Earrings with Thread: Make Silk Thread Tassels
Make a beautiful pair of tassel earrings with thread! These gorgeous dangle earrings are a bit involved to learn, but once you do them a couple of times, you’ll be able to recreate it in your sleep! Check out my full list of DIY dangle earrings and then scroll down for this tutorial! Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.
Thread earrings have a reputation for being more of a quirky tweeny thing to wear. But they don’t have to be! These beautiful tassels feature an elegant knot at the top and were made with sophisticated colors for the benefit of this tutorial.
You can make these in any muted colors to keep it mature, or even add metallics for a touch of glam!
Once you master it, each pair takes minutes to make. Mastering it is a great Sunday afternoon goal – or try it on a rainy day.
What you need to make these silk threaded earrings:
- Silk thread in two shades
- Thread scissors
- Hook earwires
- Serrated jaw pliers
Want to learn how to make jewelry out of anything? Get the book!
How to make earrings with thread:
Watch the tutorial – that’s the best way to learn how to make earrings with thread! The written instructions below are for reference.
1. Start by winding the first color of thread around your hand/fingers (depending on the length you prefer). Wind it as thick as you’d like that color to be. Remove it from your hand, keeping it looped. Pinch your bundle in one spot and cut through the loops at one end.
Make two such thread groupings and repeat twice with a second color. You should now have two folded bunches of thread each in two different colors for a total of four.
2. To clarify this tutorial, I’ll be referring to the colors as used in these photos.
Place the first navy thread bundle vertically on your surface, with the fold on the bottom. Slide the folded side of your first white bundle under right side of the navy one and over the left side. Slide your second navy up through the loop of the white. Loop your second white over the two upward bunches of threads from your first navy bundle. Slide all the ends (both groups) through the loop of your second navy bundle. You should now have the arrangement pictured.
3. Carefully grab your four bundles of thread with both hands and pull to form a square weave. In the next few steps you’ll be moving around your thread bundle clockwise. Take your first navy bundle and fold over the next white bundle. Take that white and fold forward over the navy you just brought forward and the next navy one. Take the next navy and fold over the next two white. Take the next white and fold over the next navy, and through the navy loop from the first fold. Once again, pull all four sides to form a small square weave.
4. Bring the four groups of thread and smooth them so that they hang down. Cut a length of thread and create a loop. Bring the main two thread tails through the loop loosely, forming a double thread slipknot in a loose loop. Insert the woven portion of your threaded earrings through the loop and pull the slipknot tight once it’s in place.
Wind it around a bunch of times and then knot in place.
Fold the “tails” of this thread down to blend with the rest of the tassel.
5. Trim your thread tassel to your desired length.
6. Make a second tassel. Add earwires through the top of your tassel.
Wear your threaded earrings proudly!
Now that you’ve made it once, you can practice with more colors. Once you do it a few times, you’ll be able to do it in your sleep and it’ll be even more fun!
Have you ever made earrings with thread? What’s your favorite style? Got any tips for making something more involved like this? Comment below!
Print the craft:
Craft these beautiful and elegant silk thread tassel earrings in a short time! This fun jewelry making project for beginners will have you making it again and again until you've completed the rainbow. 1. Start by winding the first color of thread around your hand/fingers (depending on the length you prefer). Wind it as thick as you'd like that color to be. Remove it from your hand, keeping it looped. Pinch your bundle in one spot and cut through the loops at one end. Make two such thread groupings and repeat twice with a second color. You should now have two folded bunches of thread each in two different colors for a total of four. 2. To clarify this tutorial, I'll be referring to the colors as used in the sample pair Place the first navy thread bundle vertically on your surface, with the fold on the bottom. Slide the folded side of your first white bundle under right side of the navy one and over the left side. Slide your second navy up through the loop of the white. Loop your second white over the two upward bunches of threads from your first navy bundle. Slide all the ends (both groups) through the loop of your second navy bundle. 3. Carefully grab your four bundles of thread with both hands and pull to form a square weave. In the next few steps you'll be moving around your thread bundle clockwise. Take your first navy bundle and fold over the next white bundle. Take that white and fold forward over the navy you just brought forward and the next navy one. Take the next navy and fold over the next two white. Take the next white and fold over the next navy, and through the navy loop from the first fold. Once again, pull all four sides to form a small square weave. 4. Bring the four groups of thread and smooth them so that they hang down. Cut a length of thread and create a loop. Bring the main two thread tails through the loop loosely, forming a double thread slipknot in a loose loop. Insert the woven portion of your threaded earrings through the loop and pull the slipknot tight once it's in place. Wind it around a bunch of times and then knot in place. Fold the "tails" of this thread down to blend with the rest of the tassel. 5. Trim your thread tassel to your desired length. 6. Make a second tassel. Add earwires through the top of your tassels. Now that you've made it once, you can practice with more colors. Once you do it a few times, you'll be able to do it in your sleep and it'll be even more fun! As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
DIY Thread Tassel Earrings
Materials
Instructions
Notes
Recommended Products
WOW! This is how I am going to make ALL my tassels from now on, not just for earrings. I really like the detail they add to the top. And since I recognized the “braided” lanyard technique from all those plastic lacing lanyards I made at camp, I already feel comfortable with the technique. But I NEVER would have used it for a tassel top, so I am grateful you did–AND that you shared it with all of us. Thanks for sharing all your good ideas, my friend.
Hi NancyGrace,
As we craft, we realize how many of the techniques we used as kids are actual “starter” techniques for what can be sophisticated projects! And you are VERY welcome