Pearl Lariat Necklaces

No worries if your Girl Scout skills are rusty; the sliding knots behind these adjustable lariat necklaces are painless to ace.

Updated April 22, 2020

You can make two lariat styles with our sliding-knot techniques: one with two beads trailing down from the knot (left), and another with beads above and below it. The only challenge is deciding what pretty materials to pair. We combined suede and leather with pearl beads, but any cord and beads with wide openings will work. Make one for every mom in your inner circle, and you'll have Mother's Day all tied up.

What you need

Materials

How to do it

Step 1

For the style with two trailing beads, top left: Fold a 60-inch length of cord in half, leaving one end slightly longer than the other, and hold it at the bend. Tie a loose knot right below the bend, forming a loop.

Step 2

Thread the loose ends through the loop, and tighten the knot.

Step 3

Gently pull the doubled cord to adjust it and make it even. Slip beads onto the loose ends, and knot each below the bead. Trim the excess cord.

Step 4

For the style with one trailing bead: Knot a 40-inch length of cord at one end. Slip two beads onto the opposite end; slide one of them down to meet the knot, and leave the other one a few inches above it. Bend the cord in half. Grab the unknotted side about 5 inches from the end, and form a loop just below the top bead; pinch the loop in your fingers.