Wrapped Bead Y Chain Necklace

Perfect for V neck sweaters or tops, the beaded components of this necklace are made of lightweight wire to give it an airy, feminine feel. The wrapping of the beads creates the illusion that the beads are being held in place by the wraps – but it’s stronger than it looks due to the extra wrapped loop components.

Level: Medium

Materials
24-26g
6mm round beads (15)
8mm round bead (1)
Lightweight chain, 8-10″, depending on desired length of necklace
Magnetic clasp
4mm sterling oval jump rings (2)

I work with 15″ sections of wire. There is a little waste, but I find it is easier than working directly off the spool, and the added length (instead of cutting single sections for each link) is easier to work with and in the end creates less wasted wire.

Cut a length of wire approximately 15″ long.

To make your first bead component, string one 6mm bead on the wire, and create a wrapped loop at one end. Clip excess wire from the wrapped loop. Using the longer end of the wire, create a wrapped loop on the other end of the bead, and wind the wire back around the bead to the other wrapped loop. Circle the loop stem once, wind the wire around the bead again, circle the other loop stem once, and wind the wire around the bead again. Finish the component by wrapping the wire around the loop stem 2-3 times, clip wire close to stem. You now have a bead that has two wrapped loops and is wrapped with three pieces of wire.

Make a second component in the same manner, but when you create the second wrapped loop, thread the first component on the wire. Take care that the first component stays inside the wire loop, so they are chained together. Repeat steps above to create your second component. Repeat all steps until you have a chain of seven wire-wrapped beads. On the last bead of the chain, attach one end of the lightweight sterling silver chain to the end loop.

As you run out of wire, cut another 15″ length to work with. Save scraps to make jump rings or charms for other pieces.

Make a second chain of seven wire-wrapped beads. Attach the other end of the lightweight sterling chain to the last bead. You will now have a long segment of beads and chain in the following order – approximately 5″ wire-wrapped beads, 8″ of sterling chain, approximately 5″ wire-wrapped beads.

Use the 8mm bead to make another wrapped bead. When making one of the wrapped loops, thread the two loose ends of your bead segment onto the wire and chain to the 8mm bead component. This will create a dangle on the front of your necklace. With the remaining wire, make a tiny coil (this will serve as a head pin) at one end. Thread the remaining 6mm bead on the wire and make a wrapped loop at the top. Attach the bottom loop of the 8mm bead by threading it on the wire and keeping it inside the loop (just like you create the beaded chain above.) Wrap the 6mm bead as above. Carefully fold the coil on the bottom of the bead to hold it in place securely.

Carefully measure and determine the midpoint of the top of the chain. Cut the chain in half, using a wire cutter, and attach the clasp to the chain using jump rings (or create your own using sterling wire.)

–L. Kvigne