Crochet fringe and tassel calculator

Fringe uses more yarn than it looks, and cutting strands the wrong length is easy to do. This calculator works out how long to cut each strand, the card size to wrap them on, how many knots and strands an edge needs, and the yarn for the fringe and for any tassels.

How to use the calculator

1. Choose fringe, tassels or both.
2. Fringe: enter the edge width, the number of fringed edges, the space between knots, the strands folded into each knot, the finished hanging length and the allowance for the knot and trimming. Tick twisted fringe if you will twist the strands.
3. Tassels: enter the number of tassels, the card height (the tassel's length), the wraps round the card and the yarn for tying.
4. Cut a few strands, knot them and check before cutting the rest.

How the calculator works

Each fringe strand is folded in half through the edge, so:

Cut length = 2 × hanging length + knot allowance

Twisted fringe takes about 15% more. Wrap the yarn round a card half the cut length and cut along one edge.

Knots per edge = edge width ÷ space between knots + 1, so both corners get a knot.

Strands = knots × strands per knot, and fringe yarn = strands × cut length.

Each wrap round a tassel card uses twice the card height:

Yarn per tassel = 2 × wraps × card height + yarn for tying

Reading your results

• Cut each strand: with the card size to wrap on.
• Knots, strands to cut and hanging ends.
• Yarn for fringe, yarn per tassel and yarn for all the tassels, and the total when you choose both.

Worked example

Fringe on both 50 in ends of a blanket, a knot every inch with 3 strands each, hanging 6 in, with 2 in for the knot:

• Cut length: 2 × 6 + 2 = 14 in; wrap round a 7 in card.
• Knots: (50 ÷ 1 + 1) × 2 = 102.
• Strands: 102 × 3 = 306 (612 hanging ends), using 306 × 14 = 4,284 in, which is 119 yd.

Four tassels of 30 wraps on a 5 in card, with 36 in for tying, use 2 × 30 × 5 + 36 = 336 in (9.33 yd) each: 37.3 yd for all four. Fringe and tassels together need about 156 yd.

Accuracy and limits

• The arithmetic is exact and covered by our automated tests. No extra is added, so allow a little for trimming and mistakes.
• The 15% for twisted fringe and the knot allowance are working estimates; test a few strands.
• Dense fringe can use half a ball or more; buy it from the same dye lot as the project.

Common mistakes

1. Cutting all the strands first. Knot a few and check the length; it is easy to cut too short.
2. Forgetting the fold. Each strand hangs as two ends, so it is cut to twice the hanging length plus the knot.
3. Uneven knots. Mark the knot positions with stitch markers before you start.

Tips for more accurate results

• Wrap the strands round a book or card of the right height, then cut along one edge, for strands that are all the same length.
• Trim the fringe straight after attaching it, with the piece laid flat.
• For the blanket's border or edging yarn, use the border yarn calculator.

Frequently asked questions