Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial
Last week we shared the first two Martenitsa tutorials (bracelet and puppet dolls) from The Saturday Market Project. If you missed that, here’s a little background on the Martenitsa story…

In Bulgaria there is a centuries old tradition of celebrating Baba Marta aka ‘Grandmother March Day.’ It begins on March 1st and continues all month long. The entire celebration is all about welcoming in the fresh blooms of spring. Along with the festivities, is the tradition of making Martenitsa adornments to give to friends and family, which you wear all month long to promote happiness and prosperity.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

Today we will be tackling tassels and pom-poms. They are insanely easy to make and are great tutorials to have on hand if you want to decorate gifts or make cute garlands. Don’t forget to stop by The Saturday Market Project shop to see their array of high-quality craft supplies, and get craft inspiration by checking out their projects.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial
Photo credit: Arne Zacher

Check out the Martenitsa Tassels and Pom-Poms tutorial after the jump…

POM-POMS STEP ONE
Cut a piece of card to 4″ x 4″ (10 x 10 cm). This way you know that the maximum size of your pom-pom will be a bit less than 4″. It also means you can shorten it to anything less than 4″. To make a larger one, simply make sure the size of the card you cut is bigger than the size of the pom-pom you’d like to create. To begin with however, 4″ x 4″ is a good, comfortable size to work from.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

POM-POMS STEP TWO
Using the knife, cut a rectangle from the middle of the card. Around 2″ x 1″ (6 x 3cm) in size.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

POM-POMS STEP THREE
Using one of the balls of yarn, make 50 revolutions around the card, overlapping the rectangular hole. Once this is done, cut the yarn and repeat the process with the other color of yarn. You should end up with 100 loops of both red and white yarn around the card.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

POM-POMS STEP FOUR
Cut about 8″ (20cm) of your bracelet rope.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

POM-POMS STEP FIVE
Use the red and white rope to loop around the entire bundle of yarn and through the rectangular hole in the card. Make a tight knot and trim one of the two ropes close to the knot.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

POM-POMS STEP SIX
Cut through the entire bundle of yarn at both ends, along the edges of the card.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

POM-POMS STEP SEVEN
Use the scissors to trim the pom-pom to a nice rounded shape.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

POM-POMS STEP EIGHT
When you’re happy with the shape – its done!

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

POM-POMS STEP NINE
Repeat the same process for the second pom-pom, then tie the two together using the twisted rope, knotted in a bow.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

POM-POMS STEP TEN
Use a pin and attach to the coats and shirts of family and friends!

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

DIY Tassels

TASSELS STEP ONE
Cut a piece of card to 4″ x 4″ (10 x 10cm). This way you know that the maximum length of your tassel will be a bit less than 4″. It also means you can shorten it to anything less than 4″. To make a larger one, simply make sure the size of the card you cut is bigger than the size of the tassel you’d like to create. To begin with however, 4″ x 4″ is a good, comfortable size to work from.
Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

TASSELS STEP TWO
Start winding the red or the white yarn around the card, making about 20 – 50 revolutions. When you have finished winding, snip the end of the yarn.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

TASSELS STEP THREE
Cut about 8″ (20cm) of your bracelet rope.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

TASSELS STEP FOUR
Thread the rope underneath the wrapped yarn in the middle of the card and make a knot.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

TASSELS STEP FIVE
Turn the card over and snip through the middle of the wrapped yarn.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

TASSELS STEP SIX
Pick up the bundle by the twisted rope and stroke down to make a neat lock of yarn.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

TASSELS STEP SEVEN
Take a piece of yarn in the color you have not yet used. Traditionally red tassels are tied with white threads and vice-versa. Feel free not to follow this if you prefer, but the contrast does look effective!

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

TASSELS STEP EIGHT
Tie the yarn thread around the tassel at the top to form the “head”. The smaller you make the head the smaller the whole martenitsa can be.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

TASSELS STEP NINE
Trim the end of the twisted yarn close to the knot, as well as the yarn around the head to neaten. Lastly trim the yarn at the bottom of your tassel to the desired length, making sure all the threads are even.
Once the one is done, repeat the same process in the opposite colors!

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

TASSELS STEP TEN
To finish, tie both the red and white tassels together by their twisted ropes, making a nice knot with a bow.

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

TASSELS STEP ELEVEN
Use a safety pin and attach to coats and jumpers of family and friends!

Martenitsa Tassels & Pom-Poms Tutorial

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