Bullion or twisted fringe is just one or more strands of yarn that have been twisted so much that they twist back on themselves. You can make your own, twisting by hand or using an old-fashioned, hand-cranked egg-beater. You can buy a special hand-cranked twisting tool that has hooks to hold the strands of yarn. . .
OR
You can take my workshop at Taos this coming fall and learn how to use your spinning wheel as a twisting tool. You need yarn (plain or fancy), decorative sewing threads, beaded strands, or almost anything flexible that will pass through your wheel’s orifice. See the Wool Festival workshop descriptions for a complete supply list.
Once you have a bobbin full of overtwisted yarns, I’ll show you how to use the hardback book and a tapestry needle or crochet hook to make fringe. You can make it fancier with knitting or crochet. The trim pictured above is made from a dark wool yarn and a copper-metallic decorative sewing thread. I crocheted a simple edging on top of the basic fringe.
A tassel skirt is just bullion fringe, wound around itself, with a top added. We’ll use more of the fringe we make in class, and turn it into a tassel with a knitted or crocheted top. This one has a crocheted top, and is accented with coppery beads.