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My latest PIY –> DIY post is my absolute favorite project to date! I have been loving the choker necklaces I have seen lately. There are many trends of the 90’s that should never be revived (e.g. pooka shell necklaces), but I’m a big fan of the 90’s choker revival.
I have been looking to buy some and found that they tend to run about $15-25 each. But, then I saw the Pinterest pin to the right from Sweet Teal and was inspired to try to make my own!
Jenny from Sweet Teal features tons of great DIY projects on her blog, so make sure to check it out. After reading through the post, I decided to go for it!
So, off to Michael’s I went for supplies. First tip: always check for coupons before buying something from Michael’s because they are constantly running great deals. Today, I found a 20% off my entire purchase coupon including sale items. I also realized I had a gift card from Michael’s I hadn’t used, so this entire purchase cost me nothing out of pocket! Score!
Here’s what I picked up:
- 1/2 inch velvet black ribbon ($2.99/roll)
- 1/4 inch satin black ribbon ($0.50/roll)
- 2 packages of suede cord ($3.69/each)
- 3 types of decorative beads: ($1.99-2.99/each set) I totally lucked out that all the beads were 50% off when I went to Michael’s! So you can wait for a sale and stock up for extra savings.
Other supplies you will need but probably already have at home: pliers and scissors
I was pleasantly surprised by the prices of the supplies I found at Michael’s. I mean I got a huge spool of ribbon for only $0.50! Every single item I bought was under $5. Plus, many of the supplies I got are enough for making multiple choker necklaces. So, you could even buy the supplies with a friend and split the cost to make this an even cheaper DIY!
Step 1: Unwrap your suede cord. It will look a little crimped from being wrapped up, so simply iron it on medium high heat until it is nice and straight.
Step 2: Measure how much you will need by simply wrapping the cord around your necklace in the desired style. Once you find the desired length, cut the ends at an angle about 1″ longer than you ultimately want so you have some extra cord to knot your beads.
Step 3: The first style I tried out was the classic boho look. I wrapped it twice around my neck and then did an over-under tie (like the first step when you are trying your shoes) mid-way down.
Step 4: Beads! Take the two ends together, and thread a bead onto the two strings. Here is the bead I used for the middle one because I did struggle with how big the bead holes needed to be when at the store. I lucked out because they worked out perfectly. Now, slide the bead up to the over-under tie you did and push it right over where it is tied so it covers the knot (well more like a half knot).
Step 5: Add a bead at the end of each strand. I used beads that are very similar to the other ones, but slightly smaller and I liked the way it looked. Add a knot at the end, pull tightly, and cut off any excess string.
Wah la! All done! How easy was that?!
We’re not finished though! I have 4 more ideas on how you can use these same supplies to make other styles of DIY choker necklaces.
Next up, the DIY Choker Necklace tied up with a bow! I was inspired by this necklace.
Step 1: This one uses the suede cord again. Mine was about 65 inches long but make sure you measure your own since everyone’s will vary. It is longer than the first because I wrapped it around three times. There should be about 6-8 inches hanging down on each end.
Step 2: Get your beads ready to put on. Mine came on a chain, so I used my pliers to open up the circular chain link on the end of the spike to separate it off, then use the pliers to reconnect the circular link to get ready to thread onto the cord.
Step 3: Add your beads to the ends. I chose to add these metal spikes on each end. To make sure you get the length right, I recommend tying one spike on first. Then, leave about 6-8 inches of slack and wrap the suede cord comfortably around your neck three times. Then leave an equal amount of cord on the other end and clip off the excess cord. Then tie on the second spike.
Step 4: Now all that is left to do is tie in a bow and #2 DIY choker necklace is done!
On to #3, the velvet DIY choker necklace:
This one is beyond easy, let me tell you! It will take you less than two minutes to make! When I was at Michaels, I saw this 1/2 inch velvet ribbon and thought it would be perfect for a choker. I had seen this DIY choker tutorial online that uses ribbon clamps, jump rings, and a chain with a clasp. But I thought, why bother? Let me see what it looks like just tied up in a cute bow. Velvet and bows just go together in my mind. So I tied it up and here is what it looks like from the back:
I love how it looks tied in a bow in back and it is way easier! No brainer in my opinion. So here is the 2 step, easiest DIY choker necklace you’ll ever come across:
Step 1: Measure the ribbon to fit your neck. To be safe, leave an extra 4 inches or so on each end to…
Step 2: Tie the bow and then you can clip off the extra ribbon. Done!
Now for the double trouble DIY choker necklace. I used the exact same piece of cord I made for the DIY choker necklace tied up with a bow and just tied it differently to get a new look:
Step 1: Fold the choker in half so the two strands are equal lengths.
Step 2: Take both strands (where folded like a “u”) and wrap around your neck once.
Step 3: Wrap around your neck one more time, but this time, pull the u-shaped loop in front of you and thread both the loose ends through it.
All set!
Our final DIY choker necklaces take less than a dollar to make!!! So they are affordable for absolutely anyone, which is important to me because I am all about budget-friendly style. Instead of the suede cord, these use the thin satin black ribbon that I bought for $0.50 at Michael’s! You heard me right – you can make a dozen of these necklaces below for less than a dollar!
Step 1: You can copy any of the tying techniques above, but I chose to wrap twice around my neck and then tie in a bow in front. The hardest part is measuring the right length, but again just start with one end and don’t cut the other until you have wrapped to get the approximate length. It is pretty forgiving since there is not a perfect length for these necklaces; it is more about personal preference.
Step 2: (optional) you can add a charm to the necklace. I used a little hamsa hand here that I picked up at Michael’s, but you can pick anything that you like out OR use one from another necklace you have. I am all for upcycling!
There you have it! 5 different styles of DIY choker necklaces that you can easily make at home.
This DIY project blew my expectations out of the water! The necklaces turned out so much better than I ever hoped, it was so inexpensive, and it was so easy! What more can you ask for? Honestly, these DIY choker necklaces do not look DIY at all. They look just like the versions you can buy at the store for at least 3x as much!
The verdict:
- Budget: $ for <$20 you can buy supplies for many necklaces for the price of one at the store. Some of the styles take less than $1 to make. You can’t get any more budget-friendly than that!
- Time commitment: ~5 minutes per necklace
- Absolutely love these DIY choker necklaces! One of my favorites to date!
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