Hematite Lariat

Though not a new design, lariat necklaces are making a come back. The basic design dictates that the lariat connect in the front. Otherwise, designs vary greatly. This lariat design I put together ties in the front and combines hematite and semi-precious beads.

You’ll need:

180 4mm hematite beads
11 citrine beads
12 amethyst beads
2 hematite tear drop beads
2 black seed beads
Black size 4 nylon cord with attached needle
scissors
glue
corsage pin

1. Unravel the nylon cord from the card.

2. Insert the needle (already attached to the cord) through the smaller end of a tear drop bead.

3. Slip on 1 black seed bead.

4. Skip the black seed beads, and bring the needle back through the larger end of the tear drop beads.

5. Tie two over hand knots ensuring that the knots are close up against the narrow end of the tear drop bead. For this first set of knots, I didn’t need to use my corsage pin. However, if you have trouble getting the knot up against the bead, use the pin to push the knot against it.

6. Now start string on the all your beads except the extra tear drop and seed bead. I used the following bead pattern:

a) 1 amethyst, 10 hematite, 1 citrine, 10 hematite, 1 amethyst, 10 hematite, 1 citrine, 10 hematite, 1 amethyst, 1 citrine, 1 amethyst, 10 hematite

b) 1 citrine, 10 hematite, 1 amethyst, 10 hematite, 1 citrine, *15 hematite, 1 amethyst, 1 citrine, 1 amethyst

c) Repeat all of the above pattern starting at * (15 hematite beads) and working backwards from there.

7. Now slip on the other hematite tear drop with the narrow end going on the needle first.

8. Add your other black seed bead also.

9. Skip the black seed beads, and bring the needle back through the larger end of the tear drop beads.

10. Push the beads just added up against the amethyst bead.

11. Tie an over hand knot with the cord, but keep the knot loose still.

12. Position the knot so it will tighten in between the amethyst bead and the hematite tear drop.

13. At this point, you’ll need to insert the corsage pin through the loose over hand knot.

14. Now tighten the knot and use the pin to push the knot up against the amethyst. I really played with my knot a lot and didn’t tighten it until I was absolutely sure the tension would be correct. If it’s too tight, the necklace will be stiff. If it’s too loose, you’ll have spaces in between beads.

15. Dab a drop of glue (super glue works well here) on both the knots at the beginning of the lariat and at the end.

16. Use scissors to trim off excess nylon cord making sure to cut very close to your knot. You may want to let the glue dry a little before cutting here so you don’t get glue on your scissors.

The finished necklace is approximately 34 inches long. I’ve seen lariats as long as 40 inches long. To wear the lariat, simple place it around your neck (as if you were going to put on a neck tie), and tie a loose, over hand knot with both ends.

All graphics created by Tammy Powley.