If you enjoy upcycling with a slightly artsy, slightly rebellious twist, this crochet necklace is a fun way to turn everyday odds and ends into wearable art.
I love projects like this because they remind me that almost anything can become jewelry if you stare at it long enough. Vintage button? Necklace. Old metal buckle? Necklace. Random bead stash you stumbled upon while looking for something else in your craft room? Definitely necklace. Let’s see what happens when we put it all together!
Before we get to the tutorial, it’s time for another Creative Craft blog hop co-hosted every other month by yours truly and Donna from Modern on Monticello! If you are visiting from Donna’s blog, welcome! Wasn’t her flower arrangement beautiful? Thanks for hopping over!
At the very bottom of this post, we’ll be directing you to the next stop on this venture. But don’t forget to check out the other stops too because you’ll find plenty more ideas. Be sure to drop back in throughout the week to visit them all!
Materials for Crochet Necklace
[If you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered (disclosure): The blue links in this post may be affiliate links. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases which we proudly donate to Alzheimer’s research. But don’t worry, you don’t pay a cent more! Thanks for helping to support our fundraiser!]
- Crochet hook (I’m using a steel vintage hook – around 2 mm).
- 14 mm jump rings
- Silver jump rings in various sizes (I used a 6mm ring with the larger 14 mm rings)
- 2″ rectangular buckle
- Black cotton crochet thread
- 20-22 gauge wire (depending on the size of your beads)
- Glass Murano Beads (I thrifted mine)
- Chain nose jewelry pliers (2 pair)
- Wire cutter
- Flush wire cutter
- Ergonomic round nose pliers
- Concave looping pliers (optional)
- Seed beads
- Big hole round acrylic beads
- Big hole round black beads
- Vintage single-slot button
Crochet Necklace Tutorial
The first thing to do is string a generous amount of beads onto thin cotton yarn.
Make sure you have enough beads to cover the entire metal buckle, like the one shown below.
Attach the yarn and secure it with a single crochet stitch.
Slide a bead into place, then single crochet to anchor it in place.
To do this, pull up a loop through the buckle.
Yarn over…
… and pull through both loops.
Continue, repeating the process.
Work your way around the buckle one bead at a time.
As you near the end, shift the beads so the finishing point ends up at the top middle of the buckle. Crochet a loop using chain stitches (shown 12 photos below), then fasten off.
Button Focal
Now for the vintage single-slot button. Notice how the long opening tunnels right through the back. We’re actually going to use the back of the button as the front!
That slot is perfect for adding even more detail with seed beads!
For this step, you’ll need wire and round nose pliers. I like using the ergonomic pliers on the left for forming loops, although the concave pliers can also help start them.
Cut five pieces of wire to approximately 3 1/8″ long.
Form a loop at one end of the wire. If you’re struggling to make perfect loops, check out this helpful video from my friend Carol at the Stylish Maker. Along with sharing jewelry-making techniques on her YouTube channel, Carol also hosts the Style Makers Network; a welcoming community where creators can gather inspiration, learn new skills, and refine their jewelry-making techniques.
Notice that there’s also a piece of wire doubled over below the seed beads and the button. That wire needs to be long enough to fold around the button with extra to spare; it will eventually go through the long hole in the button.
Thread the seed beads onto the single wires.
Add another bead to the end and bend the wire at a 90 degree angle, leaving a small gap.
Create another loop at the end. Then wrap the wire neatly to fill the space; cut any excess wire with a flush cutter. Some of the wires shown include three additional seed beads before the final the loop and wrap. Make three longer pieces and two shorter ones for variety.
Open up a 14 mm jump ring and add the wires, alternating between the short and long pieces, with the longer ones positioned on the outside.
Attaching the Vintage Button
Now, attach a 6mm and 14 mm jump ring together. Take the doubled-over wire and slip the smaller jump ring onto it before threading it through the button (fold at the top). Feed it through the button hole.
Add the jump ring with the seed beads and bend it toward the back of the button as shown.
DIY statement necklace piece
Turn the button over. Using the round nose pliers, loop once side of the wire.
Continue curling the wire into a spiral it until it is about half way down the button. Repeat on the opposite side to hold the button securely in place.
Final Jump Rings
Attach the final 14 mm jump rings through both the loop at the top of the buckle and the bottom of the buckle.
Crochet necklace
Thread a leather cord through the jump ring at the top.
The finished piece is a one-of-a-kind crochet necklace that is eco-friendly, handmade and as individual as you are!
Mixed Media Jewelry
If crocheted jewelry has sparked your creativity, you may also enjoy this celtic knot necklace, soda tab necklace or these crochet leaf earrings!
Pin Crochet Necklace
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Creative Craft Hop
Next up, visit Gail from Purple Hues and Me to see her Terrain Style Taper Candle Cuffs. When you’re done, be sure to explore the other inspiring projects below too: