While I was playing with my beads...

So, was playing with my beading stuff anyway (the bookmarks), and decided to knock out a few stitch markers as well.  They are such a simple project to do, after all.  This is just a quick post highlighting a few that I made.

 

One of the most common souvenirs here in Hawaii (besides food stuffs) seems to be plumeria jewelry and hair pieces.  Lots of stores selling little silk or foam or clay flowers on necklaces, bracelets, paired clips, hair ties... you name it.  Some hibiscus pieces too, but mostly plumeria.  I took a bracelet and a set of earrings that I found on sale, and repurposed them into stitch markers.  With some headpins and silver beads from the stash, ta-da!  New stitch markers, Hawaii-themed!  The smaller flowers are from the bracelet, and the larger one is from one of the earrings. I haven't decided what I'll do with the flower from the other earring yet - a pendant for a casual necklace maybe?

 

 

And while I was making Hawaii-inspired stitch markers, I pulled out some flower beads I had, and made a set with rainbow-colored accents.  A bit more muted than the other set, but still all flowers and rainbows (yes, that stereotype of the islands is very accurate). 

 



A quick bookish project

So, playing with my beading supplies, and ways to use the odd bits of leftover ribbon I've got stashed, and found this idea online.  There are tons of variations, of course, as simple as it is.  Searching on Etsy provides multiple ideas, as well as searches on Pinterest or in the blogosphere.  Flamingo Toes, for example, is a crafting inspiration favorite of mine (and has more than one version, as you see), but there are tons of others too.  Everyday Beauty by Andrea Singarella , Adventures of a DIY Mom, A Creative Life by Debbie Saenz, Rings & Things, Shelterness, Country Living, Intimate Weddings... the list goes on.  Oh, not all those are instruction sites - some are just finished projects or photos of things available in their shops.  Still, as simple a project as this is, that's really enough.

The instructions can be found on several of those websites, or at least variations thereof.  A lot of the variation comes in the attachment of the beads to the ribbon - are beads on both ends of the ribbon?  Are they attached by crimp bead or by larkshead knot or sewn into a fold in the ribbon?  More personalization can be added by the ribbon and bead choices.  Fancier ones use velvet ribbons and sparkly beads or old jewelry findings.  I used what I had in my stash :)

  

So what did I do?

1. Start with a length of ribbon that is longer than the book(s) you would be using it with.  I just used the lengths I had left on some of these (I was stash-busting after all).
2. Add a ribbon clamp to each end.  Ribbon clamps can be found at jewelry or craft supply stores, or just big-box stores.  They come in different widths, usually corresponding to standard ribbon widths.  I think I got a multi-size pack from Wal-Mart, so it doesn't have to be fancy if you don't want it to be.
3. Add beads to the loop on the ribbon clamp.  These are just attached on head pins, like I attach dangles to my stitch markers.

And, ta-da!  All done and in use!

 

Row Counters - Part 2!

Part II!  Return of the Revenge of the Son of the Row Counter Post!  The Sequel!

Really, it's because I needed to break this into 2 posts, as it's so picture heavy.  :)  The other post this morning showcased the two easiest methods.  This post will start looking at more variations, and some of the styles that are a little more involved on the beading side.

On a chain:

Like it says, the beads are now chained :) For this and the variation in a ring (up next), it is up to you whether you want the rings numbered or not. I've seen some versions where the chain is just the jump rings and decorative beads, no numbers.  Other versions only had key numbers - 5 and 10, for example - with the rest being decorative beads.  I like seeing the numbers, being the visual person that I am, so my sample has the numbered beads.  With the rainbow colors, this kinda matches a set of stitch markers I have made (the first markers I made, actually!), which is another perk.

To make this style, it's like making 10 little stitch markers.  I used the 1 inch ring pins (not the head pins).  These are a little shorter than the pins I used with the plastic row counters, but the same shape.  Each pin was long enough for one colored bead and the number bead(s).  It's like making 10 little stitch markers, then linking them together.  To make them a chain, just open the ring on the end, and slide in the jump ring from the next numerical segment.  The biggest thing to look out for is that all the numbers are facing the same direction!  I used the ring pins for all 10 "mini markers" as I was calling them, including the one on the end, because then I could add a charm at the end, to give the chain a little weight.

