Peaches is the artist and author behind Aunt Peaches, dubbed “the Citizen Kane of craft blogs” by the Huffington Post. Always on the lookout for clever ideas, Peaches shares creative and inexpensive how-to projects. When she isn’t busy making, styling or photographing handmade goods for magazines and design sites, she is busy removing cat hair and glitter from her lint trap.
I’m a firm believer that nearly every surface can be improved by the presence of homemade tassels and pom poms. Soft, fluffy and oh-so-nostalgic, these decorative elements look just as good hanging on silk drapes as they do on a doorknob or market tote. Making them is easy — there’s a reason this craft is often taught in Brownie troops and kindergarten classrooms! Once you’ve mastered the art of making tassels and pom poms, try your hand at creating a massively awesome, multi-tiered tassel.
The key to this DIY is good yarn and solid knot-making skills. Once you start, it’s hard to stop. Scroll on for the basics – or if you’re already a pom pom pro, skip to the multi-tiered tassel instructions.

You will need:
- Yarn. Any type or width of yarn will work, although natural fibers tend to fray slightly nicer when cut. Twisted wools will puff up and create soft, fuzzy tassels, while more compact strands of cotton and acrylic will lay more flat and uniform.
- Scissors. Be sure to sharpen them before trimming the ends of your tassels. If your scissors are dull, a few snips through a piece of aluminum foil will give them a fresh start.
- Winding Spools (aka: books and gift cards). If you can get your hands on triple thick cardboard, that will work too, but simple household items like paper back novels and leftover gift cards will get the job done.
- Wooden beads. You will need two sizes: small and large.
How to Make Tassels Two at a Time

1. Gather your yarn and a small book. I used pink and blue yarn for demonstration purposes, but you can keep this to one color, or integrate many different kinds of yarn into one tassel. It’s up to you!
2. Wrap the blue yarn around the book 50 times.
3. Slip a 10” strand of pink yarn under the blue yarn.
4. Tie the pink yarn in a knot as tight as you can. If you struggle with this, double back for another loop and a second knot.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 on the opposite side of the book.
6. Slip the yarn bundle off the book.
7. Fold the longer strands of pink yarn into the blue, then slip a pencil inside one end. Use your thumb to bring it as close to the top as possible.
8. Use another 10” strand of pink yarn to wrap around at least ten times, circling the base as tightly as possible. Secure with a knot.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 on the other side.
10. Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut down the middle. If necessary, you may want to go back and give your tassel a “hair cut” to even up the ends. That’s it!
Now that you know how to make a tassel, let’s top it off with a pompom, which is pretty much the same thing with less knots – and more fun!
The Easy Way to Make Pom Poms

1. Gather your yarn, scissors, and a leftover gift card (if you don’t have a gift card, cut a piece of extra sturdy cardboard into a 2”x3” rectangle).
2. Wrap your yarn around the length of the gift card 50 times.
3. Tie off each end with sturdy knots.
4. Use sharp scissors to slice down the middle.
5. Repeat your cut on the opposite side.
6. Identify the yarn used to tie the knot and push shorter strands to the side.
7. Tie the two pom poms together as tightly as possible.
8. Trim off any stray pieces.
Assemble a Multi-Tiered Tassel

Tip: You may find it handy to lay out all the elements before assembling. The key is to put the largest item at the top, then work down to multiples of smaller items from there. If you are using a variety of yarn, try to echo the colors at the top and bottom to lend cohesiveness. You may also integrate other accents like bells, charms, or smaller pre-made pom poms.

1. Use an oversized needle with an eye large enough to accommodate yarn and double knot the end.
2. After threading through your pom poms and tassels, add five to ten small wooden beads. Add one large bead to the very top of the strand.
3. Use your needle to thread the second strand through the larger top bead, then secure with a firm knot.
4. Continue tying knot after knot until they create a woven strand roughly 2” long, then separate the strands into two separate sets, and add another bead to finish.

Here the tassels are tied directly to the bag straps, but it would be easy to instead tie them onto a lobster clasp or key ring – then you could move your creation from bag to bag. Or, perhaps skip the bag altogether and tie it on a doorknob, door pull or wrapped around curtains. The sky is the limit!
All photographs by Aunt Peaches.
2 Featured Comments
MyChouchou from MyChouChou said 4 years ago Featured
ok, this is crazy awesome! i am seriously making one today! i even have a vintage straw bag to put it on! it looks so beachy and I can't wait for spring and summer now : ) thank you for sharing!
Lindsay Ponta from ShrimpSaladCircus said 4 years ago Featured
Hellooooo, gorgeous explosion of color, texture, and fluffy-wonderful! This is like a happy little party on a string. Is it a problem that I kind of want to just wear this as a giant, crazy necklace...? : )
124 comments
Sara Ermisch from LeosLovelyTreasures said 4 years ago
adorable! Thank you for sharing!
Liana from WildRoseAndSparrow said 4 years ago
Lovely, quirky, interesting and attention-grabber! I love te colors and textures, indeed tassels and soft, round, tactile pom-poms add a special touch to almost anything. One can even wear them as a hair accessory , used in a group, as a statement decorative piece. How about decorating a book mark or in a nostalgic fashion, the bike handles? As a trim on a kimono or a fresh take on a summer white T! So many wonderful ways to add color!
juliashuggins said 4 years ago
Looks like I found my winter project! Thanks for the tutorial!
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 4 years ago
Awesome! A spot of cheer.
ACR from IntoTheBluePaintShop said 4 years ago
LOVE it !!
ACR from WoodsyWools said 4 years ago
So cute !!
EMD from EllaMurphyDesigns said 4 years ago
These are adorable!
Marijana Fraska from ArmellaMeaJewelry said 4 years ago
Lovely:)
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 4 years ago
Wonderful idea!
MyChouchou from MyChouChou said 4 years ago Featured
ok, this is crazy awesome! i am seriously making one today! i even have a vintage straw bag to put it on! it looks so beachy and I can't wait for spring and summer now : ) thank you for sharing!
CharlotteAnneliese from CharAnnYarnCreations said 4 years ago
Lovely tassel!
Erin from Revendeur said 4 years ago
Who would ever guess the skills I learned 30+ years ago in summer camp would come in handy for such a cute project?!?! Thanks for the instructions - I think I'll try this tonight with my daughter! :-)
Lindsay Ponta from ShrimpSaladCircus said 4 years ago Featured
Hellooooo, gorgeous explosion of color, texture, and fluffy-wonderful! This is like a happy little party on a string. Is it a problem that I kind of want to just wear this as a giant, crazy necklace...? : )
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 4 years ago
Really cute!
bmmb124 said 4 years ago
Love that my ten-year-old can do this too! Thanks so much!
Julie Meyer from JulieMeyer said 4 years ago
How timely this post is for me - two things I've been making recently. Pom poms with my second grader and leather tassels for my shop. They serve the purpose of pure fun!
Adrienne from DabAndDabble said 4 years ago
I ❤ that you used Valley of The Dolls to gather the yarn for the tassel...perfect
Venus Bazaar from venusbazar said 4 years ago
super like
Dorina van den Brandeler from DoriKri said 4 years ago
Fantastic!!!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 4 years ago
What a great idea. I love the color. Thanks for sharing.
Susan Kraeszig from LifeEphemera said 4 years ago
It's easier than it looks!
Marta DQ from tribomo said 4 years ago
Great idea- I love tassels and pompoms! :)
NeatoKeen from NeatoKeen said 4 years ago
So festive! I LOVE this. I even think a non-crafty person (like me!) could do this. Thank you for sharing this fun project!
M. Browning from EtsyMtsyEveryThing said 4 years ago
Thanks! I'll try it.
thedelhistore from theDelhiStore said 4 years ago
What a clever way to make 2 tassels at a time and trick to making a fluffy pompom. Love these!
GrandmaDede from GrandmaDede said 4 years ago
Thank You! Now I know what to do with all my extra yarn! Hahaha!
Connie Olsen from CreatingLady said 4 years ago
This is such a great idea. Some of us have a yarn stash of bits and pieces. It would make great family fun to create tassels. Love everyone's suggestions for how to use. I'd like to add using them on school backpacks, notebooks, and even on a pet collar for a little bling. And perhaps you need to be my age to remember making yarn tassel dolls and animals. So much fun.
Amber from BambuEarth said 4 years ago
This is just too cute! What a fun idea! ♥︎♥︎♥︎
Bunni Russell from ByBunni said 4 years ago
Love the use of a piece of cardboard and a paper back book. A true crafter :0)
Fertile Gems from FertileGems said 4 years ago
Such a fun idea!
Paula Mucha from ilPiccoloGiardino said 4 years ago
So cute!
Yael Berger from TheJoyofColor said 4 years ago
:) Great , remind me of my childhood preparing pompom great idea and love the bright colors
Cynthia from 2chicdesigns said 4 years ago
Love me some tassels! These are cute!!!
MYJ from MYJsGallery said 4 years ago
Absolutely cute :D will going to make one :)
Brenda Bordas from brendabordas said 4 years ago
Very cute easy to understand instructions.
Leda Design from LedaDesign said 4 years ago
Wonderful idea!
Kendall McCulloch from SmittenKittenKendall said 4 years ago
Love that burst of colour! I have to put pom poms on everything now :)
Dig Deep Vintage from digdeepvintage said 4 years ago
great memories reading this awesome post
Aimee Knerr from pancakeandlulu said 4 years ago
this is the best!!!! love it.
Adam Speicher from SpeicherBowTieCo said 4 years ago
Cool
christelpaola from ConstellationKnits said 4 years ago
this is soo great! can't wait to try this with all of my leftover yarn I have :)
pratyumon soon from Singhato said 4 years ago
So cute! :) Love it.
Jeri Aiello from JeriAielloartstore said 4 years ago
Awesome tutorial. Thank you.
Wirat J. from SkylaBoutique said 4 years ago
Many thanks for very useful tips. I am looking to include a tassel and pom-pom into my bracelet as they are adorable and lively. This article definitely helps. :)
benna and hanna from bennaandhanna said 4 years ago
I sell bags and I am looking for some ways to embellish it. I bought ready made tassels but not so creative looking. I'll do this. Thank you
Verna from PineconesAndPurls said 4 years ago
LOVE this adorable idea. I am thinking a purse charm, a key chain (I may never lose my keys again!), hanging off a belt, a pull chain for the ceiling fan....the possibilities are endless. Thanks for the excellent idea!
Gwynne Collins from DaysLongGone said 4 years ago
Great idea!
Eddie N. from LoveMeLoveMyMeow said 4 years ago
Fab idea!!! You are great.
IKA PARIS from ikabags said 4 years ago
Lovely tassel! I have 4 :)) using since long time too :))
Katrina Alana from KatrinaAlana said 4 years ago
Thanks for sharing! I just adore the different layers of the charm. I can't wait to make the tassels in your tutorial and add it to my pompom banner at home. You are so resourceful using books and cards to make most the components.
Asta Jongejans from AJatelier said 4 years ago
Good example how few details and bright colours can change everyday bag to cheerful accessory. Thanks for sharing!
Rasa from GOODGOODSbyRasaBart said 4 years ago
This is such a great idea! That's right: once you start, it’s hard to stop.. ;)
a casa con Manu from Acasaconmanu said 4 years ago
un'idea davvero geniale!!! :-)
Pisinee Tawan K. from LuxaraVintage said 4 years ago
Lovely
Clara Joy from ShopClaraJoy said 4 years ago
What a great way to deal with extra stuff.
Clara Joy from ShopClaraJoy said 4 years ago
!
Laney from LittleLaneyTails said 4 years ago
LOVE that!
