Crocheting a Necklace

I wear glasses.  I wear reading glasses and I wear sunglasses.  I lose my glasses a lot.  There seems to be an direct correlation between how much money I spend and the likelihood of me losing the glasses. The really expensive ones sometimes get lost on the way out of the mall... Sigh...

But, seriously, I misplace my glasses a lot.  But I don't really care for the long lanyard with a loop glasses holders that are out there, so that wasn't really an option for me.  What I really wanted was something that was so pretty, no one would ever suspect that (in the privacy of my own home) I sometimes loop my glasses through it for safekeeping.

I had picked up some plastic cabone rings the last time that I was at the craft store, and I was excited to experiment with them. The 3/4" size seemed a perfect fit for my project.

On my first try, I experimented with a crochet/macrame combo using the cabone rings and some hemp cord. It looked exactly like I had wanted, but it was a little scratchy, and I didn't like the sliding closure I put in the back.

So, I got out my trusty size 3 crochet cotton and re-made it.  This time I just crocheted long ties, so I could adjust the length each time I wear it with a simple knot.

I really like how it turned out.  I was showing them to my mom, and she insisted that I sit down and make one for her immediately. If you need one right away, I will give you my (very simple, very minimal) instructions.

The (Glasses Holding, shhh!) Necklace

approx. 25" long

Supplies:

Size 3 Crochet Cotton in the color of your choice, or a fine hemp cord if that's more your style

Size D crochet hook

One 3/4" plastic cabone ring

Four 1/2" plastic cabone rings

Sharp yarn needle

Okay, so there's not an exact way to do this.  Grab the big cabone ring.  It's going to be your center.  Sc over the plastic.  It will take between 25 and 30 sc stitches to go around.  When you can't squeeze any more stitches on, sc the last st to the first st.  Cut the yarn at this point and weave the end in.

Sc the same way around all four of the smaller cabone rings.  They will take about 15 sc stitches.  After you sc the ring of stiches together, leave a longish tail for attaching them together.  Use the picture for reference.  Use two of the rings to make a Mickey-Mouse-ish shape, then attach the others on the outside so that no one else notices that you're wearing a Disney icon. Weave in all those ends, please!

Now that you have your center piece complete, attach the yarn on one side (it doesn't matter which, you'll do the other side as soon as this side is done) and chain 71.  

R1: starting in 2nd ch from the hook, sl st across all 70 ch spaces.

Fasten off.  Leave a tail and weave it into the ring to secure the side piece.

Repeat on the other side.

If my instructions have scared you, I want to reassure you that once you get going, it is the simplest project in the world.  The hardest part is weaving the ends in, and that's just basic sewing.  If you're on the fence, I say go for it!

Okay, so me and my glasses are off for the day! I hope you have a good day too, dear Dynamos!

xoxo