To use this style, I have it hanging on the needle as a stitch marker.  As you move from row to row, you have to move the stitch markers from one needle to the other, right?  With this style row counter, each numbered link in the chain has a corresponding jump ring (the ring that made it a "mini marker").  As you move the counter from one needle to the next when you come to it, you slide the needle into the next link on the chain.  So, not in the #5 ring anymore, but #6.  I don't know if I'm explaining that incredibly clearly, but you can see it in use below, so maybe will help :)

 

Pros:  I like the visual of the numbers, as compared to the slider.  And the chain gives you a little more chance to play with some beading (i.e. it's pretty!).  It's also very easy to incorporate into the knitting project as another stitch marker. 

Cons:  The longer chain can be distracting as you get the knit piece started (once the piece is longer, though, it's easy to keep the chain from flopping about as I work).  Also, I wouldn't make this longer than 10 rows - too much longer would be VERY long and distracting.  Finally, if you have cats, be advised that the chain counter is rustle-y, shiny, and dangles, i.e., it is yet another part of your knitting which the cat will want to play with while sitting in your lap.  Scruffy had a whole new thing to learn "No, this is MY toy, not yours!"

Variation: Etsy had several of these where the chain had a detachable string of 10 beads, so that the beads could be used as a stand-alone 10 row counter, or used in conjunction with the chain to handle bigger charts. Muddy Paws Knit Knacks at Etsy is just one example. Very clever.

In a ring:

This is very similar to the chain-styled counter above, except that the 'mini markers' are looped on a larger ring.  The one I made is centered on a 12mm split ring (because I'm practical - it's what I had).  I've seen ones on Etsy and other shops that are on larger rings.  I guess it spreads out the numbers a little more, so better for visibility?  Haven't tried it out on a project yet...

You can see here the 'mini markers' I've been talking about (albeit, a little fuzzy - sorry, it looked clearer on the camera screen - really need to upgrade to a camera with a macro zoom!).  Each one is made with a small ring headpin with the decorative beads and the numbers, and looped onto a small jump ring (I used 9 mm, which fits up to US 8ish needles).  The No. 10 ring used a longer pin, because the extra digit took up a little more space. Then, you just open the ring on the end and attach the numbers to the larger center ring.  If you were making a chain row counter, you'd use the open end ring to attach the jump ring of the next number, remember?

Pros:  Again, actually being able to see the numbers is always a plus for me.  And, let's face it - it's pretty all spread out like a star burst like that :)

Cons:  It can be a little bulky as it hangs on the needle, but not too irritatingly so.  Rather a personal preference thing.  And even with the numbers in order on the ring, you have to look to make sure you're putting your needle into the correct number.

Variation:  Actually haven't seen variations on this one.  The biggest differences seem to be how big the center ring is and how decorative you want to be with the beads.

Up to 100 (well, 99) rows: for those really big charts you have to follow!

Inspired by the 99 Row Counters in PrettyKnittyJewelry's Etsy shop and using West End Design Knit's instructions as a starting point (particularly for the little marker rings), I've created something I'm relatively pleased with, for the next time I tackle a huge charted pattern. 

This is very similar to the concept of the chain marker.  For this particular style, though, you aren't making a chain, but a string.  It's easiest to use beading wire and crimp beads instead of the head pins.

Two strands of numbers hang down from the ring, one for the 10s and one for the 1s.  You move the small beaded rings up and down the lengths of numbers as you knit.  Reach 10 on the 1s strand, move the ring down one on the 10s strand.  And so on.

Pros:  It covers BIG charts.  Also, 2 strands = a chance for coordinated bead sets (hat and sweater, bunny and carrot, etc)... another "It's pretty" reason :)

Cons:  For handling large patterns, it's not as simple as the plastic counter above, but it does have a bit more "I did it myself" sort of pride, so I guess it balances out :)  Again, though, if you don't like long-and-dangling, this probably isn't one for you.  Also, making the little slider/marker thing takes a little practice.  Wire is a little easier to work with than elastic cord sometimes!

Variation: One Etsy shop (Crochata) didn't have her two stretches of beads hanging free. Her design had them looped on a small kilt pin. Very cute!

If you're feeling REALLY motivated, you could always try a row counters as a Bracelet, like the one I used above for inspiration. I didn't attempt this one. I just really don't change bracelets, usually just wear my running one, my one from Zach, and my watch. And having one specific bracelet for each project seemed counter-intuitive to my particular style of project organization (or lack thereof).  Really, it boils down to the fact that I need to keep the row counter with the project, not with me :) Still, I include it because there are some who prefer this style of row counter, and in addition, the directions here at Sutherland Studios were very clear for making the little elastic beaded marker rings.

