Knit Jewelry Knitting Patterns

The other day I saw this gorgeous knit wire pendant somewhere on the internet, and it got me thinking that I hadn’t written about knitting jewelry in a while.

While you can knit with wire to make bracelets, necklaces and pendants, you can also use yarn, with or without beads, to make knit jewelry. There’s really something for everyone! Here are a few fun patterns to get you started.

Since I fell down this rabbit hole thanks to the wire mandala pendant from Katherine Walters, it makes sense to start there. This is a free pattern on YouTube (the link is to part one but there are two parts) that uses 16 gauge and 26 gauge wire to make a pretty round pendant. You can add beads in a couple of different places if you like, or keep it just wire.

Probably the easiest bit of knit jewelry you can make is this simple fidget bracelet, made from a tube of knitting with a marble inside. You can get the free pattern on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen.

While we’re on the subject of bracelets, this plaited bracelet from Janelle Martin is a great use for leftover bits of yarn. The pieces are worked in linen stitch and braided together with button accents to make a really cool cuff. You can get the pattern from Ravelry.

Or try the BCBC bracelet, which uses a cable instead of braiding separate strands. You can use any yarn at any gauge for this pattern, which also has a button closure. It’s designed by Molly HatChick and you can get it on Ravelry.

Laura Nelkin has so many great beaded knitting jewelry projects I don’t know how to pick one, but I did. Mingle is a little beaded cuff that can be either knit or crocheted. You string beads onto the embroidery floss before you start knitting, then slide beads into place when you need them. These look great in a stack, and would be a great gift for a tween or a teen who loves sparkle. You can get the pattern alone on Ravelry or buy a kit from Nelkin on Etsy with beads included.

How about a knit necklace? This cable braided necklace from Olga Jazzy is super cute and easy to stitch, and it could double as a headband. It’s actually made from strips that are woven together so no cable experience is needed.

Or if you want something a little fancier, there’s the Dulce mio necklace from Petra Breakstone. This one is on Ravelry, and it’s a little bit of garter stitch lace worked sideways. It’s a really quick knit and you can try it on as you go to ensure it’s the perfect length for you.

Knit Kits Wire Jewelry Patterns

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Sometimes I feel like knitters get intimidated to try new things because they think they need to start with a big project. Your first time working in the round doesn’t need to be a sock, and your first colorwork doesn’t need to be a sweater, for example. You can find little projects that use the skills you want to learn to build your confidence before you move on to something that requires more time commitment.

This adorable knit bunny, for example.

The colorwork bunny from Knit Picks was designed by Amy Munson and is a kind of bowling pin shaped bunny complete with a knit hat, contrasting inner ears and a little stranded colorwork on its body. Note that the ears are attached the the hat not the bunny, but you could stitch them to the bunny if you’d rather.

It’s worked from the bottom up and also has a tiny pompom tail you can’t see in the picture but it’s a really cute touch. There are a variety of little fair isle patterns to choose from to make the best bunny for you.

The bunny comes out about 8 inches tall (or just over 20 cm) and use several colors to complete the colorwork, depending on the design you choose.

You can purchase the pattern by itself from Knit Picks, or make a kit that includes sport weight yarn in all the colors you need for your creation. There are gray and brown options for the main body of the bunny, but of course if you’re using your own yarn you can make it whatever color you like.

Once you’ve tried colorwork (maybe also working in the round and shaping if those are skills you haven’t used before) in a little project like this you’ll be ready to take on something bigger in no time.

Check out the pattern on Knit Picks.

[Photo: Knit Picks]

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