Glow Owl Necklace

• 2mm Nylon or Cotton cord in 2 colors
• Two 8mm beads (for the eyes)
• 45 small beads (E-beads work great)
• 1 shank style Button for clasp
• Project Board and pins
• Tape
• Glue

• Larks Head knot
• Alternating Square Knots
• Alternating Half Hitch
• Square Knot (SK) (+ mirror variation)
• Barrel Knot

Cutting and Mounting Cords

Color A:  Cut 6 strands, each 36 inches long

Color B:  Cut 4 strands, each 36 inches long
                 Cut 2 strands, each 4 yards long (For necklace chain)

Prepare the ends with tape, glue, or wax to prevent unraveling.  See Cord Preparation for tips.

Step 1:  Place the two 4-yard cords on your project board, and locate the center.  Secure them so they have some tension.  Fold 2 of the Color B strands and mount them to this double holding cord with Larks Head knots.  Place them in the center.

Step 2:  Mount 3 of the Color A cords in the same manner, so they rest to the right of the Color B cords.  Do the same with the remaining 3 Color A cords, placing them on the left of the ones in the center.

Step 3:  Mount 2 of the Color B strands, so there is one at each edge. When finished, the design should look like this:

1 Color B –- 3 Color A –- 2 Color B –- 3 Color A –- 1 Color B

Step 4:  Make sure the knots are close together, so the Glow Owl Necklace won’t be too wide.  Form a curved V shape with the knots and secure it to your board, similar to the image at the top of the page (top curve of head).

Creating the Head

Step 5:  Mentally number the strands 1 thru 20, moving left to right.  Add 16 small beads to cord 1, as well as cord 20.  Apply tape at the end of those strands to prevent the beads from sliding off.

Step 6: Make a chain of 7 Square Knots (left facing) with cords 1 thru 4.  There will be 2 fillers and 2 working cords for these knots. Push a bead up in between each SK.

Repeat this process using cords 17 thru 20. Be sure to use Mirror Square Knots (right facing).

Step 7:  To make the eyes, tie one SK with cords 5 thru 8.  Add one of the 7mm beads to the filler cords. Tie 2 SK just below the bead.

Repeat this process for the second eye, using cords 13 thru 16.  Tie Mirror SK instead.

Step 8:  To make the beak, tie a chain of 7 SK using cords 9 thru 12.

 Next, make a SK with cords 1 thru 6.  Cords 2 thru 5 are the fillers.  Tie a Mirror SK on the right, using cords 15 thru 20.  This will cause the head of the Glow Owl Necklace to curve.

Step 9:  Tie a SK with cords 7 thru 10.  Pull this knot close to the others.  Tie a Mirror SK with cords 11 thru 14.  This will cause the beak to push outward.

Designing the Body

Step 10: Tie a chain of 11 SK with cords 1 thru 4, and Mirror SK with cords 17 thru 20.  Push the small beads up so they rest between each knot.  This process is similar to step 6.

Step 11:  Make 12 rows of Alternating Square Knots with the remaining cords.  Make sure the knots are close together, and that you tie Mirror SK on the right.   The center knot can face either direction. End on a row containing only 2 knots. 

Step 12:  Use the 4 strands in the center of the design you just completed, and tie 1 SK.

Step 13: Bring all the cords together and make a tight SK. Use cords 1 and 20 to tie the knot and the rest as fillers.  Tie a second SK just below the first.

Step 14:  Trim the ends so they are even.  Apply beads to each strand, followed by a Barrel Knot.

Finishing Touches

Step 15:  Turn the Glow Owl Necklace around, so you have access to the long holding cords at the top of the design.  You will use these strands to make the necklace chain.  Using 2 cords, tie a chain of Alternating Half Hitches (or other technique). Stop when you have at least 6 to 8 inches of cord left, or the necklace is the size you want.

Repeat the process with the other 2 long cords.

Step 16:  To make the clasp, take the 2 strands from one chain and tie an Overhand knot.  It should rest close to the final Half Hitch.  Leave a space the size of the button you are using, and tie another Barrel Knot.  Apply glue, and cut off the excess when it is dry.