Twinkle Links Necklace

Description

This is the perfect project for showing off medium-size accent beads that are too fancy to have thread strands covering them (as is the case with most beaded crochet). Seed beads add twinkle to the crochet links.

This “opera length” (15.5-inch/40-centimeter drop when worn) necklace is a continuous strand with no clasp. Another feature is that the whole strand is metal-free.

Skill Level: Easy-Intermediate

After following this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

• How to use puff stitches as “beads” for fancy jewelry strands
• A way to crochet a continuous strand of large link-like shapes
• How to add beads to crochet without the yarn or thread strands showing on the outside of the beads

Finished Dimensions

Necklace is 31 inches/79cm long and has a 15.5-inch/40-centimeter drop when worn.

Materials

Size #20 cotton crochet thread, 1 ball. For the necklace pictured, Opera Crochet Thread was used.

Substituting crochet thread: Opera thread has recently been discontinued. Most size #20 mercerized cotton crochet thread will work. Jewelry gets its share of wear and tear, so the higher the thread quality the better.

Size 1.00 mm steel crochet hook, or best size for crocheting this project tightly but comfortably. Some hook brands label this size #11 or #12; Clover’s is #6.

A steel crochet hook that is fine enough to fit through the holes of the accent beads and pull a thread strand through; I used a size .75 mm hook. (Labeled #13 or #14, depending on the brand. Clover’s is #8.)

48 small seed beads size 10/0 (or more, if a longer necklace is desired.)

48 medium-sized (6 mm) accent beads (or more if you prefer a longer necklace); pink glass 6mm cube beads are from a 12-inch/29.5cm strand by Bead Gallery (SKU 7-3342157007-3, Halcraft USA, Inc., Mt. Vernon NY, 10550); I purchased mine from a Michaels craft store (the cobalt beads are from a bead shop). Substituting beads: hole of bead must be large enough for you to use a fine steel crochet hook to pull through a chained length of the crochet thread you are using.

Optional: bead stringing needle