There are a couple methods I frequently use with bookmarks.
Bookmarks ending square -- not pointed.
I fringe a bookmark that has a flat end. Take two adjacent pairs together. Put a large pin (I like glass headed quilting pins) at the bottom of the lace where the fringe knot should be. Lenghen the threads so there's 6-8 inches. Cut off the bobbins. Make a large overhand knot with the four threads and slide the open loop of the knot over the head of the large pin. Carefully pull the knot tight around the pin. (If you are letting the bobbins hang to straighten the threads, wait till the next day to cut and tie.)
Using the pin to control the location of the knot makes a neat, even finish. If you have an odd number of pairs, knot three pairs together around one pin.
Bookmarks with points
Make the bookmark up to the final row of stitches going down the sides of the point. Make the outside corner stitch as normal. On second stitch, CTCt with the correct pairs, then tuck the leftover pair from the first stitch like a gimp between the two stitch pairs. Put ini the pin and complete the stitch CTCT.
On the third stitch, CTC the correct pairs, then tuck in both leftover pairs, put in the pin, and complete the stitch with CTCT. Do the same on the fourth stitch, tucking in three leftover pairs.
At this point you have a choice. If you have lots of pairs, and want to reduce the amount of threads in the tassel, you can start throwing out the oldest of the leftover pairs -- in other words, discard the pair from the first stitch. It has gone through three stitches as a gimp and is now secure. I often throw out up to half of the pairs, leaving half to make a smaller tassel. While doing this, I like to keep the pairs in order so the oldest pair is on the inside edge of the 'gimp'.
OR -- You can continue tucking all leftover pairs in each stitch until you reach the point, then use all the pairs in the tassel.
Point stitch
Take the worker pair from each side of the point stitch. Pass all the leftover tassel threads between the two worker threads like a normal gimp, twist once, then make the point stitch CTCT pin CTCT. Return to the outside of the tassel pairs as before -- passing them like a gimp. Twist. Then wrap each worker pair around the tassel pairs-- lift tassel pairs, pass one thread over and then under, the second thread under and then over. Pull snuggly and knot. Do the same with the worker pair on the other side. Now finish your tassel as you like.
Tassels:
1. Plain.
Do a second wrap or knot at the point (see methods below). Let hang. Trim to desired length.
2. Braided
Divide the tassel threads into four bundles and plait them for an inch or so. Or divide them in three bundles and do a traditional braid. Fasten the braid. Let hang. Trim to desired length.
Fastening methods
-----Fasten with a pair wrapped around and knotted. OR
-----Fasten with a large overhand knot. OR
-----Fasten with a row of half hitches. OR
-----your favorite knotting method. (Thanks, Doris, for the macrame knot method. I'll have to try it.)
And thanks also to the person who suggested letting the bobbins hang over the edge of the pillow over night to straighten the tassel threads before finishing. I was usually too eager to get it finished to think about the thread kinks. I'll try this on my next bookmarks.
Happy lacing, Alice in Oregon -- where we have our second day of rain in over a month.
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