Beaded Initial Necklace
Make your own statement with a Beaded Initial Necklace. Kids can design the first letter of their name, a friend’s name, or even a favorite word using pony beads and satin cord. This easy bead craft is a fun way to practice patterns, planning, and hand-eye coordination while creating something wearable.
Supplies
- Graph paper
- Markers
- 55 pony beads
- Two yards of satin cord
- Craft glue
- Scissors
Instructions
- Stiffen both ends of the satin cord with craft glue. Let dry completely. This will make the cord easier to thread through the beads.
- Use graph paper and markers to design your initial. A pattern that is six columns wide and nine rows tall will work for most letters. Use the printable pattern as a guide.
- Start at the bottom of your design. String six pony beads onto the cord and slide them to the middle.
- For the next row, string the beads onto the right-hand cord, following your pattern.
- Thread the left-hand cord back through the same row of beads in the opposite direction. Pull both cords gently until the row is snug.
- Continue adding rows in the same way until your initial is complete.
- String five extra beads onto each cord above the initial.
- Tie the cord ends together to make a necklace. Trim any extra cord.
Craft Tips
Try using two bead colors so the initial stands out clearly from the background.
Graph paper makes it easy to plan your design before you start beading.
For younger kids, an adult can help tighten each row so the letter keeps its shape.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on a pattern to open it in a new window to print.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
Turn this Beaded Initial Necklace into a classroom activity by having students design their own letter patterns on graph paper before they begin beading. This helps build early math skills through counting rows and columns, following patterns, and understanding symmetry.
Students can also write a short sentence about why they chose their colors or create necklaces for vocabulary words, name tags, or classroom buddies. This makes a simple bead craft into a fun literacy and math connection.
Supplies
Supplies:
Graph Paper
Markers
55 Pony Beads
Two Yards of Satin Cord
Craft Glue
Scissors
Instructions
Stiffen the ends of the cord with craft glue. Let dry.
Use graph paper to design your initial. Six columns and nine rows will work for most letters. Click on Printables to see how we did it.
Begin stringing at the bottom. String six pony beads to the middle of your cord.
For the second to bottom row, using your pattern as a guide string pony beads on the right hand cord.
String the left hand cord through the second row of beads in the opposite direction. Pull snug.
Continue until you have finished beading.
String five beads on each cord. Tie ends together. Trim.
Now you can be the first to make this fashion statement.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on a pattern to open it in a new window
Contributor
These projects are created by Terri, Betty, Jamie or one of the talented staff members at MakingFriends.com. They have been created exclusively for publication on FreeKidsCrafts.com with supplies you'll be able to find around your house.
