Cozy Winter Days Necklace

by Ali on 11/21/13

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Project details:

This multi-strand necklace finished with braided suede lace is the perfect complement to a winter day and a warm cup of cocoa (with vanilla marshmallows, of course). I'm not sure what I did before waxed linen came to Lima Beads. If you cut a bit more than you might need and start your stringing from the center out using the waxed linen, you can troubleshoot as you go. This especially came in handy when I needed to figure out how to finish off my strands in the moment. What can I say, I'm not much of a planner but a backtracker.

↓ Step-by-step

↓ Buy the supplies

Supplies you’ll need:

1/2 strand of nuggets
1/2 strand of rough nuggets
1/2 strand of round 6mm
15" of braided sued lace
2 18" lengths of 4-ply waxed linen
3 44" lengths of 4-ply waxed linen
TierraCast slotted d-ring clasp set 17x20mm
adhesive

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1

Take 1" at the end of your braided suede and unbraide. Slide the 3 lacing ends through the slide.

Step 2

Fold the unbraided ends over so that they are on the back of the bracelet. Take one 18" length of Irish waxed linen and tie an overhand knot over/around the suede where it is folded over to hold in place.

Step 3

Continue wrapping the ends of the Irish waxed linen around and around in opposing directions until you are happy with both the look and the hold. Tie securely with a couple overhand knots.

Step 4

Before trimming off the tails of unbraided suede remaining, stick the tip of the hypo cement in-between the fold and squeeze in some adhesive. Now trim.

Step 5

Before repeating steps 1-4 at the opposite end, mark 11" down on the back using a pen. This will take the guesswork out of measuring :-)

Step 6

Layout your beads how you would ideally like them to appear in your necklace design.

Step 7

Begin stringing. Take one of your 44" lengths of Irish waxed linen and tie an overhand knot just off center. Within your layout, find your center bead from the outer strand and string it on up to the knot.

Step 8

Continue stringing on beads, tying an over knot every once in a while. Repeat step 7 and this step until 2 strands are complete.
The lengths off your strands should be:
10.5" outer strand
7.5" middle strand
5.5" inside short strand

Step 9

To attach the inside short strand to the middle strand, measure down 1.5" from the last bead of the middle strand. Tie the short strand into the middle strand using overhand knots. Do this between every bead until you reach the end.

Step 10

To finish off your strands together, braid the Irish waxed linen for 2" at each end of the strands.

Step 11

Slide a large hole faceted 8mm round onto each end over the braid, pulling the bead up to the ends of the strung portion of the strands.

Step 12

Wrap and tie your braided ends to the d-ring or toggle bar.

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