A Crocheted Necklace

And back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Finally those patterns as promised. Unfortunately, I can't give you the ring pattern today. I didn't right down what I was doing, but I was thinking during class yesterday and may have come up with an idea. With some tweaking, it may be perfect. But please stay! I promise the patterns I do have will be varied, interesting, and full of potential!  This first one gets a post to itself, since I managed to make an absolute mountain out of a molehill.  It's much easier than it looks, I promise.

I'm not a big necklace wearer, but I got the idea and had to go with it.  I think the crocheted beads could be used with felted or wooden beads for a nice look...  Maybe the combination of 70% felted, 20% wooden, and 10% crocheted?  I'd like to get some wool for felting...  Anyways, the pattern!

Crocheted Necklace





Materials:  Small amounts of Bernat Softee Chunky (natural), Lily Sugar'n Cream (soft teal) and Lion Brand Cotton Ease (charcoal).  A handful of medium plastic beads (like the really cheap ones you can fine by the hundreds in any craft store).  A large needle (like a tapestry needle or a yarn needle).  A crochet hook of (probably..) 3.0 mm.  I've tried to fit each round in a sentence, so if you don't want to read a paragraph, separate at each period to make it easier to follow.  My necklace uses the small ball pattern, but two other sizes have been provided.

Small Ball:  Ch 2.  Make 3 sc in the first chain (3).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and make 2 sc in each of the next three spaces (6).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and make 2 sc in each of the next six spaces (12).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and sc in each of the next twelve spaces (12).   Repeat the last round (12).  Repeat the last round again (12).  Slst in first dec, ch1, and dec all around (6).  Slst in first decrease, ch1, and dec all around (3).  Tie off.

Medium Ball:  Ch 2.  Make 3 sc in the first chain (3).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and make 2 sc in each of the next three spaces (6).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and make 2 sc in each of the next six spaces (12).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and make 2 sc in each of the next twelve spaces (24).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and sc in each of the next twelve spaces (24).   Repeat the last round five more times(24).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and dec all around (12).  Slst in first dec, ch1, and dec all around (6).  Slst in first decrease, ch1, and dec all around (3).  Tie off.

Large Ball:  Ch 2.  Make 3 sc in the first chain (3).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and make 2 sc in each of the next three spaces (6).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and make 2 sc in each of the next six spaces (12).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and make 2 sc in each of the next twelve spaces (24).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and the alternate 1sc and 2sc in each of the next stitches (36).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and sc in each of the next thirty-six spaces (36).   Repeat the last round eight more times (36).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and then alternate between 1sc and 1dec in each of the next stitches (24).  Slst in first sc, ch1, and dec all around (12).  Slst in first dec, ch1, and dec all around (6).  Slst in first dec, ch1, and dec all around (3).  Tie off.

Using a yarn or tapestry needle and a length of Cotton Ease, thread a crocheted bead (go through the center of the first round and the center of the last round) and make a knot.  Continue alternating the plastic and crocheted beads, knotting after every bead.  If the necklace is large enough to fit over your head, just tie a small knot and trim your ends.  If the necklace is too small, add a clasp.

Ideas:  Try different combinations, sizes, and materials.  Use a long ribbon to string the beads and, instead of adding a clasp, tie the ends of the ribbon in a bow.  It's a more freeing and artistic take on the classic pearl and ribbon necklace.  Using different hooks and different ball patterns, put a large ball in the center and progressively smaller balls on either side.  Make an extra long necklace and wrap it unevenly twice around your neck.  The yarn I used is very bulky and, if you aren't careful, your beads could end up lopsided.  Try using smaller yarn, a smaller hook, and follow the pattern for a large ball.  Because I didn't use consistent sizes, types, or even brands of yarn, I have a noticeable size discrepancy between my beads.  If you use the same brand and only change the colors, yours will be much more consistent.

What do you think?

-Cristy