# What do you think of decorative fringe?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [January 12, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962 "2013-01-12T14:04:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/1 "2013-01-12T14:04:09Z")
Yeah, I know, a weird question, but believe it or not, I really am interested.
Background: I knit and crochet scarves and afghans and shawls that are distributed to various organizations for people in need. I almost never put fringe on anything, partly because it’s a pain to cut a gazillion lengths of yarn, but mostly because I don’t like it on things that I use. If you want your afghan to drape casually over the arm of a sofa, the fringe may look all fancy-pants, but if you’re trying to cover yourself with it, it becomes an annoyance.
Since many patterns call for fringe, perhaps there are those who like it, perhaps even prefer it. So I ask you, if I gave you a hand-made afghan, would you prefer it with or without a fringe-y trim?
This is not an offer to make you an afghan, with or without fringe.
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### Author:  [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/2 "2013-01-12T14:11:08Z")
No fringe. I too knit things and I too hate fringe. The only exception was a garment I made for my SIL called a Ruana which had color changes every couple of rows so fringe was made as you went. Also the fringe was 14" long so more of a design element. And it wasn’t an afghan.
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### Author:  [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/3 "2013-01-12T15:06:03Z")
I’m not fond of gratuitous fringe. If it’s a design element and/or doesn’t get in the way of use I like it, but I don’t think everything requires it.
The exception, for me, is scarves. I like fringe on scarves, so long as it isn’t excessive.
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/4 "2013-01-12T15:44:10Z")
A surrey just isn’t the same without it.
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### Author:  [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/5 "2013-01-12T19:26:13Z")
Some things I like fringe on and some I don’t. Hand knit / crochet things tend to be some that I really do (the afghans and scarves that I’ve made definitely have this). I like some leather / suede items with fring as part of the design. Almost anything else, no. 🙂
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### Author:  [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/6 "2013-01-12T19:31:10Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#):
>
> This is not an offer to make you an afghan, with or without fringe.
But I want one ☹
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### Author:  [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/7 "2013-01-12T20:44:54Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#):
>
> But I want one ☹
As my mother would say: “And people in hell want ice water…” 😛
I tell you what, if you’re really old and you happen to be in a nursing home or veteran’s home in Maryland, you stand a chance of getting one that I’ve made. Otherwise, you’d have to sneak in my house and steal one, and I have to warn you - we have an attack pug! :eek:
\*\*kayT \*\*- I’d never heard of a Ruana, but I’m going to have to make one now. The shawls I make go to nursing home residents, and the ruana looks much more practical than a triangle shawl. Would you by chance have a link to some patterns that you’ve used or liked? Thanks for mentioning it!!
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### Author:  [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/8 "2013-01-12T21:06:50Z")
Definitely no fringe on an afghan. I have a few scarves with fringe, but the vase majority have none. Fringe is kind of annoying, especially if it’s prone to tangling.
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### Author:  [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/9 "2013-01-12T22:20:28Z")
My take on fringe is that it’s the primary limitation on the life of the work. Meaning, that each time you wash it the stitching will get a bit tighter and look even nicer, but the fringe will tangle and fray and generally look like crap by the third washing. You never see an old afghan with fringe.
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### Author:  [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/10 "2013-01-12T22:22:55Z")
Long ago there was a thread by some guy whose sofa cover (or something similar) was fringed. He believed that one or more of his children was braiding the fringe. None of the kids would admit it, so he cancelled their family skiing vacation to punish them.
Fringe just leads to grief.
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### Author:  [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/11 "2013-01-12T22:43:30Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#):
>
> \*\*kayT \*\*- I’d never heard of a Ruana, but I’m going to have to make one now. The shawls I make go to nursing home residents, and the ruana looks much more practical than a triangle shawl. Would you by chance have a link to some patterns that you’ve used or liked? Thanks for mentioning it!!
I used Cheryl Oberle’s pattern in her book _Folk Shawls_. If you are on Ravelry you can see it [here](http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-ruana). Mine is in there as well (I’m kayT there too) or [here’s](http://www.flickr.com/photos/11280147@N02/4068665942/in/set-72157625395637557) a picture or [two](http://www.flickr.com/photos/11280147@N02/4067912475/in/set-72157625395637557/). It was a lot of fun. It uses all the different yarns you want to use; I spend several months collecting reds before knitting. It’s really easy for the most part. You can pm me here or on Ravelry if you want more info.
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### Author:  [@St.Barthgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Barthgirl)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/12 "2013-01-12T23:18:17Z")
I’m ALL about the fringe. if i see a lovely blanket and it Has Voluptuous, long, Luxurious fringe, i can’'t help but buy it. I Never buy a hand knit or cashmere or merino Ruana or throw without fringe. And on the rare occasions that i knit these things, i buy tons of extra yarn for MEGA fringe, and love it. My friends do, too. Provided the Blanket is in good taste. i Favor Simple Earthy Toned blankets with the widest yarns i can find.
I seem to be in the minority, tho.
Anything handmade is wonderful; it’s lovely that you volunteer and donate.
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### Author:  [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/13 "2013-01-12T23:28:56Z")
> [@ioioio](#):
>
> Long ago there was a thread by some guy whose sofa cover (or something similar) was fringed. He believed that one or more of his children was braiding the fringe. None of the kids would admit it, so he cancelled their family skiing vacation to punish them.
>
> Fringe just leads to grief.
Gah. I remember that! The guy was just beside himself with an OCD-like desire to control every last little thing in his purview. Bizarre.
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### Author:  [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/14 "2013-01-12T23:39:49Z")
I very rarely put fringe on any of my crochet or knit items.
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/15 "2013-01-12T23:49:00Z")
On a blanket that’s to be used on a bed, I’d prefer not (or at least, not on the edge nearest my head). On a blanket to be thrown over a chair, or snuggled up in on a cold night with a cup of cocoa, sure.
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### Author:  [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2013, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/16 "2013-01-12T23:51:05Z")
This thread is making me feel better. Apart from my hatred of making fringe, I did consider the practical aspect - elderly folks and their caregivers don’t need to be dealing with tangles, and heaven help them if they have kittens!!! :eek:
\*\*kayT \*\*- Your ruana is really pretty. I’m definitely going to add them to my list of things to make. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of them before now! I need to get out from under my rock more often! 😃
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### Author:  [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/17 "2013-01-13T00:56:23Z")
It’s driving me crazy. Who was the fringe braiding guy? Didn’t it turn out that fringe just tangles? I remember that.
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### Author:  [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2013, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/18 "2013-01-13T01:01:23Z")
I don’t care for it. It always gets tangled up, and looks cheap and ratty.
If there were some way to make sure it never got tangled…maybe. The naked aesthetic of fringe is kind of nifty. Western buckskin fringe, for instance, or various styles of “wampum” fringe. I adore a bead curtain…
But, dangit, they always end up tangled, and that just kills it for me.
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### Author:  [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2013, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/19 "2013-01-13T01:06:54Z")
The only things that should have fringes are flags, so you can tell if you’re in an admiralty court or not.
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### Author:  [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2013, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962/20 "2013-01-13T01:07:50Z")
I love fringe! There can never be too much fringe.
The odd thing is that in most things, I go for whatever’s the simplest. My knitted things better not have the slightest bit of glittter. Not even a little shine. But they’d better have fringe.
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