6 Best Velvet Ribbons for Tassel Embellishments
Elevate your craft with our top six velvet ribbons for tassels. Discover durable, luxurious textures that add elegance and professional flair to any project.
Adding a velvet ribbon tassel to a hand-knit project is the quickest way to elevate a simple hat or shawl into a high-end boutique piece. However, not all ribbons behave the same way when paired with delicate wool or hand-dyed yarns. Choosing the right velvet ensures your embellishment maintains its luster without fraying or weighing down your stitches. Here are the top six ribbons that stand up to the rigors of frequent wear while providing that essential touch of luxury.
Mokuba New York Luxury Silk Velvet Ribbon
Mokuba is the gold standard for a reason, offering a drape that synthetic ribbons simply cannot replicate. Because it is crafted from silk, it catches the light with a subtle, sophisticated sheen rather than a plastic-like glare.
For a luxury shawl or a special occasion accessory, this is the ribbon you want. It is exceptionally soft, which means it won’t irritate the skin if the tassel brushes against your neck.
Keep in mind that silk velvet is more delicate than polyester blends. You must handle it with care during the construction of your tassel to avoid crushing the pile.
Offray Double Faced Velvet Ribbon for Crafts
If you are a knitter who loves a clean look from every angle, double-faced ribbon is your best friend. Offray provides a consistent, lush pile on both sides, ensuring your tassel looks perfect even when it twists and turns in the wind.
This ribbon is much more forgiving than silk, making it ideal for everyday hats or children’s wear. It holds up well to the occasional wash, which is a practical necessity for winter accessories.
The trade-off here is a slightly stiffer hand compared to silk. It creates a more structured, upright tassel rather than a fluid, draping one.
May Arts Premium Velvet Ribbon Collection
May Arts offers a staggering variety of colors, which is a lifesaver when you are trying to match a specific hand-dyed yarn colorway. Their velvet has a dense pile that hides the raw edges of your tassel cuts quite well.
I often recommend this brand to knitters who are new to embellishing. It is easy to work with, doesn’t fray excessively when cut, and provides a very reliable, uniform aesthetic.
Just be aware that the density of the ribbon can make it slightly bulkier when you are threading it through a yarn tassel loop. You may need to use a slightly larger tapestry needle to pull it through the center of your yarn bundle.
Berwick Offray Classic Velvet Ribbon Spools
This is the workhorse of the ribbon world, found in almost every craft store for good reason. It is durable, colorfast, and remarkably resistant to the wear and tear of daily use.
If you are knitting gifts for people who aren’t necessarily "hand-wash only" types, this is your best choice. It stands up to the friction of coat collars and scarf movements without losing its velvet finish.
While it lacks the ethereal glow of silk, its practicality is unmatched. It is the perfect choice for a heavy-duty winter beanie that will see a lot of snow and wind.
Creative Ideas Velvet Ribbon for Embellishing
Creative Ideas delivers a ribbon that sits right in the middle of the spectrum regarding weight and texture. It is thin enough to knot easily but thick enough to hold a crisp shape at the base of a tassel.
I find this ribbon particularly useful for smaller projects like fingerless mitts or baby booties. It doesn’t overwhelm the delicate stitch patterns with too much weight.
The key with this brand is to ensure you use a sharp pair of fabric shears when trimming your lengths. Because it is a lighter-weight velvet, a dull blade will cause the edges to fray instantly.
Morex Ribbon Velvet Finish Decorative Trim
Morex focuses on a very tight weave that makes the ribbon feel quite sturdy. It is an excellent choice if you plan on layering your velvet with other textures, such as metallic thread or lace.
The velvet finish is consistent and resists the "bald spots" that can sometimes appear on cheaper ribbons after being folded or stored tightly. It maintains its integrity even after being tied into a tight knot.
This is a great "all-rounder" ribbon for the knitter who keeps a stash of embellishments on hand. It pairs beautifully with both rustic wools and smooth, polished acrylics.
Selecting the Perfect Ribbon Width for Tassels
The width of your ribbon dictates the scale of your tassel. For a standard DK or worsted weight hat, a 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch ribbon is usually the sweet spot.
If you go too wide, the velvet will struggle to fold neatly into the center of your yarn bundle. If you go too narrow, the tassel may look sparse or unbalanced against the bulk of the yarn.
Always consider the "weight" of your yarn. A heavy, chunky yarn needs a wider ribbon to match its visual presence, whereas a delicate lace-weight project requires something much finer.
Best Fiber Blends for Durable Tassel Projects
When choosing your ribbon, you are essentially choosing between natural silk and synthetic polyester. Silk offers unmatched beauty but requires gentle handling and occasional professional cleaning.
Polyester blends, conversely, are the champions of durability. They are generally colorfast, meaning they won’t bleed onto your precious hand-knit wool if you get caught in the rain.
- Silk Velvet: Best for heirloom pieces and luxury shawls.
- Polyester Velvet: Best for winter hats, scarves, and frequently used items.
- Rayon/Nylon Blends: Offer a nice middle-ground, often with a very soft hand.
Techniques for Securing Ribbon to Yarn Tassels
Never rely on a simple knot alone to secure a ribbon to a yarn tassel. I always recommend using a small dab of fabric-safe adhesive or a hidden stitch with a matching sewing thread.
When threading the ribbon through the center of your yarn bundle, use a blunt-tipped tapestry needle to avoid splitting the ribbon fibers. Pull it through slowly to prevent the velvet pile from catching on the yarn.
If you want the ribbon to stay perfectly centered, sew it directly to the yarn core before you fold the tassel. This prevents the ribbon from sliding out of place over time.
Caring for Velvet Embellishments on Knitwear
Velvet is a magnet for dust and lint, especially when attached to wool. Keep a soft-bristled garment brush nearby to gently sweep the pile in the direction of the grain.
If the velvet gets crushed during storage, a quick blast of steam from your iron—held a few inches away—will help the fibers stand back up. Never press the iron directly onto the velvet, as this will permanently flatten the pile.
When washing your knitwear, it is always best to remove the tassel if possible. If it is permanently attached, hand wash the item with extreme care, focusing on the wool and keeping the velvet as dry as possible.
Embellishing your knitting with velvet ribbon is a rewarding way to add a professional, custom touch to your hard work. By balancing the fiber content of the ribbon with the intended use of your garment, you can ensure your tassels remain beautiful for years. Remember to prioritize both the aesthetic drape and the long-term durability of your materials. Happy knitting, and enjoy the process of adding those final, elegant details to your projects.
