DIY Twisted Fiber and Bead Necklace: Step-by-Step Tutorial from an Experienced Crafter

Materials and Tools

• Various yarns (we used Amerah #275 [Oh Girl], Melody #516 [Vixen], Shimmer #405 [Copper], Phoenix 100% Silk Soy #506 [I-Candy], and Fur Real [Circus Pony], all from Southwest Trading Company)
• Glass bead with a large hole
• Small hook that fits through the bead hole
• Variety of beads, bells, shells, charms, etc. (for decorations)
• Scissors
• Pencil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut 8 pieces of yarn into 4-yard lengths.
2. Gather all the yarns together, aligning equal lengths at both ends.
3. Locate the center point and fold the yarns in half, forming a doubled loop.
4. Twist the yarns together: Insert a pencil into the loop at the folded end and secure the loose ends.
5. Rotate the pencil clockwise between your fingers until the strands are tightly twisted.
6. Hold the center loop and let both ends coil around each other, creating a thicker cord. Remove the pencil.
7. Split the loose ends in half, pass them through the loop end, and tie the two halves tightly together. The necklace base is now complete.
8. To add the focal bead, slip the hook through its hole and pull all loose ends through.
9. Cut 20 or more 10-inch pieces of various fibers for the tassel.
10. For the tasseled end, bundle the strands and fold at the center. Use 2 loose strands from the main bundle to tie tightly around the center several times. Repeat with 2 more strands, passing through the bead.
11. Choose a middle strand on the tassel for focal embellishments. String beads, charms, shells, and decorations along various strands, securing with knots below.