Modern Crochet Jewelry

This tutorial will show you how to make crochet jewelry. This is a quick project, and you can have a finished piece within a couple of hours (depending on how fast you crochet). This makes it the perfect project for a last minute gift, to make some jewelry to match an outfit or even just in between other projects for something fun and quick.

I've made bracelets but the process can easily be used to make a necklace or anklet too.

The project doesn't use a lot of yarn so it is a great project to use up scraps of yarn from other projects. If you want to use multiple yarns within one bracelet just make sure to use yarns that are all the same weight/thickness. So grab any yarn you like!

The tutorial does require some basic crochet knowledge, but I would say its perfect for beginners! The techniques you need to know are:

• how to start in the round,
• single crochet stitch,
• how to finish off,
• how to do basic sewing,
• and how to weave in ends.

• Yarn of your choice* (I used 8/4 cotton)
• Appropriate hook for your yarn** (I used a 2.5 mm hook)
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

* This project can be made with any yarn though different yarns will give different looks. A thin yarn will obviously make a thinner bracelet than a thicker yarn. So choose a yarn that matches what you want as the end result.

** I recommend using the smallest hook the yarn recommends (or even a size smaller) to make a tight fabric that holds its shape.

Use your favorite method to start 8 single crochets in a round.

This could be any number but I have found 8 works best. Unlike with less stitches you still have enough room to maneuver your hook easily. More stitches tend not to hold their round shape as well and might require stuffing or a rope core.

TIP: I recommend using a magic circle that you don't tighten completely. This will allow you to easily resize the beginning of the bracelet to match the end and make a seam that is nearly invisible. (You can obviously tighten the circle using the tail but you can also widen it back up by inserting a pair of scissors and opening them to stretch it to the desired width.)

Continue crocheting in the round until you reach your desired length. For me that was about 20cm but it will be different for everyone.

It is not necessary to mark you rounds, but make sure to check periodically that you still have 8 stitches.

Important to note though is that this jewelry is made without a clasp, therefore it has to be wide enough to slide into place over other body parts. For a bracelet this is the widest part of your hand (around where the thumb attaches to your palm), for a necklace it has to at least be able to go over your head, and for an anklet around your heel.

The end result does have a bit of stretch so you can make it quite tight around that widest part.

Once you have reached the desired length finish off and leave yourself enough of a tail to sew together the ends. Thread your needle and bring together the two ends. When you do this try not to twist the tube, this makes it harder to sew together.

It's really that simple! You're done and are the proud new owner of a modern crochet bracelet.

To change up the style of the end result slightly you can make the bracelet (or necklace, or anklet) wrap around multiple times. To do this you have to make the tube twice as long to go around twice, three times as long to go around three times, etc.

It's also fun to use different colors. Just make sure the different yarns are all the same weight/thickness. To make this one I gathered a palette of colors that I liked together and then switched colors as I felt like it. I tried not to make it too regular and planned to make the process as well as the end result more fun.

You can also add a knot to the design to add some texture/weight. To do this I recommend placing as soon as the tube is long enough and then continue crocheting. This makes it easier to measure length you need correctly, as the final length will be longer than it is without the knot. Leave the knot in as you sew the ends together as it cant be placed afterwards.

I then moved my knot over to cover the join and hide it.

Enjoy your new jewelery! and don't be afraid to mix it up and mix and match different designs.