Kätlin from PAPERandBEAUTY said 4 years ago
Extra colors right now is very good idea!
Mia Blaz from MiaBlazdesign said 4 years ago
adorable! Thank you for sharing!
Kendra Ann from KnittyVet said 4 years ago
Badaboom badabing! What a great way to dress up an ordinary tote... AND to make a dent (aw, who am I kidding) in the yarn stash. I'm seeing all sorts of crazy color combos in my head - and I'll get my preschooler involved in the project too!
Natashja from JannysGirl said 4 years ago
Super cute!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 4 years ago
Love the pop of color, looks like a fun project!
Jessica from CreativeDollCrafts said 4 years ago
I will be making one of these...Love it!!!!
StillVintage from StillVintage said 4 years ago
Great idea!
Elisabeth Ringewald from MaineCoonCrafts said 4 years ago
Absolutely LOVE this, it just puts all the pieces together in a sequence both easy and understandable, great ideas and process. Never actually thought of making a pompom like that. The Purse adornment is just the type of thing that you dream about but never quite know how to make it happen. Thanks!
Taylor from TaylorsworldHandmade said 4 years ago
What a great idea! perfect for updating an old handbag for spring :)
lynn from CloudAboveBotanical said 4 years ago
great idea for a fun project!
Iron Eater from Miniversal said 4 years ago
All the right colors in all the right places...
Caroline Toth from SpoonStruckShop said 4 years ago
So pretty!
Matejka Max from NattyMatty said 4 years ago
Lovely!
HelloShoes from HelloShoes said 4 years ago
Great tassels. Love the trick of wrapping them around a book.
studioLISE from studioLISE said 4 years ago
Lovely! Looks just like the pom poms I had on my Finnish "huoppa sukkat" (wool boots) when I was a kid! Have to make these beauties! Thank you for sharing : )
Jeannette Perez from JPerezArt said 4 years ago
Thank you so much, it will be a good addition to my knitting projects.
stephanie callsen from bannerandsail said 4 years ago
Adorable!
Aga from AgasJourney said 4 years ago
nice!
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 4 years ago
Adorable! I love all the colors!
Chiara Alberetti Milott from chiarabelle said 4 years ago
fabulous!
Kristina from GoodMoodWoods said 4 years ago
So cute! Love it. Thank you!
StudioCybele from StudioCybele said 4 years ago
Lovely!
Tatiana from Tanche said 4 years ago
So cute!
Janine from IndependentReign said 4 years ago
Super cute!! love the little tassels made from simply wrapping the yarn on the book. Great little article. :)
RoyalCrownHandmade from RoyalCrownHandmade said 4 years ago
Awesome ! love it.
Carlotta Franzini from Carlottinalab said 4 years ago
Very very nice idea!!
Madi Deshler from dieselboutique said 4 years ago
cool
Greenfish from Greenfishonbay said 4 years ago
Love this. Thank you!!
Anastasia from LAccentNou said 4 years ago
So fun! Thank you!
Ann Rakhnianska from RannyGifts said 4 years ago
So cute!!! Thank you for idea
Nandita Albright from ContemporaryArtDaily said 4 years ago
Going to buy yarn to try this!
Martha Aguilar from ArteOtomi said 4 years ago
just what i needed!
Sabine Miner from StudioSabine said 4 years ago
fun fun fun -
UmmNiyatiJewelry from UmmNiyatiJewelry said 4 years ago
This is really nice. Thank you for sharing
Mercedes Gazzano Ashkenazi from MERCeJewelry said 4 years ago
Great idea, thanks!
Vedah from VedahDesigns said 4 years ago
Such a creative you, totally mind blowing!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Chifonie Studio from CreArtistElements said 4 years ago
Fun and creative, love this tuto !
Leanne Stock from ArtePlastique said 4 years ago
Omg, so cool, I'm pinning this! One of my favorite diys so far, thank you for sharing.
VintageInBloom from VintageInBloom said 4 years ago
super cute! great idea
Julie Rodda from bluehoneyjewelry said 4 years ago
Very Festive And Fun! Thanks for Sharing!
