Nursing Necklace Crochet Pattern and Tutorial

This pattern makes several components that can be combined in many ways to make nursing or teething necklaces.  These are worn by an adult and give baby something to grab and play.  They help minimize distractions and can help reduce pinching or scratching.  They can also be used when you are not nursing to give your little one something safe to grab other than your glasses or hair.  I like to loop them onto the shopping cart handle to occupy my babe while grocery shopping.  Omit the necklace and you can use some of the components to make a small toy.

I like to use bright colorful yarn but you could make more muted colors to better suit your wardrobe.  Younger babies are attracted to the high contrast of black and white.

I used cotton yarn, you can use any medium weight yarn but remember your baby will likely chew on it so avoid fuzzy yarns and be sure the yarn is washable.  You can use a size G or similar sized crochet hook.  As with all baby items, wash before use, periodically inspect the necklace, and supervise baby at play.



Necklace
Ch 125 or as long as you would like.  Remember this will need to be long enough to slip easily over your head.  After you thread your component onto the necklace you will close it by holding the 2 ends together and tie an overhand knot.  You can also use a ribbon or cord.

Ring
Ch 5
Sc in 5th ch from hook to form a ring, sc in the next 4 ch, do not join, continue spiraling around putting 1 sc in each st.
It may be difficult at first but once the tube begins to grow it will become easier.
Continue sc around and around until the tube is as long as you like.
A 6.5" tube makes a 2.5" diameter ring
When your tube is as long as you like, finish off by sl st into the last st, fasten off leaving a tail.  Add mini rings if desired, then using the tail sew the tube into a ring.

Mini Ring
Ch 12
Sc in 12th ch from hook to form a ring, sc in next 11 ch, do not join, continue spiraling around putting 1 sc in each st.  Continue spiraling around until the mini ring is about 1/2 - 1 inch wide or as wide as you like.
Finish off by sl st into the last st, fasten off, weave in ends.

Tube Bead
Ch 7
Sc in in 7th ch from hook to make a ring, sc in next 6 ch, do not join, continue spiraling around putting 1 sc in each st.  Continue spiraling to make the tube is 1/2 -1 1/2 inch or as long as you want.
Finish by sl st in last st, fasten off, weave in ends.

Spiral Bead
(The spiral bead is worked with 2 colors attached at the same time, but working with one yarn at a time.)
With color A ch 7
Sc in the 7th ch from the hook to make a ring, sc in the next 3 ch, pull up a big loop of color A, do not fasten off.
Join on color B into the next ch, sc in the same ch and in the next 2 ch, do not join, continue spiraling around putting 1 sc in each st.  You will be able to work 2-3 sc with the color B, then drop that color, (pull up a long loop to prevent your stitches from being pulled out) and pick up the other color again.
Work 1 sc in each st until you come up behind the other color, then drop that yarn and pick up the other yarn and continue around.  Continue in this fashion until your bead is as long as you like.

Assembling
Bead and spiral bead are threaded onto the necklace.  Hold the ends of the necklace and tie an overhand knot to close the necklace.  Find the center of the necklace and insert the loop through the center of the ring, reach through the loop the necklace makes and pull the necklace through the loop. Tighten and adjust.

You may also be interested in:
Baby Teether Toys
Spiral Baby Mittens
Flower Band
Mini Woven Basket

This project was submitted to Hookin On Humpday at Moogly