7 Best Purse Tassels For Decorative Accents To Try
Elevate your handbag style with our top 7 purse tassels for decorative accents. Explore these unique designs and upgrade your favorite accessory today. Shop now!
Adding a tassel to a handmade bag is the equivalent of adding a custom button to a hand-knit cardigan; it elevates the piece from a craft project to a finished accessory. Choosing the right decorative accent requires an understanding of how weight, drape, and texture interact with the fabric of the bag itself. A tassel should complement the stitch definition rather than overwhelm it, especially when working with heavy-gauge yarns. The following selections focus on durability and aesthetic versatility for every type of maker.
Mandalina Crafts Leather Tassel: Best for Structure
Leather provides a rigid, clean silhouette that stands up well to the constant friction of daily use. For bags knit with structured yarns like cotton or linen, these tassels maintain their shape without wilting or fraying over time.
Because they lack the fluid movement of fiber, they work best on bags that have a boxy or minimalist design. They won’t tangle, making them an excellent choice for a frequently carried everyday tote.
Outus Faux Suede Tassel: Top Budget-Friendly Pick
Faux suede offers a soft, tactile experience that mimics real leather at a fraction of the cost. These are perfect for those who want to experiment with color matching without committing to expensive materials.
The trade-off is longevity; faux suede can sometimes show wear at the ends after a few months of heavy rubbing against textured wool or tweed. However, their light weight ensures they won’t pull at the stitches of a delicate knit bag.
The Tassel Shop Silky Tassel: Most Elegant Option
A silky, rayon-based tassel provides a high-sheen contrast to the matte surface of wool or acrylic yarns. These are best utilized on formal clutches or evening bags where a touch of luxury is required to finish the look.
Note that these tassels are incredibly fluid and can get caught in zippers or purse clasps if not positioned carefully. Keep the length moderate to maintain elegance without creating a snag hazard for the rest of the accessory.
Lion Brand Wool-Ease Tassel: Best for Knit Bags
Using a tassel crafted from the same fiber as the bag creates a cohesive, professional appearance that looks like part of the original design. These wool-based options blend seamlessly with the bag’s stitch patterns, especially if worked in a matching or complementary colorway.
Be mindful of fiber content; a wool tassel will felt slightly over time if exposed to moisture. It is best suited for bags that are intended for dry, cool-weather use rather than beach or summer totes.
Boho Crafts Beaded Tassel: Best Bohemian Vibe
Beaded accents add weight and kinetic energy to a handbag, moving beautifully when the wearer is in motion. These work exceptionally well on slouchy bags or market totes knit with variegated yarns.
The primary consideration is the weight of the beads, which can cause sag if attached to a bag knit with a loose gauge or soft, inelastic fiber. Always ensure the attachment point is reinforced with an extra anchor stitch to prevent the weight of the beads from pulling the knit fabric out of shape.
PandaHall Elite Mini Tassels: Best for Small Bags
When working on small-scale projects like coin purses or phone sleeves, a standard-sized tassel often looks disproportionate. Mini tassels provide the perfect decorative scale, adding character without overwhelming the delicate dimensions of the piece.
These are best used in multiples rather than as a single statement piece. They function well as zipper pulls or decorative corner accents, providing a playful touch to smaller hand-knit items.
Tiered & True Layered Tassel: Best Statement Piece
Layered tassels utilize multiple lengths or textures to create a high-impact, dimensional look. They serve as the focal point of a bag, making them ideal for simple, stockinette-stitch designs that need a bit of visual flair to stand out.
Because these are more complex, they can be difficult to clean and are prone to tangling if they contain many different fiber types. Keep them away from Velcro closures or rough bag hardware that could pull at the layered strands.
Choosing Tassel Material: Leather vs. Fiber vs. Suede
Selecting the right material is a balancing act between the weight of your bag fabric and the intended usage of the item. Fiber tassels are lightweight and move with the fabric, while leather and suede provide a heavier, more grounding aesthetic.
- Leather: Best for durable, everyday items; won’t tangle; adds structural weight.
- Fiber: Best for matching the bag’s texture; lightweight; can be washed with the item.
- Suede: Best for a soft, matte aesthetic; offers a balance between structure and movement.
If the bag is intended for heavy daily use, prioritize materials that resist friction. Conversely, for a delicate piece like a lace-weight evening pouch, stick to light, soft fiber or silk tassels that won’t distort the stitches.
How to Securely Attach a Tassel to Any Handbag
Never attach a tassel directly to a single strand of yarn, as the weight will inevitably cause the stitch to stretch or break over time. Always utilize a jump ring or a swivel clasp to distribute the weight across multiple stitches or a reinforced cord.
If you are attaching to a knitted bag, weave a scrap of matching yarn through the backside of the stitches to create an anchor point, then loop the tassel hardware through that reinforced section. This prevents the hardware from rubbing against the main body of the work.
Caring for Your Tassels: Keeping Them Tangle-Free
Tassels act like tiny dust and debris magnets, so a quick brush with a clean spoolie or a wide-tooth comb can restore their luster. If the tassel is made of yarn, gently steaming it—without touching the iron directly to the fiber—can help straighten out kinks from storage.
If the tassel begins to fray, a very light trim with sharp fabric scissors can restore its crisp, clean edge. Always store your bags upright and ensure the tassel is hanging freely to prevent the strands from becoming permanently bent or matted.
Finding the perfect tassel is about matching the weight and personality of your accessory with a finish that feels intentional. Whether choosing a simple leather strand or a dramatic layered piece, remember that the goal is to enhance the craftsmanship rather than distract from it. With the right hardware and proper care, these decorative accents provide the perfect finishing touch to any hand-knit masterpiece.
