Knit Like a Pro: How to Add Tassels to a Scarf

About 6 inches is a common finished tassel length for a scarf, though a shorter or longer fringe can suit the scale of your knitting and the way you plan to wear it. Adding tassels is simple: make matching yarn bundles, attach them securely through the scarf’s edge stitches, then trim them only after the full fringe is in place. The key is planning the spacing before you start so both ends look intentional and balanced.

What Tassels Add to a Knit Scarf

Tassels give a plain knit scarf movement, texture, and a finished edge. They work especially well on garter stitch, ribbing, stockinette with a stable border, and simple color-blocked scarves.

The word “tassel” can mean two slightly different finishes:

• Folded fringe tassels are bundles of yarn strands folded through the scarf edge. This is the classic finish on most knit scarves.
• Headed tassels have a wrapped yarn “head” near the top and hang from a cord. They are more decorative and usually spaced farther apart.

Folded fringe is the easier choice for beginners because each bundle is attached directly through an edge stitch. Headed tassels are a good option when you want a few bold accents at the corners rather than a full fringe.

Attach each bundle through a real edge stitch rather than between stitches; this keeps the scarf edge from looking stretched or accidentally perforated.

Prepare the Scarf and Plan the Tassels

Finish the knitting, weaving in loose yarn ends, washing, and blocking before adding tassels. A scarf can change shape slightly during finishing, and trimming tassels before the fabric has settled can leave them looking uneven later.

If you are still knitting the scarf, make a gauge swatch before beginning whenever the finished dimensions matter. Compare it with the gauge instructions for your selected pattern so the scarf reaches its intended size before you add a decorative edge.

For example, the Bernat Garter and Tassels Knit Blanket Scarf has finished measurements of approximately 50 inches (127 cm) square. The pattern uses garter stitch, with every row knit from beginning to end. Its tassel materials call for a piece of cardboard 3½ inches (9 cm) wide. That pattern’s cardboard is not included in the kit, so make or gather the wrapping tool before you begin.

For other scarf patterns, use the tassel materials list to confirm the intended cardboard width. The cardboard determines the finished length of folded fringe, so it should match the look the pattern calls for.

Choose your finish before making any yarn bundles.

If You Want	Make	Attach It With
A traditional scarf fringe	Groups of equal yarn strands folded in half	A crochet hook and a loop-through knot
A fuller, chunkier fringe	Larger groups of the same yarn strands	The same loop-through knot, spaced farther apart
Decorative corner tassels	Wrapped yarn bundles with a tied top and wrapped head	Long top cords tied or sewn through the scarf edge
A subtle accent	Tassels in the scarf color	Small, evenly spaced bundles
A high-contrast edge	Tassels in a coordinating or contrasting yarn	One bundle, tested first

Use the scarf yarn if you want a seamless finish. A contrasting yarn can look beautiful, but choose a similar weight so the tassels do not pull the edge out of shape.

How to Add Tassels to a Knitted Scarf

Evenly spaced folded fringe or headed tassels can be securely attached to a knitted scarf for a balanced finish.

Step 1: Mark the Tassel Placement

1. Lay the finished scarf flat with the right side facing up.
2. Decide whether tassels will go across both short ends, at the four corners only, or along the edges of a shawl-style scarf.
3. Place a removable marker at each corner and at the center of each short end.
4. Divide the open spaces between those markers as evenly as you can, placing more markers where each tassel bundle will sit.
5. Repeat on the opposite end, matching the layout so the scarf looks balanced.

Do not worry about forcing every tassel into an exact stitch count. On a scarf with a very stretchy cast-on or bind-off edge, use the sturdy outer edge stitches rather than pulling yarn through the center of the fabric.

Step 2: Make Matching Tassel Bundles

For folded fringe tassels:

1. Wrap yarn around the cardboard template smoothly. Keep the wraps flat and consistent, without pulling the yarn tight enough to bend the cardboard.
2. Slide the wrapped yarn off carefully or cut it along one edge while it is still on the cardboard.
3. Divide the cut lengths into equal bundles. Use the same number of strands in every bundle so the fringe has a uniform fullness.
4. Keep the bundles in order on your work surface so they do not tangle.

Each cut strand will be folded in half when attached. A cardboard template creates consistent strand lengths much more reliably than cutting each piece separately.

For headed tassels:

1. Wrap yarn around the cardboard.
2. Slide a separate doubled strand under the wrapped loops at one end and tie it tightly. Leave these tying strands long; they will attach the tassel to the scarf.
3. Slide the bundle off the cardboard.
4. Wrap another yarn strand around the bundle just below the top tie, knot it securely, and tuck the end into the wrapped area.
5. Cut the loops at the opposite end and straighten the strands.

Make every tassel before attaching any of them.

