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Last Updated on October 4, 2023 by Katherine
Hey people! Happy New Year! I hope 2020 is treating you well so far and welcome to my first blog post of the year! As promised, it is a necklace tutorial, specifically on making a lariat necklace.
What is a lariat necklace, you ask? Instead of a traditional lobster or other type of clasp, you fasten a lariat necklace by looping one end into the other or tying a knot. Today I’m going to show you the first option, looping one end into the other.
I like this style of necklace because it’s not something I see frequently, and you don’t have to fight to secure the necklace with the various closures (lobster claws and closure rings can be tricky–especially if you have trouble gripping them!). I’ve made necklaces like these as gifts for friends and family with dexterity issues in their hands, for example.
It’s called a lariat because it resembles a lariat used in ranching (also known as a lasso).
What you will need:
You don’t need a lot to get started on making a lariat necklace. To make one similar to the one I’ll show you in this tutorial post, pick up:
- Jewelry chain (one);
- Eye pins (two);
- Beads (six);
- Split rings (four);
- Oval ring (one); and,
- Pendant (one).
Besides the necklace supplies, I recommend the following pliers:
- Round-nose pliers (to loop the end of your eye pins);
- Regular pliers (to help grip and close your split rings); and,
- Snippers (to cut unnecessary pieces from your project).
Where to Shop:
I have many places that I regularly shop for beading supplies. I bought the supplies for this tutorial at the first two retailers. Still, I’ve included a few others to consider because they offer some selection (note, some of these are the Canadian sites, just so you’re aware if you’re outside of Canada):
Start At the Loop
I always start at the loop of my lariat necklace and go from there. So, in this case, we’ll take our circle and attach a split ring to one side.
Get your Eye Pin Ready
Next up, I strung three crystal beads onto an eye pin and looped off the end when done. If you’re new to making loops, I recommend checking out Making It Easy With Liz’s video on YouTube as it has some beneficial tips.
Connecting Your Loop and Beaded Eye Pin
Connect your eye pin to the split ring attached to the loop.
Adding Your Chain
I recommend measuring your chain length out. I just eyeballed it by looping it around my neck and then cut the chain down to length. You could also figure out how long you want the finished necklace to be and subtract accordingly based on the length of the pendant, beaded eye pins, and ring as necessary. However, measuring it on yourself is a simple and straightforward way to get your chain to the length you need.
Once you have your chain cut to the length you want it, attach one end to the other end of the eye pin, I like to use a split ring to make that connection.
Finishing Your Necklace
On the opposite end of your chain, connect another beaded eye pin (I just copied the eye pin above) and then attach your pendant to the eye pin.
Lariat Necklaces Are Unique and Beautiful Pieces
Again, one of my favorite necklaces is the lariat because of its lack of closure. These necklaces are great options for children or adults with dexterity issues in their hands because they don’t have to fasten their necklaces with a hard to clasp closure. It’s much easier to loop the necklace around and slide the pendant part through the loop than it is to attach everything with a lobster or ring clasp.
Lariat necklaces are also not at common as the “traditional” styles that include a closure, so I find they’re different.
Finally, I like lariats because they are relatively easy to make and style. There are many options available, the necklace I showcase here is relatively simple, but you can look at adding additional strands, more beaded elements, and unique rings and pendants.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and found it useful. Please share this with your network on your favorite social media platform. I’d also love it if you’re willing to share this post on Pinterest!
That’s all for now, until next time, stay crafty!
Other Necklace Tutorials To Try:
How to Make a Gorgeous Three Strand Pearl Necklace
How to Make a Statement Necklace
Simple Waterfall Necklace – How to Make A Necklace You Will Love
How To Make A Beautiful Scrap Necklace
