We have received
numerous requests for added information regarding buying or
making tassels; therefore, we provide the following:
We do not sell
tassels.
In the past, we
have been able to purchase suitable tassels in a variety of
colors at fabric stores (to these, one must add the commanded
blue thread); however more recently, suitable ready-made tassels
have been difficult to obtain.
On the other hand,
if one doesn't mind having white tassels, there are several
varieties of Jewish-style tassels (tzitzit) available
for sale online and which may be found by searching the Internet
for "tzitzit". Do be aware that although some of
these tassels will contain the commanded blue thread, others
will not; thus to these one must add the commanded blue thread.
Also, the various tzitzit may range in length from
as little as about 2 inches long to as much as 18 inches long!
We have also made
our own tassels, by a variety of means. For making tassels,
we highly recommend the use of a device called the Knifty
Knitter Pom-Pom / Tassel Maker (Item #21-0107) produced by
Provo Craft & Novelty Inc. ( www.provocraft.com
), which comes with instructions and is available at many
craft and fabric stores for U.S. $10.00 or less. In our experience,
the only type of thread which we have found to hang nicely
and to be adequately durable for tassel use is called "coton
perle," "perle cotton" or cotton "craft
thread," and is also available at most fabric or craft
stores.
For the loop to
hang the tassels onto one's belt, the perle cotton is adequate.
However, we have appreciated the extra durability gained by
using 100% nylon crochet thread, available at some craft stores.
Unfortunately, the crochet nylon is severely prone to fraying;
thus, we have found it necessary to stabilize all cut ends
by melting them. Due to this drawback, we recommend the nylon
only for the hanging loop, not for
body of the tassel.
