Woolery--knitted/felted Jewelry

Heavy metal chains conduct cold--and another word for diamonds? Ice! So if a girl wants to accessorize and keep warm, regular jewelry isn't going to throw any sparks. Since all I want to do when the cold winds blow is knit, I decided to knit a necklace that would add some color to my thermal turtleneck while keeping me warm.

This is an easy project, fine for a beginning knitter who has knitted in the round with double pointed needles. The only tricky part is making sure you add the "links" as you go, sliding them and moving them over your needles as you go.

Step 1: Casting On

Using 100% wool (no blends), cast on 18 stitches on size 8 or 9 double-pointed needle. Since you will be felting all of this later, exact guage, number of stitches, etc. is not crucial.

Step 2: Divide--and Conquer a Loop

Divide these stitches onto 3 double-pointed needles--and if this is your first loop--knit 6 rounds and cast off, giving you your first link or loop. Since the trick is to connect these loops, in the next step, you'll see I am adding one to an ongoing chain.

Step 3: Adding Your Loop

Slip the loop onto your needle and connect your stitches, knitting six rounds, moving the already completed loop around the needle as you knit the new one. It feels awkward at first--but you'll get used to it quickly.

Step 4: Loopy

See how the new(red)loop is now attached to the chain.

Step 5: Binding Off

Bind off after your sixth round of knitting and using a tapestry needle, weave in the ends, and allow the link/loop to roll in on itself naturally.

Step 6: Loopier

See? This is becoming a nicely rounded loop added to the chain!

Step 7: Loopiest

You can see it clearly here--the loops rolled in on themselves, wrong side of knitting on the outside.
When your chain is long enough, felt by throwing the chain of knitted loops into your washing machine with a pair of jeans to give some tumbling weight to the process, and wash with a tiny drop of soap on your hottest setting.

Step 8: Woolery, Not Jewelry!

When the wash cycle is complete, you should have a felted chain that you can fasten around your neck by pulling as many loops through the end--like a lariat. Once felted, you can shape the loops while still damp, then let dry thoroughly. Wear and be prepared for compliments!

Comments

[CindyW68]

This is really cute! I can't wear, or work with wool, so I'll just have to do this out of other fibers. THanks!!

[jackowens]

This is a really cool idea! Very nice :)

[Profknot]

Super happy to see this on the Instructables. When I originally wrote this pattern for Knitty.com back in '05 I was frustrated that I couldn't show people how easy it was with pictures. Since then, over 600 people have managed it (according to Ravelry). I'm sure many more will really enjoy this now that it's here.

[rowsoprose]

I never saw the pattern on ravelry, but I am so happy to know it's there! I figured this out hit and miss (more miss) when I was trying to mimic a paper chain for a holiday decoration. I actually was a little sloppy with it, figuring once I felted it, all mistakes would be forgiven. When it came out of the washing machine, I loved it and put it on as a necklace/scarf and immediately had people asking me to make one for them and/or for the pattern. Now I know I can refer them to your work on ravelry which I am sure is more precise and correct. I joined ravelry when it came on the scene, but have never spent much time there. I can see that I should. Thanks so much for posting!

[_chink_]

I love this! I've never felted anything before, but I'm willing to try just for this project, and with winter just a few months away, I think this has to be near the top of my to do list =)

[jet h]

Hi , i love this, and i gonna make one! I love felting and knitting, and i do it often, Nice and good diy! Very clear! I think you can knit it easyer to use a rond knitting needle. If you have setting the stiches on, and you must make the first rond, you pull the rondknitneedle through the earlyer loop and then you knit your rounds. But its a great idea and very cool!

[rowsoprose]

thanks--i used double-pointed needles because there were so few stitches that I would have to stretch them too far on a circular needle--but it might be okay if you can get a short enough circular. Let me know how it works. I'm starting to make these again for fall--to put in my etsy shop or to layer on the necks of my friends!

[jet h]

Hi I 'm knitting my chain jewelry now on only two needles, i have found very thick treah and i hadn't not so thick needles to knit it with four needles, so i make small material and have to sew it by hand together , mayby an solution for others they don't can knit with four needles. When i'm finished i will send you a picture. greetings jet

[jet h]

Hey, Your right, i have try it , but with so few stiches, i don't work, so you have to use more needles. I'm knitting often so i can do difficult things on needles, but this is not the right solution. I have seen on a sight your brachelet version, only knitted, and then if you use a short round knitting needle you can use that, but by this chain not. greetings. I will started now on four needles, i still love your project, its awesome!

[OnePrettyThing]

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks so much, I'll be linking to this.

[ClaudiaRN]

Thx for the very nice details! have done a few of these, first seen as a pattern on Knitty. I really like wearing mine, and yes- it DOES keep you warmer. i found that using 2 circular knitting needles works great, less falling off the needles( in my carry around bag) and easier to keep the already done loop, out of the way. Be sure to test that the yarn is from wool that actually felts too! I have knit it in a light grey or white yarn (easy on my eyes) then dye in a color so the entire chain is all one color. Experiment gang- longer loops are fun too.

[tigerseye]

I love it and am going to give it a go. They look timeless & classy. Well done for winning!

[chiroptikitty]

I found a great "chain chomp" hat pattern, but was stumped on the chain part. This will look so cool dangling off the back.

[sensoryhouse]

Stay Warm? not really

[artifex1975]

Okay, who is going to be the first to make a 'chain mail' sweater? : )

[joyride68]

I cannot wait to try this!!!

[stinkymum]

Are you on Ravelry?

[rowsoprose]

I haven't really participated on Ravelry, although I did join the site early on. I should probably devote some time to exploring.

[stinkymum]

So glad you won, I love this idea.

[rowsoprose]

Thanks so much--this was my first instructable, but it won't be my last! Posting "woolery" gave me the confidence to open an etsy shop--and now I win a prize? Too good to be true!