To make the fringe on a shawl, cut strands twice as long as the finished fringe, plus a few centimeters of margin. Gather them into small bunches, fold them in half, and tie them along the edge with a crochet hook. Finally, comb them and trim them with scissors. It is a simple task, but attention to detail makes the difference between neat and messy fringe.
What you need
- Yarn for the fringe: the same as the shawl or a contrasting color (see how to choose the yarn).
- A piece of stiff cardboard or a book to use as a template.
- Sharp scissors.
- A crochet hook, even smaller than the one used for the shawl: it is only needed to pull the strands through the edge.
- A wide-tooth comb and a long ruler.
How long should the strands be
Each strand is folded in half, so it should be cut to twice the length of the finished fringe, plus 2–3 cm for the knot and final trimming. For a 30 cm fringe, you need strands of about 63 cm.
The quickest way to cut them all evenly is to use a template: take a piece of cardboard as high as half the length of the strand (in this example, about 31–32 cm), wrap the yarn around it without pulling, then cut along one of the two sides. Each turn becomes a strand of the right length.
How many strands per bunch and at what distance
There is no single rule: it depends on the thickness of the yarn and the effect you want.
- With a medium or thick yarn, bunches of 2 to 4 strands are usually enough.
- With a thin yarn, you need more to get full fringe.
- The distance between one bunch and the next is generally 2 to 4 stitches.
Try it on a 10 cm section of the edge, look at the effect, and then decide. Remember that fringe uses a lot of yarn: it is best to calculate it beforehand, especially if the shawl is large or if the fringe is a different color.
How to tie the fringe, step by step
- Take a bunch of strands and fold it in half, forming a loop.
- Insert the crochet hook into the edge of the shawl, from the right side to the wrong side.
- Hook the loop and pull it through the edge for a few centimeters.
- Pass the ends of the strands through the loop.
- Pull the ends down until the knot closes against the edge. This knot is called a "lark's head knot".
- Repeat along the entire edge, keeping the same distance between the bunches.
Tighten all the knots with the same force: knots pulled too tight will pucker the edge, while knots that are too loose will loosen with use.
Before or after blocking?
Better after. Blocking, which means washing or dampening the shawl and letting it dry flat pinned with needles, stabilizes the stitches and brings the garment to its final size. By tying the fringe afterward, you work on an edge that will no longer change shape, and the fringe stays straight.
Comb and trim
When all the bunches are tied, lay the shawl on a table and comb the fringe with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Place a long ruler at the desired height and cut with a single, firm stroke of the scissors, section by section. If the fringe tends to curl, dampen it slightly and let it dry flat.
Care over time
The fringe is the part that moves the most and therefore gets messy first. After use, shake it gently and, if necessary, comb it. For washing, follow the symbols on the yarn label, which follow the international standard described by GINETEX (in English), and let the shawl dry flat, with the fringe spread out.
The fringe on the Odette Shawl, the first BonTon pattern, is about 30 cm long and follows every movement of the person wearing it. The PDF contains step-by-step instructions and a chart. If you need help during the process, you can write to us.
Frequently asked questions
How long should the strands for the fringe be?
Twice the finished length of the fringe, plus 2–3 cm. For a 30 cm fringe, you need strands of about 63 cm, because each strand is folded in half and part of it is lost in the knot and trimming.
Is the fringe made before or after blocking the shawl?
Usually after. Blocking brings the shawl to its final shape and size; by tying the fringe afterward, it stays straight and at the same distance.
Can the fringe be made with a different yarn than the one used for the shawl?
Yes. A contrasting color is a common choice. It is best to use a yarn of similar or thicker weight, because a yarn that is too thin gives light fringe and tends to get messy.
How do you prevent the fringe from getting messy?
By tying all the knots with the same tension, combing it after use, and washing the shawl gently, letting it dry flat. A light dampening and flat drying will put it back in order.