Making beaded necklaces

July 7, 2024
8 Minutes

Making beaded necklaces

Make

THE INSPIRATION

I have always loved the styling of a good necklace stack. As a kid, it was the carefree ‘I wear my friendship necklaces (or bracelets) at ALL TIMES and never take them off until they break and fall off on their own accord.” Nowadays it’s more something that looks effortless like ‘oh these, I just threw them on’ that also hold meaning unto the wearer like a hundred little spells and talismans. Lately I have been obsessed with Oyulemuchura’s Instagram stylings and her epic and perfect necklace stack. While I can never figure out which necklaces I would actually buy, I’m always more inclined to do what I can make for myself. Seeing Oyule’s beaded Luzi Kate Jewelry necklace was all I needed to know that I was going to *likely* figure out how to make my own.

I have also seen KISIWA’s gorgeous 6-bead necklaces floating around on Pinterest. So, of course I started with a 6 beads instead of 4 (this refers to the width of the beaded ‘rope’ you are creating. 4 beads is a little quicker to make, it’s 2 beads less!).

THE MATERIALS

Beadsmith (or Beadalon – brand doesn’t matter) Fireline in .015mm
a variety of Czech Glass Beads in size 11/0 or if you fancy, Miyuki Delica Beads in 11/0 . The Miyuki beads cost more but you get a consistent sized bead. I like the organizc and somewhat irregular look of seed beads and they’re cheaper, so I was able to buy more colors to play with.
Beading needle
Wire Guards, Jump Rings, & a Clasp
Or if you don’t want to buy those findings, you can get hoop earrings 😝
Optional, but worth it: a piece of plain flannel or felt to do your beading on so beads and such don’t constantly roll away from you

As someone who has a lot of half-baked jewelry dreams, I had all of these things except the Fireline and wire guards. But, if you go shopping during a sale, which there always seems to be one at a big box craft store, you can get all of this for about $30, depending on how many color beads you pick out.

THE STITCH

The stitch to make these is called Herringbone Stitch or Tubular Herringbone Stitch. I taught myself with this youtube video from Laura McCabe – I think she has a calm voice which will help you the first few times you try to start your ladder and think ‘wtf?! these beads are too small, I can’t see what I’m doing!?!’

If you want to make a 4 bead necklace, a la Luzi Kate, you want to start a 2 bead ladder. If you want to make a 6 bead necklace like KISIWA, then start a 3 bead ladder. Watch the video first and then reference the linked PDF in the video description to get a closer look at what you’re doing.

SOME TIPS

Once you get started, remember to always ‘end a row’ where you started or see the tail. This prevents twisting and weirdness. If you knit, it’s the same concept as finishing a round when knitting in the round.
How to add more string: I watched another video by Laura McCabe
How to add the findings or finish your necklace: I watched this video to see how to add the findings, but it’s fair to just follow your intuition!

Okay – that’s all! If you read all this and are trying to make a necklace, please leave me your questions, wtf moments learning beading, etc. in the comments and I’ll try to help!