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Fringe

We're not about to discuss the television show nor the adjective regarding not being a part of the mainstream.  This post will cover the ornamental border of tassels or twists at the edge of clothing and in this case knitted clothing.  Many projects can be improved with a bit of fringe added to them.  I rather like fringe on afghans and scarfs, but it can be added to sweaters, shawls and other items as well.  So let's take a quick walk through fringeland, shall we?

The traditional or simple fringe is relatively easy to create.  Click on this link which shows you step by step how to add a 2-stranded fringe to a scarf.  You can, of course, make your fringe as many strands as your yarn will allow.  (Remember fringe does use a lot of yarn so plan appropriately.)   Once you have the strands cut and folded in half, you can use a crochet hook to insert them into projects knit with smaller needles; but my experience allows me to say for bigger needled projects, your fingers work just as well.



Should you wish to have a more complicated look consider double or triple knot fringes.  (Click on this video to see how it's done.)  They are a bit fussy looking for the typical scarf but can add great impact to a lacy shawl.

Double Knot Fringe
Triple Knot Fringe














A more nontraditional look for fringe has it own name: tendrils.  They are knit using a simple technique.  Should you want specifics about how to make them click on the YouTube link above created by Cat Borhi (a well known knitting writer, video creator and blogger).   Below is a photo of how tendrils look.  They have been used to accentuate toques (hats), scarves or like the photo below shows can be used on their own to make a scarf .  I'm sure tendrils would be appropriate to finish the baby wig I wrote about recently.  I like tendrils, but as of yet have not had the opportunity to use them; however, I have a feeling they will pop up in something soon.



Tendrils

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