Plaited trimming and fabric necklace

Braided necklace

This is a rather rustic ethnic inspired necklace. A friend was wearing one similar to this but with multiple strands of ribbon in a riot of colours with cute charms interspersed in it.

For my version, I used only three strands. Just enough to make a plait. There is a long strip of green felt. The felt was in my cupboard. There is a length of thin white ribbon. And I had a piece of thicker sheer black ribbon.

I took a clothes peg to hold the three long pieces together and loosely plaited them. Every now and again, I threaded in a black rubber washer or a silver coloured metal washer. If you look on the top right side of the photo, you will even see some nuts. Think nuts and bolts! Those nuts. I bought these items in packets at the hardware for the rope bracelets I made a while back. Seemed a good idea to use them up. After plaiting a long enough piece, I knotted each strand together and then sort of shook it loose to settle. And that was it.

You could use up fabric off-cuts, wool, embroidery thread, just about anything, as long as you have enough to plait. You could make bangles too. I’m not sure a ring would work, but I’m the sort that would try it. This is quite a bold and unusual item so I wear this with sedate and classic clothing. I would also mix it with a long silver chain.

The Greenie Galleries at the top of this page have 100s of photos of older and newer projects showing multiple ways to make your own clothing and accessories. There are also ideas to recycle or upcycle.

See you soon.

Greenie.