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Glossy Rat Tail Cord on Cone for Handmade Projects 100mt
Glossy tubular cord in 100% polyester, weighing 150 grams, with a length of 100 metres and a width of 2mm. Recommended crochet hook 3.5-4.5 for jewellery making, handmade accessories and crochet projects.
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QUICK SPECS: Composition: 100% Polyester | Weight: 150g | Length: 100m | Width: 2mm | Recommended crochet hook: 3.5-4.5 | Format: Cone | Finish: Silky glossy
Glossy Rat Tail Cord on Cone 100mt: Versatile Yarn for Crochet and Jewellery Making
The glossy rat tail cord on cone by Tessiland is an affordable and versatile solution for anyone who loves creating handmade accessories, jewellery and crochet projects. This tubular polyester cord stands out for its silky, shiny finish, perfect for making bracelets, necklaces, pouches and decorative details.
Buying rat tail cord in a 100 metre, 150 gram cone means saying goodbye to the high cost of buying by the metre and opening the door to more ambitious projects: not only small jewellery accessories, but also larger crochet creations, macramé, weaving and even scrapbooking. With a width of 2mm and a recommended crochet hook size between 3.5 and 4.5, this glossy yarn offers exceptional glide and professional-looking results. The wide colour chart with 40 shades allows endless colour combinations, making every creation unique and personalised.
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Technical analysis: what are you buying?
The glossy rat tail cord on cone combines great value with creative versatility. Let’s look in detail at its technical features, possible uses and practical tips to make the most of this material with endless creative potential.
1. What Is Rat Tail Cord and What Are Its Features
Rat tail cord is a tubular cord made with a technique similar to ribbon yarn, but with distinctive characteristics that make it unique. It has a hollow cylindrical structure covered with a braided weave of polyester filaments that give it intense shine and a silky feel.
Unlike waxed cord, which is stiffer and more matte, or ribbon yarn, which is flat and wide, rat tail cord offers:
- Exceptional glide: ideal for work that requires repeated passes through rings or holes, such as jewellery with beads
- Shiny finish: the glossy look enhances colours and adds elegance to finished projects
- Controlled flexibility: it keeps its tubular shape without flattening, ensuring visual uniformity
- Balanced lightness: at 150g per 100 metres, it offers an excellent weight-to-length ratio for medium to large projects
The 2mm width makes this cord perfect for techniques that need a substantial yarn without being overly bulky, and it is compatible with crochet hooks from 3.5 to 4.5.
2. Creative Uses: From Jewellery Making to Crochet Projects
The 100 metre cone transforms rat tail cord from a simple jewellery material into a multi-purpose yarn suitable for projects of every size. Here are its main uses:
Jewellery and accessories:
- Braided, knotted or beaded bracelets
- Statement necklaces with decorative knots or pendants
- Earrings made with wrapping techniques and metal findings
- Personalised keyrings and charms
Crochet and needle projects:
- Pouches and bags with a glossy, structured surface
- Storage baskets with defined geometric shapes
- Decorative appliqués on knitted garments for texture contrast
- Amigurumi projects with a shiny finish (perfect for Christmas decorations or favours)
Complementary techniques:
- Macramé: decorative knots for plant hangers, wall hangings and curtains
- Weaving: as weft or warp for glossy inserts on a loom
- Scrapbooking: embellishing albums, frames and greeting cards with three-dimensional details
- Embroidery on knitwear: contrasting decorative stitches on handmade knits
3. Benefits of the Cone Format: Value and Creative Freedom
Buying rat tail cord in a 100 metre cone represents a different creative and economic approach compared with the traditional by-the-metre purchase.
Better value:
- The price per metre of rat tail cord sold in small quantities is often too high for projects requiring substantial lengths
- The cone allows you to plan ambitious creations without budget limits: a crochet pouch can easily require 30-50 metres of cord
- Ideal for anyone making handmade accessories to sell, helping reduce production costs
Creative freedom:
- The possibility to create matching sets (necklace, bracelet, earrings) with the certainty of having enough length from the same colour and dye lot
- Experimenting without worry: trying new techniques or crochet stitches becomes more accessible even if mistakes happen
- Extra supply available for repairs or later additions to completed projects
Dye lot management: Tessiland clearly indicates the lot number on the product page, allowing you to check availability and, if it is sold out, contact customer service for alternative solutions or custom orders.
