6. Chunky Braided Cotton & Metal Ring Rope Necklace
What This Idea Means
Combining textile arts with metal hardware, this tactile statement necklace features thick braided cotton cord woven through interlocked brass O-rings. It brings bold texture and modern sculptural flair to simple linen outfits.
How to Make It
- Cut Cotton Cord: Cut three 30-inch lengths of thick 4mm unbleached cotton cord.
- Anchor Top Ends: Tape top ends together onto a table using painter’s tape.
- Braid and Feed Rings: Begin a standard three-strand braid. Every 2 inches, slide a 1-inch polished brass O-ring onto the outer cord strand before crossing it over into the braid.
- Finish Braid: Continue braiding until reaching 18 inches, keeping ring placement symmetrical across the center arc.
- Glue End Caps: Trim cord ends, apply E6000 adhesive inside heavy brass cord end caps, and insert braided cord ends. Let cure for 24 hours. Connect a lobster clasp to the end caps.
Tips & Variations
- Tip: Comb out the raw cotton ends extending past the end caps if you prefer a tassel finish instead of metal caps.
- Variation: Dip-dye the center of the finished cotton braid into indigo dye for a Japanese Shibori gradient effect.
What You Need
- 4mm unbleached cotton cord
- 1-inch polished brass O-rings
- Heavy metal cord end caps & lobster clasp
- Painter’s tape & tape measure
- E6000 craft glue