A totally different style looks like a large Safety Pin, with beads that you move back and forth as you knit the row.  Cat Knits a Lot gives her directions.  It looks really pretty, and nice and simple, but I think I've found what works for me, and part of that is seeing the numbers!  But, it's another pretty idea, if you're looking for something different.

So after all this, what's my take?

I like seeing the numbers and I like a simple style that I can dress up.  Overall, my two favorite variations are shown below, hard at work :)  The one on the left counts the number of pattern repeats (in this case, cable twists), and the one on the right counts the row of the pattern I'm in.

DIY Knitting Toys - the Adventures continue!

Row Counters.

If you're unfamiliar with these, they are designed to help you keep track of where you are in the pattern when knitting, and where you left off when you put your project down and wandered off into the other room.  I'm usually good about noting my row when I put the project down at the end of the night, but if I'm just stepping away to get another cup of tea, for example, I'll admit I'm a little more forgetful.  Besides, it's always those "it'll be just a moment" moments that aren't just a moment!

These have worked their way into my Knitting Toys Queue because honestly, what's the point of having pretty jewelry on your knitting if your row counter is still boring and plastic or a post-it or whatever else.  And I'm really enjoying creating it for my knitting :) Must be my inner magpie coming out. Pretty shinies!

Even better, you can make sets of knitting jewelry, to match your stitch markers and your row counter! Whee - sets! Yes, I'm anal about this sort of thing; I love it when things match!

Searching through Etsy brought up tons of creative row counter ideas. I've been experimenting to see which I can re-create to my satisfaction, and what style I prefer using. Like always, if I've borrowed someone else's instructions as a starting point, I've referenced them as best I can. Otherwise, all directions and comments are the results of my own little fumblings, so enjoy!

The most basic - bead up a plastic counter!

You know, those ugly circular ones that are supposed to fit on your needles but never really do? Add some pretty shinies to make these more aesthetically pleasing, and in the process you're also adding a hook or a ring so that you can attach it as well.  The style on Etsy that I liked best had a ring on one end and a lobster claw clasp on the other. Meaning that you can use it either hanging from your needles or attached to the fabric itself (like in crochet). On mine (shown below) I have a larger ring on one end, and a lanyard clasp on the other, so I can clip it to a project or a needles or slide it onto the needle with a ring.

I inherited a handful of this style of row counter, and I like that they can count a large number of rows.  But... they are boring and ugly plastic, and I honestly have a hard time sometimes having these fit my needles, especially if the plastic is old and stiff.  So, between the ones I inherited and a pair I grabbed at Michael's when they were on clearance, I have a bunch to play with and see about different colors and styles I like.

You make these like the beaded stitch markers.  Instead of using head pins (like with the stitch markers), I like using the ones with the loop on the other end.  This gives me two ends to attach rings or clips to, giving me a little more freedom in how I want to use them. 

Something to think about with these, though:  The plastic row counters are big enough down the middle to fit over a needle.  This also means that they are bigger than smaller beads or seed beads.  These don't really fit against the opening, but slide through the center of the counter instead. 

To solve this, the easiest way I found to set it up on the pin: 

smallest bead, larger decorative bead, plastic counter, larger bead, smallest bead. 

This gives you enough on the end of the pin to wrap around the ring or the lanyard clip, as you would when making a stitch marker.  For the other end, open the loop at the end of the pin slightly using pliers, slide on the ring/clip, close the loop with the pliers again.  Ta-da!

And I have to say, I love the metallic beads I found (Wal-Mart!) and how well they match the purple row counter :)

Pros: Quick. Easy. Simple. Doesn't take up much space in the knitting bag or on the needles.  Those plastic counters typically count up to 100, so they are good for longer patterns or larger numbers of repeats.

Cons: Still have to deal with the ugly plastic marker (though they look much prettier all decorated - I really like my purple ones, because I found pretty beads to match!)

Variation: You can see one with just a ring on one end here at Something From Nothing.  Be sure to browse through her pictures, too, because her stitch markers are BEAUTIFUL!

Next: the Slider

Sarah brought this style to my attention, as I hadn't seen it before. One of her classmates at Stitches was using this type of marker, so Sarah decided to give it a try.