4. Colour Chart and Colour Pairings
With 40 available shades, glossy rat tail cord offers colour possibilities rarely found in other handmade materials. The glossy finish enhances every shade, creating light-catching effects.
Classic and metallic tones:
- Silver, gold, bronze, copper: perfect for elegant jewellery and festive decorations
- White, black, ivory, cream: neutral bases for every project, easy to match
- Grey, aluminium, silver: for sophisticated contrasts and an industrial style
Natural and pastel palette:
- Beige, powder, pink, lilac, wisteria: delicate shades for wedding favours, bridal accessories and shabby chic projects
- Sky blue, light blue, bright blue, aqua: fresh maritime-inspired tones and relaxing shades
Bright and fluorescent tones:
- Red, cherry, burgundy, furia: energy and passion for statement accessories
- Yellow, lemon, orange: cheerfulness and visibility for summer creations
- Fluo pink, fluo green: a modern touch for youthful, urban projects
- Blue, turquoise, emerald, forest, dark green: depth and natural appeal
Pairing tips: Combining metallic tones (gold/silver) with pastel shades creates understated elegance; pairing fluo tones with neutrals gives controlled visual impact; playing with shades from the same colour family (for example lilac-wisteria-violet) creates sophisticated harmony.
5. Technical Tips for Working with Rat Tail Cord
The tubular, glossy nature of rat tail cord calls for a few precautions to achieve the best and longest-lasting results.
Crochet hook choice and tension:
- With a 3.5mm crochet hook: a more compact fabric, ideal for structured pouches or baskets that need to hold their shape
- With a 4.5mm crochet hook: a more open texture, perfect for airy summer bags or lightweight decorations
- Maintain consistent tension: the glossy surface shows tension irregularities more clearly than matte yarns
Knotting and finishing techniques:
- For jewellery making: favour flat knots or sliding knots that make the most of the material’s smooth glide
- Secure the ends with a drop of clear glue to prevent the tubular cord from fraying
- For bead closures, choose holes wide enough (minimum 3mm) for multiple passes without forcing
Combinations with other materials:
- Pair with matte cotton for texture-and-shine contrasts in crochet projects
- Add glass or crystal beads to reflect the cord’s sheen
- Use nickel-free metal elements for professional jewellery fastenings
Managing the length: Since this is a 100m cone, it is advisable to wind 10-15 metre portions onto smaller secondary spools to make working easier and prevent tangling, especially in projects that require repeated yarn movement.
How to preserve your creations over time
Polyester rat tail cord is a durable material that needs minimal care to maintain its shine and shape over time.
- Gentle hand washing: use cold water and mild soap, avoiding vigorous rubbing that could dull the surface
- Natural drying: lay projects flat away from direct heat sources and strong sunlight, which could alter the bright colours
- Neat storage: loosely wind the remaining cone and store it in a dry place, away from moisture that could encourage mould inside the tubular structure
- Protection from abrasion: for wearable accessories such as bracelets or necklaces, avoid prolonged contact with rough surfaces that may damage the outer braid
- Dust removal: gently wipe finished surfaces with a soft dry cloth to remove deposits without wetting the material
- Ironing not recommended: tubular polyester does not need ironing; if persistent creases appear, lightly steam from a distance without direct contact
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For more tutorials, to replace a yarn or calculate the amount needed for your next creation,
✨ Open Tessiland StudioFrequently asked questions
How many metres of rat tail cord are needed to make a crochet pouch?
For a medium-sized pouch (around 20x15cm) worked in crochet using compact double crochet stitches, you will need approximately 40-50 metres of rat tail cord. If you choose a more open stitch pattern (such as fan stitch or mesh stitch), the amount needed drops to 30-35 metres. The 100 metre cone therefore allows you to make two complete pouches or one larger bag with matching handles.
