Artistry
By Judy Stinton
Wrapping
Begin with the shorter, thicker cord and cut the ends into tapered points. Cut three types of yarn into 2-yard lengths. Holding the three yarns together, place the yarn ends 2 1/2" from the tapered cord point and begin wrapping the yarns toward the cord point, keeping the yarns close together, without overlapping. Wrap the cording for about 1 1/2" toward the point, leaving the tapered tip exposed (1).
Bend back the tapered end and wrap it tightly into the body of the cord, overlapping the previous wraps (2).
Continue wrapping the cord until the yarn ends are about 1 1/2" long. Lay the ends along the cord and secure with the clothespin while you prepare three new yarns. Place the new yarn ends over the previous ends and continue wrapping over all (3).
Wrap the cording to the opposite tapered point, bend back the point and wrap the end, covering the point. Trim the remaining yarn to about 6". Thread all three ends into a yarn needle and run the needle under previously wrapped yarns for about 1" (4). Trim yarn close to the wrapped work. Using all-purpose sewing thread, secure the wrapped cord ends with a few hand stitches. Note: There is a lot of strain and wear on the necklace ends so they need to be secure.
Repeat the above process with the longer cord. As the wrapped cord gets longer it can tangle and slow your progress. Coil up the wrapped cord and secure it with a twist tie. Re-coil and secure several times as needed. Finish the ends in the same manner as above, reinforcing with a few hand stitches.
When the wrapping is complete, fold the shorter cord in half and mark the center with a pin. Twist the longer cord causing it to coil and intertwine, catching the shorter cord in the coils at the center point. Form a pleasing knot shape with the coiled cord and secure with a few hand stitches. Don't sew so tightly that you can't slip baubles under and around the coils.
Material Tips
Closures and Embellishing
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