tassel length varied by melting around circumference

[alana]

actually, it's frayed cord, to form a tassel - ?

i like frayed ends, they add a feature look and a softer look at the same time.
on a lanyard knot i like the ends to be lengthy sometimes,
and with that, the finished tassel could get untidy,
so here i've sealed the cord cover around the circumference with the light touch of a heat knife, and so short tassels are possible.   

[alana]

up close it looks a bit harsh,
maybe i'll just use constrictor knot,
only done that once before.

whipping also might look better, come to think of it

[wysper]

up close it looks a bit harsh,
<snip>
whipping also might look better, come to think of it

I agree, even a simple common whipping might look a bit nicer.
A way to add a contrasting colour too if you wanted.

[KnotMe]

If you're ambitious (I didn't count how many strands there were in the braid), you could take the sub-strands and crown+wall => diamond knot => tassel.  Also, if you steam the ends it'll straighten out the strands and make the end tassels look more finished

[alana]

interesting idea,
and i probably won't attempt it!,
i think 16 strands. 

good idea with the steam ☺

[KnotMe]

if 16 then group into 8, not that bad. 

[alana]

oh, good idea  ☺

i hit my head pretty bad a couple months ago so not sure how much is me not thinking and how much is mild brain injury !

[KnotMe]

Take care of yourself, your random designs and experiments always brighten my day! 

[alana]

I agree, even a simple common whipping might look a bit nicer.
A way to add a contrasting colour too if you wanted.

👍  good idea

[alana]

Take care of yourself, your random designs and experiments always brighten my day! 

oh, thanks dear KnotMe,
 and to you too ☺
take care and i like your ideas and points of view

[alana]

happy with this effect,
seal a cord end by melting end with lighter flame radiating heat, and pulling through a clothespeg,
cut a piece off it that is the length of the tassel, turn it endwise, and that's the tassel,
seal the cord end again,
then join the tassel piece on the end with heat, and shape with pliers

easier done than said...

[KnotMe]

happy with this effect,
seal a cord end by melting end with lighter flame radiating heat, and pulling through a clothespeg,
cut a piece off it that is the length of the tassel, turn it endwise, and that's the tassel,
seal the cord end again,
then join the tassel piece on the end with heat, and shape with pliers

easier done than said...

Doing a perfect melt join is a PitA.  Since you're already working with synthetics for the melting, much easier would be to do a small simple whipping or maybe just a constrictor with a nylon thread and then apply cyanacrylic glue to the thread.  Superglue cause nylon to harden.  I'm not sure if it will shrink slightly as well but it's easy enough to experiment. 

[alana]

that would just about be perfect, a dot of - is that superglue? - cyanacrylic - but - how do i stop the whole tube from going off?
plus .. fumes .. and me sticking my fingers together ..

circling back to constrictor and good ole whipping ! 😀

plus, yeh i got a bit of carby on the melted ends, yeh a p.it.a to get it just right

p.s hold the cord end near the blue part of the flame (a lighter) to prevent carbing up

[KnotMe]

that would just about be perfect, a dot of - is that superglue? - cyanacrylic - but - how do i stop the whole tube from going off?
plus .. fumes .. and me sticking my fingers together ..

Most of the brands have "single use" packaging.  Just look for "superglue single use" for a bunch of options.  As for sticking your fingers together, have a bottle of nail polish remover handy. 

plus, yeh i got a bit of carby on the melted ends, yeh a p.it.a to get it just right

p.s hold the cord end near the blue part of the flame (a lighter) to prevent carbing up

using a candle gives you one of your hands back for control.  I made a video about my adventures. 

[SS369]

I think some mini-turksheads would look awesome as a whipping for the tassels. Would be a nice looking challenge!

SS