Is rat tail cord suitable for beginners too?
Yes, rat tail cord is very suitable for beginners thanks to its exceptional smoothness, which makes it easier to insert the crochet hook and form stitches. Its glossy surface also makes mistakes clearly visible, allowing quick corrections. It is best to start with simple projects such as knotted bracelets or small crochet circles to get familiar with the material.
Can I machine wash projects made with rat tail cord?
Machine washing is not recommended if you want to preserve the shine and tubular structure of the cord. Always prefer gentle hand washing with cold water and mild soap, followed by natural drying away from heat sources. For accessories such as bags or pouches, spot cleaning with a damp cloth is often enough.
What is the difference between 1mm and 2mm rat tail cord?
The 1mm rat tail cord is thinner and more flexible, ideal for delicate jewellery making, layered multi-strand bracelets and macramé work with small knots. The 2mm version offers more body and visibility, making it perfect for structured crochet projects, bags, baskets and accessories that need to hold their shape. For crochet hook sizes 3.5-4.5, the 2mm diameter gives a well-defined texture.
How can I stop rat tail cord from twisting while I work?
To prevent twisting, rewind 10-15 metre sections onto smaller spools or improvised yarn balls. While crocheting, regularly let the yarn “release” by allowing it to rotate naturally. In jewellery making, work with pre-cut lengths instead of using the cone directly. The material’s smoothness still makes manual untangling quite easy.
Can I combine different rat tail cord colours in the same project?
Absolutely yes! Colour combinations are one of this material’s greatest strengths. You can create alternating stripes in crochet projects, multicolour braids in macramé or coordinated sets in jewellery by pairing complementary shades. The wide range of 40 colours allows harmonious gradients or striking contrasts depending on the look you want.
Is the 100 metre cone enough to make a crochet rug?
For a small rug (around 50x70cm), you will need approximately 150-200 metres of cord, so one single cone is not enough. However, you can use rat tail cord for smaller decorative rugs (30x40cm, around 80-90 metres needed) or as a decorative element in rugs mainly made with other yarns, adding contrasting glossy stripes.
How do I attach metal clasps to rat tail cord for jewellery making?
For professional finishes, use crimp end caps specifically designed for tubular cords (inner diameter 2-3mm). Insert the end of the rat tail cord into the cap, add a drop of fabric glue and crimp it with flat-nose pliers. Alternatively, create end loops by knotting the end and tucking the knot back inside the tubular cord, then attach lobster clasps or T-bar fastenings.
What is the advantage of a glossy finish compared with matte cords?
The glossy finish gives projects a more elegant and professional look, enhancing colours with light-catching reflections. In jewellery making, the shine adds a more precious appearance; in crochet work, it creates interesting texture contrasts when paired with matte yarns. The silky surface also ensures superior glide while working and a pleasant feel in finished pieces.
Is it possible to dye polyester rat tail cord?
Polyester requires disperse dyes and high temperatures (around 130°C) to fix new colours effectively, a complex process that is difficult to manage at home without specific equipment. For this reason, DIY dyeing is not recommended. Considering the wide range of 40 colours already available, it is better to choose the desired shade directly from the Tessiland collection.
How should I store the rat tail cord cone when I am not using it?
Store the cone in a dry place away from direct sunlight, which could fade the bright colours. Keep any loose ends neatly secured to prevent tangling. If you have already used part of the length, fasten the end with a soft elastic band or clip to stop it from unravelling accidentally. Avoid excessively damp places that could encourage mould inside the tubular structure.
Can I use rat tail cord for decorative stitching on fabric?
Yes, rat tail cord can be used for decorative hand stitching on sturdy fabrics such as canvas, denim or felt, creating glossy borders or three-dimensional embroidery. Use a large-eye yarn needle (minimum 2.5mm) and make pilot holes with an awl on very compact fabrics. Avoid machine stitching, as it may damage both the cord and the needle. It is ideal for customising bags, backpacks or casual clothing details.