Step 3: Attach Folded Fringe Tassels

1. Fold one yarn bundle in half to form a loop at the midpoint.
2. Insert a crochet hook through the marked edge stitch from the wrong side to the right side of the scarf.
3. Catch the folded loop with the hook and pull the loop through the edge stitch.
4. Remove the hook, pass the loose yarn ends through the loop, and pull gently to tighten the knot.
5. Adjust the knot so it sits snugly against the scarf edge without puckering the knitting.
6. Repeat at every marked placement.

If you do not have a crochet hook, use a tapestry needle with a large eye to pull the folded loop through the edge stitch. Avoid using a sharp sewing needle for this part; it can split yarn strands and make the attachment look ragged.

Step 4: Attach Headed Tassels

1. Position the tassel on the right side of the scarf, with its long top cords pointing toward the scarf edge.
2. Thread the cords through a sturdy edge stitch to the wrong side.
3. Tie the cords in a secure knot on the wrong side, keeping the tassel close to the edge without pulling the knitted fabric inward.
4. Weave the cord ends through nearby stitches on the wrong side.
5. Trim the cord ends close to the knitting once they are secure.

Headed tassels look best at corners or at a small number of deliberately chosen points. A full row of them can become heavy and make a lightweight scarf edge sag.

Step 5: Set the Fringe and Trim the Ends

Attach every tassel before trimming any of them.

Hold the scarf by its center so both tasselled ends hang naturally. Run your fingers through the yarn strands to separate them, then lay the scarf flat again. Trim only the ends that are visibly longer than the rest, taking off tiny amounts at a time.

For a softer, less formal finish, leave slight variation in the yarn ends. For a crisp, graphic fringe, align the strands carefully and trim a straighter edge.

Add Tassels to Shawls and Fabric

Tassels on Knit Shawls

Attach tassels to a solid border stitch whenever possible. In a lace shawl, avoid using a yarn-over hole as the attachment point because the tassel can stretch that opening wider over time.

For a triangular shawl, corner tassels emphasize the points beautifully. For a rectangular wrap, use a full fringe along the two short ends or add a tassel to each corner. Block the shawl before attaching trim so the lace pattern and edge shape are already set.

Tassels on Fabric Scarves

Tassels can be added to woven fabric scarves, but use the hem or a reinforced edge rather than pulling a fringe knot through a single layer of loose fabric.

1. Hem any raw fabric edge before adding tassels.
2. Place the tassel’s top cords at the hemline on the right side.
3. Bring the cords through the hem to the wrong side with a hand-sewing needle.
4. Tie them securely or sew them through several stitches of the hem with matching sewing thread.
5. Keep the attachment flat on the wrong side so it does not create a bulky lump.

For delicate fabric, sew the tassel directly to the hem instead of tying a tight knot. This spreads the weight over the sewn edge and helps the fabric drape naturally.

Check the Finished Scarf and Prevent Problems

Before calling the scarf finished, check both ends while the scarf is lying flat and while it is hanging.

• The knitted edge should lie flat rather than curl inward or pucker.
• Tassel ends should be combed apart with your fingers and trimmed only where needed.

If one tassel sits too low, undo and replace it rather than trying to disguise it by trimming. Reattaching one bundle is usually faster than correcting an uneven fringe after the fact.

If the scarf edge starts to pull or ripple, the bundles are likely too heavy or too close together. Remove a few and redistribute the remaining tassels.

Start with one tassel bundle at each corner and one at the center of each scarf end. Once those anchor points look balanced, filling the spaces between them becomes simple, and your scarf will have a polished finish that looks planned from the first stitch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Should Tassels Be on a Scarf?

About 6 inches is a common finished tassel length for a scarf. Choose a shorter fringe for a compact scarf or bulky yarn, and choose longer tassels when you want a dramatic, flowing edge.

What Size Cardboard Should I Use for Scarf Tassels?

Use the cardboard width specified in your scarf pattern because it determines the folded tassel length. The Bernat Garter and Tassels Knit Blanket Scarf uses cardboard 3½ inches (9 cm) wide.

Can I Add Tassels to a Finished Knitted Scarf?

Yes. Tassels are one of the easiest finishing details to add after a scarf is fully knit, washed, blocked, and dry. Attach them through the cast-on and bind-off edge stitches rather than through the middle of the knitted fabric.

Do I Need a Crochet Hook to Add Tassels?

No. A crochet hook is convenient because it catches and pulls the folded yarn loop through the edge stitch, but a tapestry needle can do the same job. Choose a needle with an eye large enough for the folded yarn bundle.

How Do I Attach Tassels to a Fabric Scarf?

Attach tassels through a finished hem or reinforced edge, not through a raw fabric edge. Thread the tassel cords to the wrong side, then knot or sew them through several hem stitches so the fabric is not strained by the tassel’s weight.