All you need for this one is a length of yarn (or string or ribbon), a ring (I used a small split ring), and a quantity of pony beads.  I used 10 pony beads, alternating colors with an accent color for #5 and #10.  If you want to make a longer counter, simply increase the number of beads on the yarn.

To make them, start with a doubled length of string/yarn/cord/ribbon attached to a ring in the middle.  A simple lark's head knot works perfectly.  Using both ends of the string, lace the first bead, passing the ends through the bead in opposite directions.   Leave yourself a little bit of slack in the string; you'll be moving the beads around on the string, after all.

Repeat your your next bead, crossing the threads back, again going in opposite directions.

Continue in this fashion until it's as long as you'd like.  I made mine 10 beads long, alternating colors.  Beads 5 and 10 are in a third color, to make them easier to see.

There's a pretty detailed set of instructions at Precision Teaching Hub and Wiki.  Those instructions are for knitting counters specifically, but just generic bead counters.  Doesn't matter though - the principles the same!

To use them, you slide the beads back and forth on the string.  It's kinda like a hanging mini-abacus.  Start with all the beads at the top (or bottom - your preference), then slide a bead to the bottom for each row knit.  When all 10 are at the bottom (or when your pattern repeat is complete, if it's shorter than 10 rows), move everything back to the top and start over.

Pros: Quick. Easy. Simple. Lightweight on your needles too.  And as you can see above, it doesn't take much in the way of supplies.

Cons: Personal preference, but I like seeing the number beads so that I can glance and see the row number. If that's not a problem for you, then this is a good style to consider.  Of course, you can make it a little fancier and use number beads and a finer string.  Seahorse Designs has some like that.  Lots of variations after all!

A variation I did find: Dhrmayarns on Etsy uses 2 different size jump rings at the top of the counter (the end you put the needle through). This is a nice little extra which means that you can fit your row counter on your needles a little better. Very clever!

Another Downton-related post!

And yes, this is the weakest of connections, but I still wanted to include it.  I had fun playing with some new knitting accessories recently, and since I used them for the first time on the Downton KAL, I feel that I can include it all together.  Besides, it's my blog.  I'll post what I want :)

First up, some new stitch markers.  One set of lobster claw ones (the watermelons) and one set of beaded drops (the purple and orange - surprisingly cute $1 beads from Wal-Mart!).  Nothing much more to say, really.  I just wanted to show them off  :)

 

The other new stitch markers are simple rings.  I found a bag of assorted colored jump rings at a big box-type craft store (Michael's or Hobby Lobby, can't remember which).  Too much fun to pass up.  So, using simple silver beads (most of them are spacer beads), I made a sizable number of simple larger stitch markers.  Just opened the rings and added the silver accent over the opening. They are light and pretty snagless, both very important when working with any knitting, but especially when using the larger needles that these fit.  You definitely want lightweight stitch markers on projects like that!  And c'mon - hot pink!

 

The last new accessory is a new knitting bag set.  These are clearance too, for a bonus. I got the idea during the yarn crawl back in October.  I noticed a lot of very cute small project bags, and started making mental notes.  I didn't want to pay $25 for a basic drawstring bag, after all.  One style that I noticed added a grommet hole to their bags, to pass the yarn through.  YarnPop is the brand I saw, but upon looking for their website, I also found other brands and etsy sellers who used the same idea.  You pass the yarn through the opening, so that the skein stays in the bag, nice and clean, while you work on the project outside of the bag.  Helps keep the yarn clean, the skein from unraveling like crazy all over the place, and other nice perks.  I really liked the idea, but as I mentioned, paying $20 and up for a drawstring bag with a grommet just seemed excessive.

I had leftover grommets from adding one to my wallet (where I clip my carabiner with my keys).  Those grommets come in large packs, lemme tell you!  I needed one for my wallet, but they come in packs of about a dozen!  So, I had plenty to experiment with in creating a project bag.  All I needed was the cute bag! 

I found the bag I liked at Old Navy.  A clearance lunch bag, as a matter of fact.  $2.50!  So much easier on the wallet than $25.  Yes, it is a Velcro closure, but it's easy to feed the yarn through so that the Velcro won't catch.  And as a special plus?  There was a pencil case in matching material!  Can we say notions pouch?

