Jewellery making isn’t just for metalworkers and beaders. Crochet, tatting, and knitting can all create stunning wearable pieces that are lightweight, comfortable, and completely unique. Better yet, you can make them with patterns, thread, hooks, shuttles, and needles stocked at Crochet Australia!
What You Can Make
With crochet, the possibilities are far and wide. Delicate collar necklaces worked in fine thread make elegant statement pieces for special occasions. Chunky cuff bracelets in bold colours add personality to casual outfits. Hoop earrings covered with crochet become conversation starters. Broaches made from flowers, hearts or creatures can surprise. You can even crochet bezels to hold gemstones, creating pendants that look professionally crafted.
Tatting creates some of the most delicate jewellery imaginable. Intricate tatted snowflakes and flower motifs translate beautifully into earrings and pendants. The lacy, open structure of tatted work catches light in ways that solid jewellery can’t, and when combined with beads or metalwork, the results are truly stunning.
Knitting jewellery might seem unusual, but fine-gauge knitting produces charming results. I-cord makes excellent bracelet bases, while tiny knitted flowers or leaves can be stiffened into brooches. You can even knit miniature charm accessories that are perfect conversation starters that celebrate your craft.
The key across all three crafts is working with thread rather than yarn. Thread creates the fine, structured fabric needed for jewellery that holds its shape and doesn’t stretch out with wear.
Choosing Your Thread
We stock a range of threads perfect for jewellery making. DMC Coton Perle (available in sizes 5, 8, and 12) is a top choice; it has a beautiful sheen and comes in countless colours. Sizes 8 and 12 work well for delicate pieces, while size 5 creates bolder statement jewellery.
For fine, lacy work, try Maxi #10 Cotton Thread, Daphne #20 Crochet Cotton, DMC Cebeli, Cordonnet, or Babylo Cotton or the Lizbeth threads (sizes 10, 20, 40 and 80). These create detailed patterns perfect for earrings and pendants. Our new Scheepjes Sugar Rush Cotton offer vibrant colour ranges for contemporary designs. Or add some sparkle, with the Lizbeth Metallic Thread in sizes 20 or 40. These catch the light beautifully.
Understanding Findings
Here’s where your fibre work transforms into actual jewellery. “Findings” are the metal components that make pieces functional and wearable. You’ll need ear wires (the hooks that go through pierced ears), jump rings (small metal circles that connect components together), and clasps (usually lobster claw style) for necklaces and bracelets. Chains can also be added to extend necklaces or become part of the design.
To use findings, you’ll need two types of pliers: round-nose pliers for opening and closing jump rings and flat-nose pliers for gripping. Most findings come in silver, gold, or bronze tones – choose what suits your thread colours and personal style.
Adding Beads
Beads elevate fibre jewellery from handmade to handcrafted. Glass beads add weight and sparkle, wooden beads bring organic warmth, and seed beads can be worked into almost every stitch for texture. And there are many different ways to work with beads – you can pre-string them, add them to your work as you go, or sew them on at a later date!
So grab your hook, shuttle, or needles and discover how thread, findings, and a bit of creativity can fill your jewellery box with pieces no one else will ever own!
Or crochet up a speedy braided bracelet with this decorative cord technique by June Gilbank from PlanetJune
