DIY: Finger Knitting Technique – and a Sparkly Necklace

I remember finger knitting as a kid… and how cathartic it was.  It’s one of those things you can just do from the couch.  No tools or materials necessary; just your hand and a ball of yarn.  I was playing around with some sparkly yarn and decided to try finger knitting with it.  I love how the results turned out..  it almost looks like chain.  Add a bit of chain and/or rhinestone trim, and you’ve got a beautiful new necklace.  I might add that these will transition quite well into Fall… adding texture to any look and pairing quite well with other knit pieces.  I recommend making a few – they look great layered!

 I’m also wearing my BaubleBar Monogram and a Madewell Tee.

 Materials:  Sparkly Yarn (I used Lion Brand Bonbons) // Silver Plated Chain // Rhinestone Trim // Clasp // Two Jump Rings // Pliers

steps1-4 steps5-8

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

55 Comments

  1. Julie & Lauren:

    Saw all this fun inspiration on instagram. Love the final look, Grace!! XO

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      aw, thanks ladies! xox

      7.30.12 Reply
  2. Alyson:

    so pretty! I’ve never done this before. Adore how you added a little chain with it to glam it up a bit. 

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thanks! You should give it a try. So easy, I swear.

      7.30.12 Reply
  3. Courtney Pearce:

    This is such a great and easy DIY! I need to try this, even for the therapeutic properties of knitting!

    http://thelittletexan.blogspot.com/

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thanks Courtney! Exactly… it is so therapeutic! xx

      7.30.12 Reply
  4. Taylor Curlyinthecity:

    I used to knit yards and yards of this! I think every suitcase in my whole family had about a foot of this tied too it all through the years! I used to lvoe using the yard that would change color – dorky i know! 

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Haha that is adorable! It is so relaxing.

      7.30.12 Reply
  5. Audrey Allure:

    That looks so cute — loving the touch of pink & your nail color!

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thank you, Audrey! xo

      7.30.12 Reply
  6. Meghan Donovan:

    such a crafty lady! loved seeing these in person on saturday 🙂 XO

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Aw, thanks lady. Loved seeing your pretty face on Saturday!!

      7.30.12 Reply
  7. Thenowstylebook:

    How do you know all of this?!? You are my jewelry DIY yoda! Xoxo

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Aw, you are just too kind! So glad you liked the project.

      7.30.12 Reply
  8. christin schindewolf:

    I think I could make this one…

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      I think so too. Or AJ could…

      7.30.12 Reply
  9. Alexa C Evans:

    Beautiful Grace and I love those colors that you chose! 

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thanks, Alexa!

      7.30.12 Reply
  10. Bianca Strzelczyk:

    This is so cool! I’m definitely going to be trying — looks easy (and relaxing!)

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      So relaxing, Bianca! I really hope you give the project a go! xx

      7.30.12 Reply
  11. Nnenna:

    I love the way these look, especially layered! What a great DIY! 🙂

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Hi Nnenna, thank you so much!  I’m so happy that you like the project… hope you give it a try!  On my nails is CND Shellac in Tropicx!

      7.30.12 Reply
  12. Bettina:

    Omg, I totally remember finger knitting! You’re so creative with all these DIYs, I don’t believe I’ve seen this pastime brought back anywhere else!

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thanks Bettina… I try! 😉

      7.30.12 Reply
  13. Sophie:

    Where did you get your lovely silver necklace? I love the style of the writing in the pendant! Is it one of those you order to have personalised with your name?

    Great DIY idea as well by the way!

    Sophie xo

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      It’s from BaubleBar, Sophie!  I actually link to it just below the photo.  So glad you like it. xx

      7.30.12 Reply
  14. Carly | a simple affair:

    Cannot believe I forgot about finger knitting.  Never in a million years would have thought to use it for a necklace. So smart and creative! Love them layered. Can’t wait to see the navy + pink on you!

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thanks Carly!! xx

      7.30.12 Reply
  15. Erin @ Thanks, I Made It:

    Nice work Grace! Love seeing the classic craft technnique with a little glitz.

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thanks Erin! xox

      7.30.12 Reply
  16. Clare:

    Cute and love your baublebar necklace! Can’t wait to give these a go!

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thanks Clare, please send me a pic if you do it – would love to see! xx

      7.30.12 Reply
  17. Kkracky:

    Love this! I have some hand spun yarn that would be perfect for this.

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Yay – I hope you give it a try!!

      7.30.12 Reply
  18. Allyson Fulcher:

    Love that shirt and the necklace!

    http://www.mimosasnthemorning.com

    7.30.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thanks so much, Allyson!

      7.30.12 Reply
  19. tanya_caines:

    Never heard of finger knitting! It looks so cool! Book marked this page to try it myself 😀

    7.31.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thanks Tanya! If you give it a try, be sure to send me a pic! xx

      7.31.12 Reply
  20. Nicole Levine:

    sweet jesus you are crafty! This looks like so much fun! xo

    7.31.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Aw, you are too kind. It’s really easy. You should give it a try! xx

      7.31.12 Reply
  21. MzHannah:

    Would love to try this! I looked up finger knitting just a few weeks ago and wanted to do something cool with it. This is cool

    7.31.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Aw, I’m so glad you like it! Definitely give the project a try. 🙂

      7.31.12 Reply
  22. Thorunn:

    I used to do this finger knitting technique ALL the time when I was a kid. its very relaxing!! learned it at summer camp 🙂

    8.2.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Aw, so fun. I didn’t go to camp but did it a lot as a kid too. Definitely very relaxing!!

      8.5.12 Reply
  23. mlg12geg:

    Looks like fun.

    9.8.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      thanks, it is – so relaxing!

      9.16.12 Reply
  24. z.ky:

    I can’t see steps 1 – 8 – would you be able to post those too? Thank you! I can’t wait to try it!

    2.16.13 Reply
    • Grace Atwood:

      Hi there! So sorry – not sure what happened… just fixed the images!

      7.7.13 Reply
  25. Sacia:

    Love it!!! I do this with my handspun yarn!

    9.12.13 Reply
  26. Patty Simkins:

    I had a good time making this stuff & making necklaces & earrings out of it & so did the kids., so how do I top this for the next time.?

    5.10.15 Reply
  27. Renee:

    Love it!

    1.16.17 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thanks!!

      1.17.17 Reply
  28. melanie goins:

    Excellent! They also sell a small weave tool to do this. I used colored string, contrasting e beads on every other row and finished off with a nice toggle closure.

    1. String numerous beads in advance.

    2. Weave in and out of the pegs for two rounds.

    3. Slip the e beads on every other complete round.

    4. Finish off with a pretty toggle which you will knot into place.

    5. The necklace can be as long or as short as desired.

    8.2.18 Reply
    • melanie goins:

      P.S.: I used color combinations like brown string and turquoise beads; black string with a silver streak and silver beads; silver string with black and grey beads.

      You can use a color combination of beads from the start. Just alternate your beads when putting them on the string, then add a bead every other row. My tool looked like this and I used the larger end. See link below.

      8.2.18 Reply