings to be made from.
• Earring backs or jewellery wire (try Yellow Brick Road, Sostrene & Green or Vibes & Scribes for these.)
• A hand. No, really.
• Cardboard stencil or ruler (optional, if you have hands at your disposal.)

Method 1 – The practice round

I decided to try making tassels with wool first, as it’s what I had handy. 

1. Cut off a length of wool/string/ribbon/something that the tassel will hang off. Wrap it around your index finger and let the excess hang behind the rest of your fingers.
2. Start wrapping the wool around your hand. The size of the tassel will depend on the size of your hand. You can also use a cardboard stencil a la the pom pom from last week. Try and wrap as evenly as possible so that the lengths of your fringey-bits are even.
3. Once you’re done, find your tie string and tie a knot in it. You can trim as you please after.
4. Begin cutting your loop. If the strands are different lengths, don’t worry, you can tidy them up after.
5. Cut off another length of wool and tie it around the top to give it the tassel shape. Be sure to tie it as tightly as you can.
6. You’re done!

Mine turned out wonky as I wrapped my hand with a little bit too much wool.

Pre-trim

Post-trim

Method 2 – Embroidery thread

It’s pretty much the same as above. Again, I used my hand instead of cardboard stencil. I didn’t trim ends this time because I liked the choppiness of the ends.

However, I ended up leaving this pink tassel on a 4 bus out to Blackrock. In the event that you found it, I hope it brings you joy.

This is what it should look like before you start cutting your strands.

Method 3 – The real deal

I tried again with white thread, as I realised that the mebroidery thread packs I’d bought from Sostrene & Green didn’t match (my bad, not theirs). The only matching colours I had were white and black, so I went with the former. It’s important to bear in mind that white thread like this can get very grubby if you’re handling it alot, so always make sure your hands, and wherever you’re storing the thread, is clean.

If you’re after a silkier finish, split the embroidery thread apart into its multiple strands. You can straighten out the strands using your hair straightener on a low heat or by holding the tassel over a pot of steaming water. 

If you make a few at a time and then sew them together, you can create a nice layered effect, as show below.

Can’t see the video? Click here.

These hoops are even simpler to make, but require a few more tools to complete.

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Got any crafting ideas that the most basic b*tch could manage it? Email fionnuala@dailyedge.ie with suggestions and she might just give it a bash!

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