To make my lunch bag into a project pouch, I added two grommet holes near the top, between the Velcro squares. The yarn can be fed through very easily, and if the grommets are installed properly (follow the directions on the package!), then the holes are pretty snag-free.  When you load everything back into bag, the flap of the lunch bag protects the yarn coming from the grommet and passing back into the bag.  Ta-da -  everything stays nice and neat!

So, there you go! A very simple alternative to fancy-shmancy store-bought bags.  To summarize:

1. Find a bag you like.
2. Purchase a set of grommets (or use some from your craft stash).  You can find these at most big-box craft or sewing stores.
3. Mark where you want your yarn holes to be.  You don't want them too close to any Velcro or zippers on the bag, to cut down on any snagging.  Also, it's nice to have the yarn protected when you're not using it, there there are any flaps to take advantage of.
4. Cut the bag at the marks, if necessary, to start the hole.  You probably will, if there's much thickness to the material - the grommets just don't punch through thick materials.
5. Follow the directions to install the grommets.  Hammer, hard surface, etc.  Nothing too complicated.
6. Enjoy!

Another necklace post

Not Pinterest ideas this time, just from a flyer in Hobby Lobby, actually.  They've got all the colored chains and findings, like the mottled black chain I showed in a necklace last week.  This time, I was playing with some bright teal chain and some black and white chain as my focuses, and these are the necklaces I ended up with.  First, though, here's the inspiration flyer, if you've got a Hobby Lobby near you and are curious.

The first one is using the black and white chain. 

You can see the accent a little more clearly in this picture.  The small black beads are actually beaded headpins (the bead is part of the pin itself).  The red beads, both sizes, were all on a string from Wal-Mart's craft section.

The other one is based off one of the ones on the cover of the flyer.  I really liked the teal chain (and I've got cute flats that match!) and it just seems so much brighter with the black chain and accents than used on its own.  I added a third strand in the necklace, as I had the chain to use.  I don't wear bracelets enough to need to save it for a matching bracelet, so would rather use the chain here.

The black beads are flanked (for lack of a better term) by small teal beads I had in my stash.  The black beads, chain, pins and clasp were all in my stash too.

 

So, there you go.  Nothing crazy, extraordinary about either of them, other than that I think they're pretty and wanted to share :)

Oh How Pinteresting Wednesday: Some Necklaces

Another week, another Wednesday!

This week is a crafty post, showcasing a couple of necklaces using Pinterest pictures as inspiration.  Only one of the inspiration posts had instructions, mind you, so it's mostly just my takes on the original pieces.

First up, a button choker, from a post in Art Bead Scene.  The original post was about using buttons in one's jewelry projects, so check it out.  There are some fun ideas in there, beyond the Wild Horse Choker that was the inspiration for my necklace (the choker is named for the design on the button, a running horse, in case you're curious).  It's a very simple necklace, just a shank button with leather cording.  I found a large flower button that I liked at Hobby Lobby, so combined with some black leather lacing... Ta-da!   A nice neutral casual choker!

The hardest part was the knotting, so that it would slide enough to be adjustable but not slide out.  Just took a few tries to get the knot the right tension.  I also chose to omit the decorative bead at the knot.  No particular reason; I simply didn't have a bead that matched the brass/antique gold-ish button well enough :)  Sorry that the picture below is blurry...

The second piece is based on one in an etsy store, the Moving Waters Necklace by SC Designs Distinctive Artisian Jewelry.  The inspiration piece is all blues and pearls and sterling silver, while mine is more earth-tone jades and black.  Still, the basic idea of the one-sided beading and the beaded drop from a center ring carried through.  I like this one a lot, as those greens and neutrals coordinate with a lot in my closet :)

 

This is one of my mid-length necklaces, though the drop does make it a little longer.  Here it is being worn, so you have a sense of scale (Again, sorry it's a little blurry; I'm not great at the self-shots).

The last necklace has a pair of inspiration posts.  The first place I saw it was the simple News In Style post.  Yes, there are instructions there, but just the one pictures.  The second place I saw this style necklace was a post at Blue Cricket Design.  I used the instructions at Blue Cricket design a lot more, as they are more detailed and give a lot more helpful advice.  However, I didn't find usable chain at our hardware stores.  The style of chain they had was a different sort of link (or much heavier gauge), and just would not work for this project.  So, instead, I used a colored chain from Hobby Lobby.  The ribbon coordinates with flecks of color on the chain.  A very simple project, and I'm pretty please with the final results, as is Scruffy.

