Can you get enough of tassels and pom poms? Because we cannot. So when we asked Resident Design Genius Ashley H. “How would you decorate an Easter basket?” and she came back with this DIY chunky yarn keychain with enormous tassels and giant pom pom inspired by an idea from fellow Hallmark creative genius Margaret S. Heck yes, this is an amazing Easter basket idea! These would also make excellent key rings and backpack clips and and and and. Here’s how to make your own:
DIY chunky yarn keychain
Giant Pom Pom Supplies
Chunky yarn
Embroidery floss in a contrasting color
Large gold jump rings (9mm or 10mm)
Small gold keyring (1″-ish swivel snap hook/lobster claw clasp)
2 toilet paper rolls
Scissors
Needle nose pliers
1. Hold the toilet paper rolls together by putting your fingers in them. Then grab the yarn and embroidery floss in the other hand, and wrap them around the toilet paper rolls. (We went around about 30 times.)
2. Cut a long piece of yarn. Wrap it around the middle of the two rolls and tie it loosely.
3. Carefully slide the toilet paper rolls out and tighten the knot.
4. Hang on to the knot and cut the loops.
5. Trim the ends to make the pom pom round and fluffy. (Keep hanging on to that knot.)
6. Give the knot another tug to tighten it up, then slide the jump ring over one end.
7. Double-knot the yarn around the jump ring, and trim the ends to blend in with the rest of the pom pom.
8. Use the pliers to attach the jump ring to the keyring.
DIY Big Tassel
Now let’s get on those tassels.
Big Tassel Supplies
Chunky yarn
Embroidery floss in two contrasting colors
Large gold jump rings (9mm or 10mm)
Small gold keyring (1″-ish swivel snap hook/lobster claw clasp) (or you can just attach them to the same one as the pom pom)
Scissors
Needle nose pliers
1. Cut the chunky yarn for the tassel. I used 10-12 pieces, about 10′”-12″ inches long.
2. Fold the bunch of yarn in half, and decide how long you want the loop at the top to be. Tie the embroidery floss around the yarn where you want the loop to start.
3. Wrap the yarn with embroidery floss, keeping it as tight and even as possible.
4. Fold the yarn in half at the loop, and grab the next color of embroidery floss.
5. Option one: Tie a knot around the full loop with the different color embroidery thread. Make the neck of the tassel as long as you want to, then tie it off and trim the ends. Option two: this handy video. Follow the steps in to make the neck of the tassel. (They both work.)
6. Trim off the bottom of the tassel.
7. Open the jump ring and thread it through a few strands of floss at the top of the tassel.
7. Attach the tassel to the keychain.
8. Repeat with more tassels and pom poms until you’ve achieved the fabulousness you deserve. (If the giant pom poms are getting in the way of the big tassels or vice versa, you can add an extra jump ring or two to give them some breathing room.)
Your chunky yarn keychain is finished. Behold.
Snap that keychain on your Easter basket. You can use another jump ring to make it easier to take on and off.
Fill that adorable basket with Easter goodness. We’ve got cards and gifts and the cutest book by our friend Keion and OH LOOK THERE’S THAT DIY CHUNKY YARN KEYCHAIN YOU JUST MADE. (One easy way to pick colors is to match them to the stuff in your basket.) Still feeling crafty (and generous)? Make a super-cute felt gift card holder.
Stuff too big for your basket? Find our DIY chick and bunny gift wrap ideas.
We would love for you to show us what you make if you try our DIY chunky yarn keychain! Share your pictures on Instagram or Facebook.
Photography and styling: Erin M.