Island Blues Choker

This elegant piece of jewelry from Katie Hacker uses a collection of beads for a modern and classic look. The choker is very simple and great for a fancy night out.

Materials:

Lengths of 20# test Beadalon hemp cord: one 1 1/2-yard, one 20"
Three 12mm turquoise/red/blue furnace glass beads
Four 10mm round blue glass beads
Eight blue glass pony beads
Six 6mm round silver spacer beads
Two spring cord ends silver large lobster clasp
Silver extension chain
Beadstorm™ Chain Nose Pliers
Designer Scissors
Clipboard or large safety pin

Steps:

Hold the hemp pieces together in the center place them inside a coiled cord end. Use chain nose pliers to flatten one or two rings on the cord end to hold it in place. Use a large safety pin to attach the loop to a pillow or clip the loop to a clipboard to use for a work surface. Arrange the strands so the long strands are on the outside and the short strands are on the inside.
Use the outside strands to tie half knots for 2 3/4” around the inside strands. A half knot is the same knot you make when tying shoes (see diagram).
String a light blue round bead onto the inside strands and use the outside strands to tie a square knot. To make a square knot: first, tie a half knot. Next, tie another half knot in the opposite direction (see diagram). String the following beads onto the inside strands, using the outside strands to tie a square knot between each bead: metal bead, crow bead, furnace glass bead, crow bead, metal bead.
Repeat Step 3 until all of the beads are strung, then tie half knots for 2 3/4." Trim the cord ends to 1/4" and attach a coiled cord end. Attach a clasp to one end of the necklace and an extension chain to the other end.

Tip: When choosing beads for macrame, be sure to select beads that have large enough holes for the cords to pass through.