It’s been so cold lately — everywhere, it seems — so I made a cozy winter DIY to help stay warm and add texture to my living room.
I upgraded a $20 knit throw using a few skeins of chunky yarn and transformed it into a textured, colorful tassel blanket. No pom poms here — just a simple, modern tassel detail. It’s an easy, budget-friendly project that gives mass-produced throws a custom, handmade look.
The idea came after I spotted a cute blanket while shopping. I liked the look of a pricier store version but not the price (it was over $100) or the available colors — and it was already sold out. So I bought a similar knit throw and recreated the look myself for roughly one-fifth of the price. Even better: I customized the color palette to match my studio living room.
Materials you’ll need
- a knit blanket or throw (mine was a $19.99 Target knit throw)
- thick yarn in one or several colors
- scissors
- washi tape or painter’s tape for planning placement
How to make a DIY tassel blanket
1. Lay your blanket flat and decide where you want the tassels. I used painter’s tape to mark each tassel placement so I could see the spacing before I started working. This step makes the process faster and helps you keep the layout even, though it’s optional if you prefer to work intuitively.
2. Cut yarn lengths for the tassels. Each yarn piece should be twice the finished tassel length because it will be folded in half when attached. For example, if you want 6″ tassels, cut each yarn piece to 12″. You’ll need many strands: each tassel “clump” will likely contain around 15–25 pieces of yarn depending on how full you want it.
I used four colors, alternating them to build a subtle stripe effect. You can use a single color or as many as you like — that’s the beauty of a DIY.
3. Attach the yarn to the blanket. Because the throw is knit, you can pull apart a loop in the weave and knot yarn pieces through the holes by hand. Fold each cut strand in half, push the folded loop through a hole in the knit, then pull the loose ends through the loop and tighten to form a secure knot (a lark’s head knot). Keep adding strands into nearby holes so each tassel looks like a unified clump. Double knot if you want extra security.
4. Repeat across the blanket until you’ve filled every marked spot. Once all tassels are attached, trim the ends so they are even and tidy. Give the blanket a final shake and straighten any tassels that need adjusting.
Tips and variations
- Use thicker yarn or combine two strands for extra fullness.
- Vary tassel length along the blanket edge for a playful, organic look.
- Mix neutral and bold colors for a modern contrast or stick to tones that match your room for a cohesive finish.
- If your knit has a very tight weave, use a yarn needle or small crochet hook to pull the folded loop through.
This project is an easy way to personalize a simple throw and create a cozy accessory that stands out. It’s great for gift-giving too — customized color and texture make even an inexpensive blanket feel special. Are you planning to try this DIY? If it’s cold where you are, a handmade tassel blanket is a lovely, low-cost way to add warmth and style.