Necklace Tutorial (and a prize!)

I have had a few requests to explain how I make the beaded crochet necklaces, and I have to admit I was reluctant! Because the work-to-impressiveness ratio is MINISCULE, and I don't want to reveal all my secrets ;) But it's time. Just promise me you'll still ooo and ahhh when I post one!

The technique is actually super simple and straightforward. The secret is in the materials! I should note here that I am in no way an expert beader/jewelry maker. This is pretty much the only thing I know how to do! It's that easy. So, materials needed:

1) Metallic thread - I like On the Surface New Metallics - you can buy it in a small 5 yard bobbin, which makes about three 3-strand necklaces, but I get the 100 yd spools here.

2) Teeny crochet hook - I use a 2.75 mm but any very small size works.

3) Glue - I don't love the one in the picture, I prefer the one below with the pinpoint precision tip. It makes it much easier to get it into tiny spaces.

4) Clasp -  2 clamshell doohickeys (the technical term), a hook, and a figure-8 thingy. The hook and eye are unimportant, you can use any sort of clasp, but the clamshells are vital!

5) Beading needle - big eye in the middle

6) Beads (not pictured) - you can use pretty much anything within a size range. I don't like to go smaller than a 6/0 seed bead (the larger ones), and if you go too big the necklace will be weighted funny, but you can go pretty big. It's imprecise, but they are extremely cheap and quick to make, so you can play around! I generally use about 75 per necklace, for a standard 16-18" length.

I like to use a mix of stand-out beads, filler beads, Swarovski crystals, and sometimes charms!

7) Crimping pliers - I got the Mighty Crimper at Michael's after the Gestapo at the Dublin Airport threw mine away. Sigh. 

The glue I prefer - just bought a new tube!

Close-up of the clasp bits

Step 1: Thread the beads (approx. 24) onto the metallic thread in the order you want them. DO NOT CUT THE THREAD!

Step 2: Make a slipknot in the thread and put the crochet hook through. Begin chain stitch - video here, but it's SO easy to do!! You just pull the thread through the loop to make a new loop. Chain 12-15 to get started, then bring up your first bead. Snug it up right next to the hook and chain another stitch, securing the bead in place. (Like most knitting/crochet things, this might sound confusing, but will become abundantly clear when you DO it).

Step 3: Chain 4-6 stitches, then bring up another bead (I usually do larger spaces between larger beads, smaller between smaller). Continue in this way until the last bead, then chain 12-15 (however many you started with). Before cutting the thread, try the chain around your neck and see how it looks/feels. If it is your second or third chain, compare it to the other one(s) and make sure they are similar in length. When the length is satisfactory, cut the thread leaving a 3 inch tail, and thread the end through the last stitch to secure.

Step 4: Make 3 chains in the same manner. I like to do one bead difference on each, eg 24, 25, 26, so they are slightly different lengths, but if you are doing different sized beads, use your judgment. They should be close in length but not exact, so they will lie together nicely. Try holding them up to your neck all together and making sure they look right.

Step 5: The clamshell doohickey - Thread the three ends through the hole in one of the clamshells. I just use the beading needle and do them all at once, but you don't have to. It can help to trim the ends so they're all neat and the same length. Pull the ends through so the clamshell is snug against the ends of your chains. Holding the three together, tie a knot as close to the clamshell as possible. I use the crochet hook to tie around and get the knot really low. Knot it again over the same one. This takes a little practice but is pretty easy to get the hang of! Pull very tight, and cut your ends close to the knot.

Step 6: Put a bit of glue into the clamshell (this is where the precision tip comes in handy!) and use the crimper to close it up tight. I usually give it a good firm squeeze and hold it a few seconds to help set the glue. Tip: It helps if you close the clamshell a bit before doing the glue - sometimes they are wide open and you make a gluey mess trying to get it closed! If any glue oozes out or gets on your tool, not to worry! It comes right off when it's dry. Repeat with the other end of the chains.

(Forgive the extremely bad photo! It's hard to photograph yourself squeezing pliers.)

Step 7: Put your claspy bits on the hooks at the end of the clamshell and use the crimper to bend the hook closed. Make sure it's secure!

Voila! You're done! Start to finish it takes me about 30 minutes to make one of these bad boys. If you'd like, you can block it when you're done by hanging it over a doorknob (dry! No need to get it wet) for a few hours or overnight.

Notes:

~ 16-18" is a nice length for someone with an average sized neck. The necklaces look best as a loose choker, IMO. Too long and they don't lie right because of how lightweight the thread is.

