Supplies:
- Round wood beads or balls (I used 1" and 3/4" round wood balls found at Hobby Lobby). Please note, you do not need two different sizes. I used various sizes, but it is not necessary.
- 1/4 yard of 44-45" fabric (bold prints work best for this project since you are knotting the fabric, and it will be difficult to see smaller prints after knotting)
- Sewing machine
- Coordinating thread
- Scissors
- A few minutes of time
- Cut the 1/4 yard of fabric in half length-wise, or the hotdog way, or long-ways... You should end up with two strips of fabric measuring approximately 4" x 45" (depending on the width of the fabric you bought). Essentially:
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| This should be about the size of your fabric before cutting. You want to cut right down the middle lengthwise. |
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| After cutting, you should now have two strips 4" by 44"- 45" |
- Okay, take your two strips of fabric and place one short end from each piece right sides together and sew. Reinforce your stitch at each end. You should now have one very, very long piece of fabric.
- Now, fold fabric in half hot dog style with the right sides together and sew only the long raw edge. Don't sew the short ends because we want to turn it right side out... creating a long fabric "tube".
- Turn on the TV, make yourself some coffee or a grab a Diet Coke, and turn that tube right side out. This takes a few minutes, but it is fairly easy with the tube being so wide.
- Now, the fun part! Find the center of your tube. Doesn't have to be exact! This will probably be where your seam that you joined the two long strips of fabric together is. And, tie a knot. I tried to tie mine right into the seam, so that you don't see the seam... didn't happen, but you can't really tell anyway! Easy, huh?!
- Now, drop one of your wooden beads or wooden balls in. I chose 1" for the center. Tie another knot really, really... I mean really close to the ball on the other side. So, now your ball or bead should be securely encased between two knots! This should be about the center of your tube.
- Keep going. I put a bead/ball on one side of the centered ball, and tied a knot. Then, I put a new bead/ball on the other side and tied a knot. I repeated this so that I could keep the necklace balanced.
- Do as many beads as you like, but leave at least 12" on each side to tie behind your neck. I ended up using five 1" inch beads and put two 3/4" beads on each side. You can use more or less, or the same size beads, etc... make it your own!
- Once you have all of your beads/balls secured inside knots (make sure you tie a knot on each side at the very end of your beads too), then you need to put the necklace on! We're not finished yet, however. Find where you want the necklace to fall (long or short). Then, tie a bow. If you don't want long "tails" or bow ends, cut off some of the excess. Please remember to leave enough of a "tail" on each side in order to be able to tie a bow when you are finished!
- Okay, now fold in the short raw edges, and put a stitch in it. I only had to fold mine in about 1/8". Just depends on how you want to do it. Do that on each side.
- And, you're finished! Yay! Now, put it on! Or give it to a friend! Or make more because they are so easy and fun and the possiblities are endless!
Note: These necklaces can also be used as "teething necklaces" as a safe alternative for baby to chew on instead of fashion jewelry or metal necklaces. Please, please, please DO NOT give to baby unsupervised. And, always reinforce your stitches and make sure the knots are secured. Inspect before letting baby chew on or play with your necklace. The beads ARE a choking hazard if not safely secured inside the necklace. Also be aware that if you intend to use this necklace to wear as a teether, only use natural wood. Do not used finished wood beads or balls. You can handwash your necklace easily, and air dry.
I love this necklace! It looks so easy to make. Thanks for posting! :)
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