Week 11: Ribbon Ruffle Necklace

I had so much fun making Nikki's necklace in Week 9, that I decided to make another birthday necklace this week. This necklace will be made for my absolutely lovely step-mom, Susan. 

I've been feeling inspired by necklaces like this one by Stella and Dot.

I like how the ribbon wraps around the beads rather than going through them. 

Also I thought this might be easier on the ribbon, and my sanity, what with not having to tug all the ribbon through those tiny holes. 

It means needing more ribbon, and fishing line... but I planned ahead and had those on hand.  Horray for planning ahead!

I had LOTS OF BEADS due to "Hundreds Day" at school a few weeks ago.  There were rumors that we would all have to come to school dressed with 100 of something on our clothing.  The kindergarten teachers all get really silly and attach 100 ping-pong balls to their t-shirts, or 100 Turkish flags... But I work in the upper grades too, where all the teachers dress like fashion models.  So I had planned on making myself this jewelry.  Fortunately for my stress level that week, the rumors were false, and I got to go to bed at a normal time that night.  Lucky Susan.  

I started by sorting out all the beads.  

I decided to use the little ones to make a bracelet. So I put those aside, along with a few of the clear ones. 

Then I laid them all out in three rows, making sure each row had a different amount of beads, and that each row length was different by at least an inch or so.  

 I measured a piece of fishing line a about five inches longer than the first row of beads.  Then I strung it through a needle, and pulled it through the center of the ribbon about three inches from the end.

 I pulled the fishing line, until the end of it was even with the end if the ribbon, then wrapped them both around each other to make a knot right where the fishing line went through the ribbon.

I strung the first of my beads onto the fishing line, using the needle. At this point the ribbon is just laying to the side.

Then I wrapped the ribbon around the needle, keeping the bead as close to the knot as possible, and strung the fishing line through the ribbon right at the top of the needle.

Then I folded the ribbon back, making an 's' and poked the needle through two more times.

 Drop your next bead onto the needle, and push all the way down, smooshing your ribbon 's' between the two beads.

 
Because the needle goes through the ribbon 3 times total, now the ribbon will be facing the opposite direction, and will wrap around the next bead on the opposite side. If you want your ribbon to be on the same side of all the beads, string your needle through the ribbon an even amount of times between each bead.

Continue wrapping the ribbon, and adding beads until the final bead of the row.  Tie a knot at the end, keeping it close to the final bead. Leave about 3 inches of ribbon and fishing line after the knots at each end of the row.

Make all three rows the same way.

Test how the rows hang together.  Tie a knot at each end, holding all three rows together.

Use another length of ribbon to go around your neck.  Test it out in front of a mirror before tying. Leave enough room to slide it over your head! Tie a knot at each end.

Cut extra ribbon and fishing line leaving about a quarter of an inch.

I tied little bows around the ends to hide them!

For the bracelet, I wanted three separate rows of different beads.  I wrapped a piece of ribbon around my wrist, and laid that length our on the table.  I placed one large pink bead on the ribbon, and then laid enough small brown beads on it to cover the length of the ribbon.

I did the same with the other two types of beads.

I used elastic for this so it could stretch over my wrist easily.

 I started with a brown bead,wrapping the elastic through twice, leaving a two inch tail.  This keeps the beads from slipping off, without needing a knot. Then I strung the rest of the brown beads.

When I was finished with the brown beads, I slipped the large pink bead on.

 

Next I strung all the clear beads.  After the last clear bead I strung it back through the large pink bead.  

And again, after all the small pink beads, I strung the elastic through the large pink bead. Then I tied the end to the very beginning of the beading project (at the other end of the brown beads).  I tied three tight knots (for good measure), and cut the ends close to the knot.

 

Sorry about not having any pictures of the bracelet process.  

Happy Birthday Susan!  Thank you for inspiring my love of crochet, and for being such a loving and supportive second mother for all of these years.  Love you!!!