How to Make a Bookmark Tassel

Craft a tassel for your bookmark with this DIY guide

Reviewed by Renee Day

Last Updated: January 1, 2025

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.

DIY Bookmark Tassel

To make a bookmark tassel at home, wrap cord, string, or yarn around a piece of stiff cardboard. Pull two long tails through the loop and tighten the knot. Remove the cardboard. Wrap the thread around the top to form a small ball. Tighten the knot, and then cut the bottom of the loops.

Steps

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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.
The number of loops, along with the thickness of the string, determines the thickness of the tassel.

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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.
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.
through the short loop.
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.
, leaving about a four inch (10cm) loop.
through the top of the tassel and out the side.
, a little ways down from the first knot. Wrap tightly, and aim for even loops, forming a small, round ball.
through the center of these loops from top to bottom.
all the way through and tighten the knot firmly.
of the loops from before.
to an even length.
in the bookmark by threading the loop end through the hole.
through the looped ends, and tug gently.
your new tassel.

Community Q&A

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Question

Will this work on corner bookmarks?

Community Answer

Corner bookmarks often slide on to the page, and adding a hole and a tassel may block the page from sliding in. However, if you add a small section of paper to your corner bookmark that hangs out of the book, it is possible to add a tassel. Just be careful, as regular printer paper may not be that strong and probably wouldn't last very long, so maybe use a thicker paper or material.

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Tips

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.

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This is very similar to a basic tassel, but it includes some extra loops to make it work for a bookmark.

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For an added touch, string the loops of the finished tassel through an interesting bead or two before placing the tassel on the bookmark.

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Things You'll Need

String or cord in any color of your choice. The string used here is crochet cotton, available in most craft stores and in many different colors. Leftover scraps of yarn also work well, provided they are not too thick.
Scissors
Card or ruler
Tapestry needle or large sewing needle
Bookmark with hole or card and hole punch.