NOVEMBER 2012
THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION
PAGE 57
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Trim Your Knits and Purls
By: Carolyn Hanson
Trims add whimsy to knitted or crocheted projects. What child does not enjoy a pom-pom or two on a zipper pull or
dangling from the point of a hat? Big tassels and long fringe add drama to shawls, scarves and afghans. Trims can
also be used to add length and hide a flaw. Surprisingly, no special tools or attachments are needed. Cardboard, scis-
sors and yarn are the ingredients. More surprisingly, the amount of yarn needed can be an additional skein.
Not all yarns work as trims. Different yarns have different properties. Some drape better than others. Spun and plied
natural materials, e.g., wool, cotton, silk, are good choices. Yarns with a central core, wrapped with another fiber are
not. They will continue to unravel with time unless each strand is secured. Experimenting is key. Cut the yarn and
observe how it reacts before moving ahead. Does is unravel, fray, or shed? If so, choose a different material.
Some problems can be corrected with an extra skein of yarn. What to do with an extra skein of yarn that can’t be
returned? Add fringe or tassels. Have a scarf that’s a bit shorter than expected? Add fringe in a complementary color.
Need more pizazz or update to a ready-made piece? Add pom-poms, tassels or a bit of embroidery.
So grab your scissors, and have some fun.
How to Make Perfect Tassels
Supplies:
Firm cardboard cut to the length of finished tassel (a small book will do), Sharp scissors, Tapestry needle,
Yarn
1.
Starting at the bottom of the tassel, wrap yarn over the top of the cardboard and return to the bottom. Do this
100
times.
2.
Cut a 16” length of yarn, fold in half, thread under all the yarn and pull the loose ends through the loop. Take
the ends in opposite directions around the tassel and tie tightly. This will be the top of the tassel. Leave long ends
for securing to project.
3.
Cut through all thickness at the lower edge. Remove cardboard.
4.
Cut another 16” length of yarn, and fold in half. Measure 1” from the top or desired depth, and secure around
the tassel by pulling the free ends through the loop, capturing all loose threads. Take the ends in opposite direc-
tions around the tassel and tie tightly.
5.
Wrap one of the strands around the tassel to add a “waist” to the tassel. Then use a tapestry needle to thread
the loose ends through the center of the tassel. This will secure the wrap.
6.
Roll a small piece of paper around the strands near the bottom edge. Use as a guide to cut the ends evenly.
How to Make Perfectly Full, Round Pom-Poms (Any size)
Supplies:
Cardboard (cereal box will do), Coins (for tracing center circle), Scissors, Drinking glass for tracing the size
of the finished pom-pom, Pen/pencil, Tapestry Needle, Yarn
1.
Trace a circle by placing the glass on the cardboard and cut out. Make 2.
2.
Select a coin that is 1/3 the dimension of the circle. Use it to trace a smaller circle in the center of each larger cir-
cle. Cut out the smaller circle. You now have 2 donut shapes.
3.
Sandwich the 2 circles together
4.
Thread a long length of yarn (6’) onto needle and fold in half.
5.
Wrap the yarn around the circle coming up through the hole, completely covering the cardboard and filling the
center hole with continuous wraps. As new length is needed, leave ends to the outside edge of the circle and con-
tinue as above. Ends will be trimmed later.
6.
When the inner circle is full and using sharp scissors, locate the space between the 2 circles of cardboard. Cut
through the yarn on the outer edge only, leaving the inner edge uncut.
7.
Separate the 2 circles but do not remove. Cut a 12” length of yarn; place it between the 2 circles and around the
center hole filled with yarn. Tightly secure a firm knot. Slide the cardboard off.
8.
Fluff out the pom-pom. Without cutting the securing yarn, trim with sharp scissors.
9.
Use the securing yarn to attach pom-pom to the garment.
How to Make Perfect Fringe
(
Note: Fringe needs a minimum of 2 strands of yarn or each attachment. Measure the width of the piece to be
trimmed and experiment with spacing and length. Too much fringe and the edge with stretch and ripple, too little
and it will look thin.)
Supplies
:
Firm cardboard cut to the length of finished fringe (a small book will do), Sharp scissors, Crochet hook, Yarn
1.
Starting at the bottom of the fringe, wrap yarn over the top of the cardboard and return to the bottom. Repeat
a minimum of 2 times for each fringe.
2.
Cut through all thickness at the lower edge.
3.
Starting at corner of one edge of the piece to be trimmed with right side facing you, pierce the crochet hook
through the wrong side of the piece.
4.
Take 2 or more strands, fold in half, and place the fold over the hook.
5.
Pull the hook through the piece pulling the folded yarn just enough to make a loop.
6.
Feed the cut ends of the fringe through the loop and pull.
7.
Repeat across edge with equal spacing, ending at opposite corner.
Carolyn Hanson is a local knitting and crochet designer, teacher and fiber artist. She can be contacted at cchanson3
@
gmail.com.
www.theconnectionsnj.com
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