Durable DIY tassel umbrella using synthetic outdoor yarn

Today’s little DIY is definitely not groundbreaking and new. There have been many DIY tassel umbrellas before but what is different about mine is the yarn I used. I wanted to make sure that I tested the yarn outside for several weeks before sharing this post with you. This tassel umbrella has been outside in cold weather since the end of February and still looks amazing. So far the tassels haven’t weathered at all.

DIY tassel umbrella

Since I have a lot of blue accents outside in our yard, including our stock tank pool, I wanted to add some more blue to the umbrella. This color combo all flows really nicely with the inside of our home as well. Don’t you think so?

How to make the outdoor tassels for the umbrella

These tassels are also pretty much the exact same version as the tassels I made on my knot bracelet two weeks ago and finished with the gathering-knot method. The only difference is the yarn used.

1. Make sure you have good synthetic yarn. Synthetic yarn lasts longer outside since it doesn’t disintegrate like natural cotton or wool.
2. Wrap a piece of cardboard with packaging tape. Cut a piece of cardboard the size you want the tassels to be and wrap that piece with packaging tape. My cardboard piece is a 3.5-inch square. This makes it easier to slide the wrapped yarn off when you are ready to finish the tassel.
3. Cut a small piece of yarn and place the small piece of yarn at the top of the cardboard. It will form the top part of the tassel.
   
   
   
4. Wrap yarn around the cardboard. The tassel fullness is determined by how many times you wrap the yarn around the cardboard. I wrapped mine about 30 times.
   
   
   
5. Slide the yarn off.
   
   
   
6. Tie the top string very tightly.
   
   
   
7. Cutting the tassel end loops with scissors.
   
   
   
8. Tie off the tassel head.
   
   
   
9. Trim the tassel ends evenly.
   
   
   
10. Add a wood bead.
    
    
    
11. Either sew the tassel to the patio umbrella or use a safety pin. I tried both and I think I prefer the safety pin version since it is so much faster. Yes, the safety pins could rust but haven’t on mine yet.
    
    

TIP: If you don’t want any of the ends to fray, you can use a lighter to slightly burn and melt the yarn ends.

Photos of the finished tassel umbrella and patio space

I never shared with you that I pulled the trigger on the chairs for our patio before the sheltering-in-place actually started and I’m glad I did. Love them!

Finally, pressure washing the paver patio and adding fresh sand gave everything a clean new look outside too. There was so much dirt and moss on it that had to be removed. I will also treat the patio with Spray & Forget to avoid it getting as bad again in the future.

Eventually, I want to add more tassels to the umbrella when that same blue color is back in stock.

I used the same durable synthetic yarn for this macrame piece and had it outside just as long as the tassels. It stayed nice and looking new as well.

And I used the same synthetic yarn color on my small side table. Just check out my metal patio table makeover tutorial.

Also, check out my blog post about how to mix and match patio furniture to get some outdoor decorating ideas.

Update: I recently had to replace this cover because it was old and damaged. Check out my blog post about how to measure a patio umbrella replacement canopy and what my new umbrella cover with fringe looks like.

Update: I recently had to replace the canopy because it was stained and had holes. Check out my blog post about how to measure a patio umbrella replacement canopy. I love the new one I bought and it is a completely different look.

So now I’m praying that we will get many sunny days and that the weather will finally get warmer so we can open the stock tank pool and use our outdoor living space.

We enjoy being out here so very much.

I hope you are staying sane and healthy.