Ribbons and Crackers

You may have seen our huge range of cracker making craft kits and be wondering what ribbons to add to your hand made crackers.  If so, we have created this page to give you some guidance on ribbon options and the amount that you will need.

Many of our cracker making kits come with ribbons already included.  If you choose one of our complete kits with ribbons, it will save you having to make the choice and you know they will be perfect.  We have now also introduced eco friendly complete kits too, so you can also be kind to our environment.

In honesty, you can use any type of ribbon on crackers.  The only two things that you do need to watch out for are how stiff the ribbons are and how wide they are.  If the ribbon is either too stiff or too wide, then it won’t tie into the neck of your cracker and it’s all going to go wrong!  Aside from that, it’s as straightforward as you’d expect it to be – we hope!

Bows or Knots?

Now, this is a hot potato, whether to tie a bow on your crackers or stick with a simple knot.  This is just down to taste and your own style.  A simple knot can look very effective, especially on a heavier design.  If you have a cracker with a lighter design, or a plain cracker, then a bow can really lift it.

All that said, we find that most people consider that a bow is an essential part of a cracker and it does add a luxurious feel.  With this in mind, when going through the various ribbon options suitable for crackers below, we have also include the length and width that you will need for a bow on each size of cracker.  If are just knotting, you will need the same width of ribbon, just less of it!

Satin Ribbons for Crackers

Satin ribbons are always the most popular for cracker making, as the sheen gives a luxurious feel and ribbons are so soft, which is perfect.

Our satin ribbons are mainly double sided, so that they have a lovely sheen on both sides.  We do offer an economy range too, which are satin on one side and matt on the reverse.  If your budget will stretch to it, then you would always be best with double sided satin ribbon.

• Large crackers – we would suggest about 60 to 70cm of a 23mm wide satin ribbon to make a bow on each end of the cracker.
• Standard crackers – these would need about 50 to 60cm of a 15mm wide satin ribbon for each bow.
• Small crackers – again a 15mm wide satin ribbon and about 30 to 40cm for each bow.

Grosgrain Ribbons for Crackers

Although satin ribbons are always the most popular, we actually prefer grosgrain ribbons.  If you’re not familiar with grosgrain, this is more matt, has a light ribbed effect and is stiffer than satin ribbon.

Our humble opinion, having made hundreds of thousands of crackers, is that you get a more structured ribbon with grosgrain and it can look more professional and stay that way longer.  This applies whether you are tying a ribbon knot or a bow.

• Large crackers – we would suggest about 60 to 70cm of a 22mm wide grosgrain ribbon to make a bow on each end of the cracker.
• Standard crackers – these would need about 50 to 60cm of a 16mm wide grosgrain ribbon for each bow.
• Small crackers – again a 15mm wide grosgrain ribbon and about 30 to 40cm for each bow.

Organza Ribbons for Crackers

If you’re looking for a light, whimsical feel to your crackers, perhaps on a watercolour design, a pastel colour or for a wedding, then we would always recommend an organza ribbon. 

Not wanting to teach our grandmother to suck eggs, if you’ve never used organza ribbon, this is far lighter and has less weave than satin or organza ribbons.  It is almost transparent and does give a really airy feel to cracker bows.

• Large crackers – you will need 40mm wide organza ribbon, with about 70 to 80cm for each bow
• Standard crackers – to make each bow you will need around 50 to 60cm of a 22mm wide organza ribbon
• Small crackers – for each bow you will need around 40 to 50cm of a 22mm wide organza ribbon

Eco and Bio Ribbons for Crackers

We should all have one eye on our environment so, with this in mind, we have now introduced a collection of both eco and biodegradable ribbons for cracker making.

If using these, you would use the same size and length as the grosgrain ribbons above.  These are all on 20 yard rolls (ye olde time measurements!), which is approximately 18m.

We also offer a range of some of our most popular designs in a cracker making kit with eco ribbons, with ribbon colours that coordinate best with the cracker designs.

Tulle Roll to Tie Crackers

As part of our range of cracker making kits with ribbons included, we offer tulletastic crackers, which replace ribbons with big net bows.  This is a great alternative to ribbon bows, especially if you are looking for more impact!

Our soft tulle comes as a 10m roll.  We use this on our large crackers and only on one end normally, otherwise this could be too much!  Can there ever be too much ribbon on a cracker?  That’s a rhetorical question!

If you wish to choose your own tulle for a different design than the ones that we have curated, or perhaps you just don’t like our colour choices (charming!), then you could choose the large crackers and tulle roll separately and create your own look.

From one roll of tulle, you will be able to cut twelve 83cm strips.  For each bow we use two 83cm strips, laid on top of each other.  This will make six crackers and you can tie the other end with a skinny piece of ribbon to match. 

Pipecleaners for Tying Crackers        

An old faithful for tying cracker necks are pipecleaners.  They are particularly good if you are making crackers and don’t want the fuss of tying bows, if you’re making them with children (always stick the snap in for them and supervise closely) or if you’re looking for a different vibe.

Pipecleaners come in 30cm lengths, you can use a whole pipecleaner on each end and then twist up the surplus for a coiled look.  Alternatively, if you want to hide the pipecleaner, we would use half a pipecleaner and tie it on the back, carefully snipping off the surplus – watch your eyes.

We use pipecleaners for our reindeer antlers on our standy uppy Rudolphs too, whatever next! 

Raffia for Tying Crackers

Raffia is completely environmentally friendly and can give you a current, natural craft vibe.  It’s available in lots of different colours today and really does have it’s place in cracker making crafts.

Our raffias are natural and not synthetic.

Bakers Twine for Cracker Tying

Bakers twine remains popular in natural style crafting and, by default, has remained popular for tying up crackers.  The red and white option is always in demand, as it had a candy cane feel too it for Christmas, but the silver and gold versions look great too.