Leather Chain Necklace

A really simple, soft necklace made out of leather. It takes a little while to cut out all the pieces, but it's mindless so you can easily do it while watching a movie or something. The rest just takes a couple minutes.

What you need:
A piece of leather, approx. 12" x 12" (I bought a piece 24" x 24" at Dressew here in Vancouver for $7)
Utility knife (and something to cut on, like a self-healing mat)
Pen
Scissors
Needle & thread
Template: You can draw a template freehand, or you can go here to print out the template I created.
*Print the template on heavy cardstock.

Step 1: Cut Out Template

Print the template that I have provided (HERE) on heavy cardstock and cut out with a utility knife.

Step 2: Trace the Template

On the back side of the leather, trace out the template with a pen (pencil will be hard to see).

Step 3: Cut Out the Shape

Cut the shape out with scissors, being careful to cut on the inside of the pen line so there will be no visible lines. To cut out the centers, fold and snip with your scissors and then cut out.

Step 4: Trace & Cut More Shapes

Keep tracing and cutting out the shapes until you have your desired amount. I used 36 pieces for a long necklace, but this totally depends on how long you want the finished necklace to be.

Step 5: Link Two Together

Fold one of the pieces in half so the smooth side is facing out. Now slip a second piece through the hole, as shown.

Step 6: Continue Linking

Now fold the second piece over, and add a third one through the hole of the second. Continue linking them together.

Step 7: Find Desired Length

Hold the necklace up to your neck to check the length as you go. Keep linking until you get to your desired length. Again, I used 36 pieces for mine.

Step 8: Stitch Closed

If your necklace is long like mine, you will be able to pull it over your head so you don't need a closure. Just fold the last piece over the first one, and make a little stitch (see the middle two links in the picture).

Step 9: Done!

Here's a picture of me wearing the necklace so you can get an idea about the length of the finished necklace, as well as the size of the links.

Thanks for reading my instructable!