Here’s a necklace cord that’s quick and easy. It makes for a popular class in yarn shops for advanced crochet beginners.

This pendant cord is ideal for large-holed and lightweight pendants, such as the abalone ring (pictured). Whip up one at the last minute to wear to a party. Switch out pendants, wear it lariat-style with the bead clasp in the front, or hang your eyeglasses in one of the links to quickly “grab and read”.

See all of my crochet jewelry patterns in one place.

Flexible pattern is written with three options to accommodate the widest range of materials:

1. Unstrung Pendant
2. Pre-Strung Pendant
3. Pre-Strung Barrel Beads

Use option #2 for smaller-holed pendants (permanently strung, such as the yellow necklace pictured). Use option #3 for decorating each “cats-eye” with large-holed spacers or barrel beads.

Pattern also includes instructions for making an adjustable crochet-along metal-free loop-and-bead clasp.

Yarn: The stiffer and springier the yarn used, the better. The yellow has gone limp with wear so it’s not my first choice for this project. Perhaps crocheting it along with with fine crochet thread or wire would improve it.

Choosing Beads, Pendants:
For all three options (if desired): one large bead for clasp, preferably a striking accent bead so that necklace may also be worn lariat-style without a pendant (pattern includes instructions for a crocheted “button” alternative)
For Unstrung Pendant Option: A large-holed pendant, ideally of lightweight material such as shell, wood, plastic, etc. To test hole, crochet about 15 chain stitches with the hook and yarn you will use for lariat, double it over, and see if the doubled thickness of stitches passes through the hole easily enough. If not, use Pre-Strung Pendant Option.
For Pre-Strung Pendant Option: A lightweight pendant with a hole large enough for your yarn to pass through.
For Pre-Strung Beaded Option: Approximately 18 large-holed beads. The holes need to be large enough for chain stitches to pass through easily enough. (Holes of barrel beads shown are 5mm across and are also called “spacers.”) They slide freely within the Cats-Eye links. I love that :-)