Crocheting a Beaded Necklace

Midnight Blues Necklace by PillarOfMe

Since I have been showing my work, many crocheters have said that they can't believe I work so small. But it's really easy, and possibly less work! Or at least it is if you're making something small. ;) It takes less effort for your hand to complete a stitch, so once you get used to it you'll find your smaller pieces will go really quickly. If you're wearing the right glasses, it's just like crocheting larger only what comes out are beautiful pieces to make into jewelry.

Here is a simple pattern/idea that is a great way to get started in, (I'm going to coin a phrase here), minicrochet.

*Disclaimer: If you don't already know how to crochet, I do recommend starting larger. But all this requires is the chain stitch, so once you master that, come on back!

For the strands of this necklace, I used 5 or 6mm glass seed beads, a large eyed beading needle, number 10 crochet thread from Red Heart and a 1.65mm hook. Don't be intimidated when you see how small it looks. Try and think of it as cute instead! ;)

Step 1: Unfurl your thread and load up some beads! Make sure the thread is STILL CONNECTED to the skein, DON'T CUT. This is why you need to make sure you have enough beads loaded on before you start crocheting because once you start, you will have to cut the thread to add more beads. I used about 106 beads in my necklace strand and that made a necklace long enough to reach my bust. It's always safer to add extra.

Step 2: Ditch the beading needle, grab your crochet hook! Make a slip knot around the hook. Before you yarn over, (or in this case thread over ;)), push one of your beads up to the base of the knot. Now yarn over with the thread after the bead and pull through. In this pattern I then made two more chain stitches before adding a new bead and repeated. You can make a strand with any variation of separating chain stitches, (or none!), for a different textured effect.

Step 3: Once you've crocheted beads until your fingers are worn to nubbins, stop! Tie off! This beauty is done!

Make a bunch of them and tie them together for a thick and luscious bohemian beaded necklace! I used seven strands in my Midnight Blues necklace!

Click here to see this item in my Etsy Shop!

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It's so hard for us young people, just starting out. We were told that our opinions were valuable. We were led to believe we would graduate school into a world where our education would be respected. Where our ideas and hard labor would help shape a better tomorrow. Where we would live in comfort as long as we were contributing our share. Yet in the world we emerged into we find a complete lack of opportunity. A world where gaining favor of the people in power matters more than brains or ability. Where by keen maneuvering we may stand some hope at job security, in a job we can tolerate, that affords us just enough to keep going. Those of us who were told to follow our dreams, to enable the dreams of tomorrow come to life, find a brick wall. What recruits are taken are treated roughly and paid poorly. Those of previous generations who have managed to keep their jobs hoard them carefully out of the fear of loosing well deserved pensions. So much potential is wasted in McDonalds or in the unemployment line.

But then there's always a glimmer of hope. I see some of us begin to light a fire. To make a way in the world. Through technology, ingenuity, friendship and kindness some of us are producing what we love despite nonacceptance into the commercial mainstream. We are finding our own channels to swim and are flourishing. There is always a way to achieve your goals, when no way is apparent we cut ourselves a new path. Imagination is the brilliance of humankind. Those who embrace this, embrace our difference from the apes.

Viva las Handmakers!