DIY | Kitschy Beaded Necktie Necklace
Lately it seems all the buzz is about fancy collars and crazy cool necklaces that look like collars and ties. (At least in my world, that is!) Over the holidays, I was eyeing this glitzy gold necktie styled necklace, decided to check out vintage options online, and found that I couldn’t stop thinking about wearing a kitschy necktie necklace made of pearls. And why buy one when I can make one for very little money, and get that satisfaction from saying, “Why, yes! I did make it myself!” I can’t wait to plan an entire outfit around this crazy cool necklace! Oh, the possibilities.
Trim the filament to about 3 feet length and begin by knotting it on 1 bead. Don’t trim the end of the filament yet, though (see my tip at the end for this). Now string 5 more beads onto the filament, and making a circle, thread the filament back through the first bead and then the next 3 beads in the circle. Now add 5 more beads to the line, and repeat the previous circle’s action of threading through the first and next 3 beads of the circle you just made. Repeat this so that you have made 28 circles, creating a long strand (as shown above on the left).
Begin the next row on the bead left of center on your last circle (as shown above right). This will make your rows staggered as they continue. Start this row by adding 4 beads to the filament, and then thread the filament through the adjacent circle’s (on the first row) second bead, then back through the bead you started on, and then back through the circle you just made, except for the last bead. This process can be confusing at first, so look closely at these images for guidance, and if in doubt, always thread the filament back through a circle you just made, looking for the appropriate place to stop and begin your next loop. After you make the first circle on the second row, only add 3 beads to the filament for subsequent circles, instead of 4 beads. When you finish the row, start the next row the same way by adding 4 beads for the first circle, and only 3 for the subsequent ones. When you’ve finished 3 rows total (including the first), go back to the first row you made, and add two more to the other side of it, making sure to stagger the rows so that you have a point at the end, as shown below left.
After you’ve finished the dangling portion of the tie, you can begin a new pattern for the “knot.” Begin the first row by knotting the filament on the first bead, and stringing the filament through that bead and 3 more beads, circling back through the first bead and following 2 beads. Now add 3 more beads to the filament, circling back through the last bead of the last loop you made, and then the next 2 beads that you just strung on repeat so that you have 8 loops. On the last loop, instead of only circling through the first 2 beads that you just strung, thread through all 3 of them.
To begin the next row, add 3 beads to the filament and then thread the filament back through the last bead on the previous row (where you left off) and then the first bead on the loop you just made. Now add only 2 beads to the filament, thread the filament through the bead sticking out from the second loop on the previous row, through the last bead on the last loop you made, then then through the two beads you just strung on. Repeat this until you’ve read the end of the row, begin your next row the same way you began this one, starting with adding three beads, then only two per loop. Make 7 rows total.
The last steps are the easiest. Lay the “knot” part (what you just made) over top of the dangling part and using filament, loop through the beads of the knot and dangling portions to connect them. I connect them on their second rows, so there is some overhang. After they are connected loop filament through the corner beads at the bottom of the knot part, and pull it tight so that the tie is cinched. Then go up a row, loop through one side’s edge bead, add two beads to the filament, and loop it through the opposite side’s edge bead, just like lacing a pair of shoes. The next row at one bead, so that there are three, loop through the other side, then add 4, then 5, adding 1 bead each time you start a new row. When you get to the top, tie it off. Then you need to connect filament to the top edges and string 36 to 40 beads on the filament and connect to the clasp at the end. Do this on each side, and the necklace is complete!
Here’s a Tip: As you go along, don’t work with too long of a filament or you’ll end up in knots! Keep the length to no longer than 3 feet, and when you have to stop, tie off the filament, tuck the end through several beads, and then trim off the excess. Always double knot, and make sure your knots are tight!
Just discovered your blog via a Pinterest pin and I love it :) I miss my Midwest and hope to get back there soon. So many wonderful comforts that I miss everyday!
Again, lovely blog, and can’t wait to start following!
Nicole
Thanks! Happy to have you here!
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is great blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back. gbfedeedeaca
that is AMAAZING!!!! so cool! :D
wow that’s so cool! :)Irene Wibowo
Wow, you did a great job on that! It looks just like a vintage one. I used to have one that I wore awhile back, shouldn’t have sold it. :( I love ties!
Very lovely! I love the color of the beads – simply beautiful! Great job! Thanks for sharing :-)
I love this :) but I’m having difficulty doing it I guess I’m not that creative anyways do you have video for this?
I love this tie and so far have made 2. One pearl and one Swarovsky crystals. However you don’t say how many beads you need to make the tie. I used almost 750. I have yet to make a blue pearl one and a jet crystal one. Thanks so much for the directions.
Thank you so much for sharing … Pattern was easy to follow … I had a bit a trouble getting the first row of the dangle tight enough so I did an additional found of thread on each round as I went and it workeId great and continued that throughout the whold dangle.
Is there a video of this? Some things I just need to see visually in action.
Is there a video for this? It would be so helpful
I’m sorry, there isnt! When I made this I was taking care if a newborn and didn’t have anyone able to help me with a video. I ended up doing this project in between lots of feedings. Maybe I will do something similar again and do a video!
I have one similar bought in the 70s…want to make one. New video instructions..please..:)
I have this same necklace in Red, White, and Blue that was my grand mothers. I’ve had it for 20 years now but I have no idea how long she had it….
Thanks so much! I had one very similar when I was a teen. I was trying to make a pattern. You made my life easier!
I stumbled onto this site looking for jewelry to make. I love the tie idea. I have been looking for a couple of years now for the perfect tie to one of my outfits. Now I can just make it :-) thanks.
I really want to make a pearl beaded necktie. Can u please send a video showing how to get started. Please.
Thanks,
Melissa
I’m better at doing something if I see it being done…help
I am finding it difficult how to connect the knot and the dangling portion together. Any assistance.
Counting on your assistance.
Please have a video, would be easier please thanks