~If you want to add a charm in the center, put the charm in the middle of the first chain, and then thread it in the middle of the second and third chains as well, with the previous chains attached so all three are crocheted onto the center charm - make sure your lengths work on both ends!

~If you're using some larger or more dramatic beads, make sure to space them out on the three chains so they appear staggered - you don't want them stacked on top of each other in the finished piece! Unless you do.

~It is MUCH easier to take beads off than to add them on, so if you're unsure of the length, add a few extra onto the thread at the beginning. It's very easy to try on as you go! 

~See some of the ones I've made here in my Flickr album

~Feel free to play with more or less strands! I just like 3 cause it's the magic number. 

And to celebrate the fact that I finally did this tutorial, I am doing a GIVEAWAY!! Win a necklace in your choice of colors!

 Leave a comment in this post and I will choose a winner at random next Saturday, August 1st! 

Hope you enjoyed the explanation, and feel free to ask me any questions you might have!! 

Comments

[Heather]

Beautiful! Now I really have no excuse... I need to learn how to crochet!
Heather

[Mary Cochran (Dragonsinger)]

Such beautiful work!

[Tammy Nottingham]

Thank you so much for posting this! I'm looking forward to stretching my next-to-nonexistant crochet skills and making one of these bad boys!
Tangledskein/Tammy

[Hermione Bagnold]

I will always "ooh" and "ahh"! LOL Crafters know how to fully appreciate the work of other crafters. :)

[martina]

I think I am going to have to go to Michael's soon and get some new beads! I love how it looks and I'm glad you passed on how to make one!

[wormlynn]

I love teh colors, remindes me a cool night breeze!

[angie daggett]

That was cool. nice job on Tut. i might actually learn how to crochet now. Thanks for sharing!
angie

[Tea Mama~ Jen]

wow! it looks great!!!

I'll need to hire you to come here to nanny my 3 wee ones so I can have time to make one! LOL!!!

[Rachel]

Thanks, Devon! You make it seem so simple. :)

[Therese]

Cool! This is exactly the level of crochet that I can handle! ;-) Thanks for the great tutorial.

~working4yarn

[Kate W.]

This is fabulous!! I'm gonna have to hit the craft store, cause this may be the solution to what to do with all these beads I have lying around! Thanks! (Katestamps on Ravelry)

[Tiffany]

Very cool! Thanks so much for posting this. I have some left over supplies from making stitch markers and this would be the perfect solution!

[Adina]

Awesome! I was wondering how you did those. :)

[Max]

Thank you for the instructions! I knit and crochet, but my wife doesn't. She loves this kind of jewelry, though, and has asked me if I could make her some out of beads she chooses. I'm new to beading, but these instructions look quite easy -- especially when compared to k2tog and such!

[Nikki Painter]

I crochet but haven't tried jewelry yet. Think I'm gonna give this a try soon. Thanks for sharing!

[Kim Thirion]

Love this!

[Syan Murray]

Very nice I love it... I crochet jewelry and find it difficult to figure out which glue to use to end off, I do a loop on one side of the necklace and a bead on the other, and I need the ends glued to keep them from fraying and coming undone, I have used so many and can't seem to find the perfect one to last. Crazy glue is too hard to finish off with, rubber type glues can peel off easy, e600 seems to dry whiteish and come apart hypo cement seems ok but the tube dries up so quickly.. any ideas so that the glue is comfortable to where not hard on the ends.. thanks

[Kelliann Henricks]

I cant wait to try this I have been making jewlry since the dos told me I need to work on my manual dexxterity or I would never be on the computer again

[Melody Stewart]

I am so excited..there is a header re near by and I have wanted to do something cool.. Well, this is it!! Have been a faithful follower and have learned so much...often when depressed, I have been lifted up with your emails.. Thanks!

[Melody Stewart]

Should have spell checked. I wrote bead store...not header...and I am truly going to make necklaces..thanks

[Sue Williams]

A lovely idea and soooo easy! Thanks for sharing and warm greetings from South Africa. Sue

[Maria]

Your necklace look so trend, i loved the color,great for use for summer time.But look better in my jewery collection.Thank you for your share your tutorial.

[Gloria]

Just found this tut and it is just wonderful. Thanks for taking time to put it together and share it with us.

[Lynn Ferrier]

Great job. I have made these necklaces before but this tutorial gave me a lot of ideas. Thanks for posting.

[Vonda]

I can't wait to try this. I've been wanting to branch out into crocheted jewelry. This is a perfect way to start. Thanks.