So, running around on a virtual shopping spree I came across this:
It’s a Holst + Lee necklace and apart from being sold out, it cost over $500, so I wasn’t too keen on spending that. However, I really liked the idea and I thought it would make for an awesome DIY.
This one hardly uses a colour twice, but I thought I make it easier for myself and just use three, it also makes it easier to match it with clothing. I also left out the metal beads, but that could easily be added at the end.
So I ventured out to my local craft store and got myself:
- a few meters of synthetic rope, not too thick (like 3-4 mm) (length depends on the necklace length you want to have)
- 3 or 4 different coloured rolls of jewellery cord (I chose yellow, dark blue and hot pink) 20m per roll is plenty.
- a metal clasp with a wide opening that can fit 3 or 4 of the threaded ropes
That’s about it!
So I measured my 3 strands in different lengths and cut them. I then started threading my 3 colours around in any way and length I liked. The more irregular the better it looks.
I attached all 3 colour threads on the top and used only one colour at a time to wind. The other two hang down along with the rope until they are needed. That way colour changes are quick and easy.
Some tips:
1. Keep things uncluttered and stop once in while to tidy up your ends. Twisting the thread around the rope also twists it at the other end, so it can get messy quickly.
2. Make neat colour changes. Having the different threads overlap or peeking through looks a bit unsightly. Tight and quick changes look good.
3. Thread/wind very tightly. Loose threading makes the threads move up and down the rope later and makes gaps that show the rope underneath. It’s a major hassle to tighten it up later, so keep it very tight as you wind.
Then, once you’re at the end, melt the ends together with a fire lighter so they essentially glue together and don’t come apart. Then you can thread the 3 strands together so they become one and glue the ends into the clasp ends.
And hussaaaa, you’re done! I’m sorry I don’t have any progress images, I always forget about that…
Happy threading!