A few weeks ago I met my good friend Cindy for lunch and a day of shopping at a favorite mall. Upon her arrival I immediately noticed a gorgeous beaded necklace that she was wearing. Upon closer inspection I realized that it wasn't beaded -- that's when she told me about "Trellis Necklaces."
Have you ever heard of a Trellis Necklace? It's a crocheted necklace made of trellis ribbon yarn {sometimes called trellis fiber, ladder yard or ribbon yarn}. Trellis ribbon yarns are small, bright panels of color suspended between two rows of thin fiber...
From several feet away the ribbons look like small beads. When woven into a necklace this ribbon yarn makes a beautiful creation and one that is feather light! I love the new fad of bobbly-beaded necklaces, but they can be so heavy around the neck that they become uncomfortable. A Trellis Necklace is so light that, if not for the compliments you'll receive, you will forget you're wearing it! The necklace also sports a bead that when drawn up or down will lengthen or shorten the necklace -- fabulous!
While Cindy and I shopped two young (20-30ish years old) clerks in different stores stopped Cindy to asked where she bought her necklace. When Cindy explained that she had made it and how easy it was to make, they were stunned. I don't know if these would appeal to all younger women, but I think women 40ish and older would love them. I made some for my sister (50ish) and mother (80ish) a few weeks ago and they both enjoy wearing them too -- as do I!
With Mother's Day fast approaching I thought I would post a quick tutorial on how to make these amazingly easy-to-make and inexpensive fiber necklaces. The cost per necklace is approximately $1 -- no kidding. This necklace only requires a crocheted chain stitch that even the novice crocheter can accomplish. Go here for a You Tube Chain Stitch refresher course!
- Trellis Ribbon Yarn {sometimes called: trellis fiber, ladder yarn or ribbon yarn}: I wasn't able to find local stores that carried trellis yarn, so I found a source online by Googling "trellis yarn." There are many Etsy stores that sell trellis yarn. I bought mine for $4.95 plus shipping, but there are a number of sources that are better priced on Etsy. You should be able to make at least 6 necklaces with one ball of trellis ribbon!
- Crochet Hooks: size K (101/2-6.50MM) and an one with an itsy-bitsy hook 12/100MM.
- Beads: I bought at Hobby Lobby (Michael's also carries this particular bead) in a package or 12. The hole in the bead needs to be big enough to draw all the fibers through, but small enough to hold it's place on the necklace.
- Ruler & scissors
Directions:
1.) Cut 5 strips of yarn 2 1/2 YARDS long.
2.) Measure 9 inches from one end and make a slip knot to begin your chain stitch. Chain until you come to within 9 inches of the other end; pull the remainder of the ribbon through the last chain to finish first strand of necklace. Lay this strand aside and repeat this same process with the remaining 4 strips of yarn.
3.) When all 5 strands are completed, bring them all together and line up the place on one end where you began to chain the stitch on each strand. Tie the ribbons together in a knot where you began to chain.
4.) Do the same thing at the other end of your strands of yarn by tying a knot at the end of the chain stitches there too.
5.) Take your bead and with your itsy-bitsy crochet hook snag the ends of the yarn lengths {on both sides of the necklace} and bring them through the hole in the bead. Make sure the ends of the yarn are even through the bead (some strands might be a little longer than others) and make a knot at the end of the fibers by making a loop and pulling the ends through the loop -- pull tight and trim the ends even. The bead should slide up and down the length of the yarns to create a longer or shorter necklace.
6.) Enjoy your beautiful fiber necklace!
This necklace is adaptable to your circumstance and size. Cut the fibers longer if you'd like a longer necklace -- and put more strands together if you'd like it more full!
That's as simple as it gets! These necklaces can be made within a half hour -- start to finish. So fun and easy and beautiful to wear. Please remember the "Print" button at the bottom of this post if you'd like to print, with ease, this tutorial!
Because my creative juices are fueled by your wonderful comments, please leave one if you appreciate this tutorial. Thank you!
