For this first part of the Sankakusui-Koma tutorial, we will make the tassel with Winter, a Special Twist Anaito 100% Silk Thread. It is a 3-ply twist of these 3 colors: KNK-800, KNK-075 and KNK-White. We will add a solid color of Anaito 100% Silk Thread KNK-004 for contrast. See the full project description in the previous post.
Part 1: The Tassel and Loop
1. If you have a thread dispenser for the spools, use it. Note: If you use solid colors on cards, either iron out the creases or wash them away at step 7.
2. Fold a 6 inches (15 cm) piece of card stock in 1/2 and wrap it with the silk thread 45 to 60 times depending on how thick you want your tassel to be.
3. With a 12 inch (31 cm) piece of thread and a tapestry needle, go around the thread bundle at the folded side of the card stock. This will be the tassel suspension cord. Use a stronger bonded nylon cord for this part if desired.
4. Tie the 2 thread ends together making sure the bundle is highly help. Use a flat knot, aka square knot reef knot, or common knot, right over left, and left over right. Look at how to tie this knot here if you forgot how. Make sure to tighten the first part of the knot before tightening the second half.
5. Cut the thread at the opposite side of card stock with sharp scissors.
6. Choose the color for the neck wrap. Cut an 18 inch (40 cm) length.
7. Wet the tassel under running water. This is especially important if you work with Anaito Silk on cards as creases leftover from being wrapped around the cards need to be washed out or ironed out ahead of time.
8. Wrap the tassel with a piece of clear plastic and secure it with rubber bands.
9. Pull plastic wrap down to make space for the tassel head and neck. Start the wrap by securing one end of the new thread under the elastic band.
10. Fold it back into a loop. Hold it right at edge of the plastic wrap.
11. Wrap around at edge of plastic wrap, pull through loop, and tighten. Repeat wrap and half hitch.
12. Continue with wraps. End last 2 wraps with half hitches.
13. Put end of thread through the loop.
14. Pull on thread by plastic wrap. It will pull the end on the right. Once it is right at center, and all the loose ends are tucked in, cut the 2 thread ends.
15. Bring the plastic wrap up, and cut the ends of the tassel skirt with sharp scissors. I like to use larger scissor for this task.
The tassel is now completed. Its anatomy comprises of the suspension cord, the head, the wrapped neck, and the tassel skirt.16. For the loop, just take a piece of Chinese Knotting Cord Size E for this project or a larger size for larger komas. Fold it in half and tie it with an overhand knot. It makes a loop.
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