Elephant Bags from Elephantbags said 4 years ago
Wow beautiful
Caroline Barbosa from OldSoulVintageLtd said 4 years ago
I needed this! I've been wanting to make a coordinating fan light puller to go with my etsy bought tassel but wasn't sure how to make the tassel. I love making pom poms!
Cherie from CheriesArtsnCrafts said 4 years ago
SO much fun!
Hanna Zien from HannaJZien said 4 years ago
How clever and easy!
Devmukti jewels from DevmuktiJewels said 4 years ago
Awesome What a great way to deal with extra stuff.
Devmukti jewels from DevmuktiJewels said 4 years ago
This is such a great idea. I love the color. Thanks for sharing
Jenia-L from VintageForEnjoyment said 4 years ago
BRILLIANT!!!! I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!! Thank you for sharing!
Kathy Rumfelt from ClassicChicjewelry said 4 years ago
So cute and ready for the beach. I remember making pom poms. Brings back memories. This will be fun project to make. Thanks so much for sharing.
lana guerra from CrudeThings said 4 years ago
so fun & inspiring ! =D
Cherie FitzSimons-Orr from VignettesByCherie said 4 years ago
Soooo cute, festive and summery! Thanks so much for sharing. I forgot I used to make.tassels when I taught weaving and textiles in high school many years ago...but ours were not nearly as colorful and as much fun as these. There are so many great, creative things to try and just have fun with! I can't wait to give it a try again,...with a new twist and some great colors! Thanks again, Cherie
VIPOTCHI from VIPOTCHI said 4 years ago
ooohhh how cute!!! Beautiful. I love creative stuff. Thanks for sharing.
bluepalette from BluePalette said 4 years ago
Very easy and very fun!! Most of us made these in our childhood and then forgot the beauty of making simple and colorful things with our own hands!
Devmukti jewels from DevmuktiJewels said 4 years ago
so cute I love it! Thank you!
casey uggen from caseyuggen said 4 years ago
now THAT's actually cute and do-able. fun!! my daughter will love this. :)
Cristy Ramos from ArtisanBathandBody said 4 years ago
Thank you so much for sharing!
Devmukti jewels from DevmuktiJewels said 4 years ago
Wonderful idea!! Congrats on a great feature! You are so talented...
Elżbieta Bielska from BettyGlamJewelry said 4 years ago
This is so beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration. I Love your work:)))))))
Rose Jang from ThenComesColor said 4 years ago
omg how lovely!!!!
Hannah Straka from SerendipityDayy said 4 years ago
Love this idea for spring break
Vicky Savva from knittingmommycorner said 4 years ago
Cool!! Lovely idea!!
June from UtilizationLeather said 4 years ago
Nice!!
Joanne Ko from KokoCeladon said 4 years ago
Lovely colors!
Nina Ellis from NinElDesign said 4 years ago
Very nice ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Rhoda Poon from rforrhoda said 4 years ago
lovely!
UNEMPLOYED Custom Orders Wanted USA Made Superhero Cufflinks Wedding Jewelry from boloties said 4 years ago
Fun idea!
dwenh said 2 years ago
Was recently gifted with a tassel necklace. Thought "how clever". Now I can get out my old tassel maker and go to town :)
Svetlana Nosacheva from Svetolia said 2 years ago
I remember, in our childhood we had a crazy fashion for pendants in the form of ethnic dolls, which we did exactly according to the principle of these tassels. Sewing thin threads wound on a matchbox, made a brush. Under the head inside the brush were inserted hands from bundles of thread. Intercepted by a thread in the area of the cuffs. Then they intercepted the main brush with a thread, making a waist with a doll. The girl was in a skirt. For the boy, the lower part of the brush was divided into two, intercepted at the very bottom of each half. It was a boy in panties and a girl in a skirt. Eh! We must remember the childhood and make a couple of these pendants, especially since they fit in with the style of Boho.