This flattering necklace has been designed to fall on the collarbone and is guaranteed to steal the show. Created using multi-layered yarn in earthy tones woven through natural cotton, it is finished with the new edition square knot button and a long fray. A must-have accessory that will have you turning heads whatever the event.
1. Leaving a 5cm (2in) cord end, join the three 1m (31⁄4ft) lengths of 2mm (3⁄32in) twisted cotton string with an overhand knot.
2. Secure the overhand knot vertically to a flat surface using adhesive tape, then plait the secured lengths of twisted cotton string together for 80cm (311⁄2in). Finish the plait by tying an overhand knot and trim ends to 5cm (2in).
3. Placing the plait horizontally and working 35cm (133⁄4in) from each end, secure it onto a project board using T-pins, or to a flat surface using adhesive tape (see Mounting Techniques). This becomes your holding cord (see Essential Terminology).
4. Mount the thirty-six 40cm (153⁄4in) lengths of 2mm (3⁄32in) twisted cotton string onto the plait using reverse lark’s head knots.
5. Drop down 1.5cm (5⁄8in). Take the 35cm (133⁄4in) length of 2mm (3⁄32in) twisted cotton string and secure it horizontally onto the project board, using T-pins or adhesive tape. This now becomes the holding cord.
6. Leaving cord ends of 7cm (23⁄4in), tie double half hitches with all cords along the holding cord, then weave in the holding cord ends using the weaving finishing technique. This creates a negative space that will be used as the warp for your weave in steps 8–12.
7. Tie a row of eighteen square knot buttons directly beneath the row of double half hitches, spacing them 7mm (9⁄32in) apart to leave space to tuck in the cords.
8. Take two 2.4m (8ft) lengths of 1mm (1⁄32in) colour 1 cotton yarn (to be used as your weft thread) and thread both pieces evenly through the eye of the tapestry needle, pulling them all the way through until the ends meet evenly. You now have four even lengths of 1.2m (4ft) yarn.
9. Using the threaded needle, soumak weave through the negative space for one row. Use a weaving finishing technique to weave in cord ends through the back of the design.
10. Take two 2.4m (8ft) lengths of 1mm (1⁄32in) colour 2 cotton yarn (to be used as your weft thread) and thread both pieces evenly through the eye of the tapestry needle, pulling them all the way through until the ends meet evenly. You now have four even lengths of 1.2m (4ft) yarn.
11. Directly above your soumak weave row, use the threaded needle to tabby weave through the negative space in a two over two under pattern for one row. Use a weaving finishing technique to weave in cord ends through the back of the design.
12. Repeat steps 8 and 9 directly above the tabby weave row.
13. To finish the necklace, trim the cords beneath the square knot button row to the desired length and fray, using the photograph as a guide.