While I'm posting on necklaces...

Here are 3 of my own that I have put together recently.

This one is a collar-bone length necklace (17inches-ish) - I haven't measured exactly, but that's where it reaches on me.  The swirly tan and red beads were clearance finds from Goody Beads and the red beads just from Michael's (I think... or Hobby Lobby or Joann's - a big-box local craft store, at any rate).  I wanted just a simple piece here, so strung them on, and added a basic toggle clasp.  It looks really cute with a neutral outfit and my bright red flats - I love the little flashes of color!

 

This one started with a pendant I found at Wal-Mart, of all places.  I would have loved to have some green beads up in the necklace along with the pearl beads, but it's such an unusual shade of green in the lighthouse, it was hard to find any beads to match.  So, I just stuck with the basic brass and pearl.  I really like this pendant, as the lighthouse reminds me a little of the old lighthouse from where I grew up, though that one is brick, not white.  Similar shape though - enough to remind me a little of home!

Had to hunt a little for the brass bead caps.  Apparently, that particular size and metal is more unusual, one of those supplies that you just have to order online most of the time.  Lucked into some at Hobby Lobby, though, so saved me some S&H.  Everything else in the necklace came from my stash - the brass accent beads, the chain, and the two sizes of pearl beads.  I didn't worry about a clasp on this one, as it's a long necklace and fits over my head easily without one.

 

The last one in this post is another long one.  This one is inspired by one Anne put together when she visited last summer.  I liked it so much, that I made a similar one for myself!  The teal beads were ones left over from Anne's project, while the black beads were two sizes from the stash, as was the chain.  The pretty pendant was from Hobby Lobby.  I didn't worry about a clasp on this piece either, since it's another one long enough to just go over my head.  Nothing too unique about this one, just a basic necklace, but I do love those colors!

 

Oh So Pinteresting Wednesday - charm necklace

Another Wednesday, another Pinteresting project!

The project up this week is a necklace, inspired by one of my favorite blogs, Flamingo Toes.  Oh, how I love Flamingo Toes!  I'm particularly fond of her jewelry tutorials - check them out, as she has some gorgeous DIY Anthropolgie necklaces!   I swear, there are about a half-dozen necklaces on my Pinterest DIY Jewelry board that are from her site.  She does great tutorials for her work in general, not just the jewelry.  They're very thorough and lots of pictures, so I really don't have too much to add from the original post, just a few things I did to personalize my own necklace.

The necklace that I'm making a la her instructions is the DIY Cameo Collage Knock-off.  It's inspired by an Anthropologie item, the Cameo Collage necklace, which (like many of their items) is very cute, very fun, and very expensive.  So, here's my version, based on more affordable instructions.

 

What you'll need:

• Chain - this is one of the changes I made.  The original instructions called for 2 different lengths of 2 different styles of chain.  I wasn't as fond of that look, plus I had a longer length of a chain that I liked, so I used that instead (if you're curious, I think it was about 3 ft of chain)
• Assorted Charms – I used 24 but your number will vary depending on how full you’d like the necklace (this is another change I made - all my charms are silver, instead of an assortment of colors, metals, etc - just personal preference)
• Jump rings - enough for the clasp and all your charms
• Closure for necklace – any kind (I used a toggle clasp, as I like that sort of closure)

Lay out the chain.  This is one of the biggest changes I made to the original instructions.  Since I was working with one long length of chain instead of attaching a smaller length to a longer one, I altered the set-up of my necklace a little.  I measured out an approximately 8 inch length of my chain to serve as the 'short chain' from the original instructions.  It's only "approximately" 8 inches, because of the sizing of the decorative links in the chain.  I doubled over the chain, so that the 8 inches became the 'short chain' position in the original instructions.  At the 'fold' in the chain, I attached one half of my toggle clasp using a jump ring - you can see it in the next picture below (the larger loop off to the right of the chain).  Where the loose end of the 8 inch stretch met back up with the 'main' chain, I played around with positioning til the two lengths of the chain were spaced as I wanted them, then joined the end to the main chain with a jump ring.  The other half of the toggle clasp I attached to the 'far end' of the chain with a jump ring as well.

Lay out the charms.  It reeeeeeeeeally helps to lay out the charms before attaching them.  This is your chance to really personalize the necklace.  You have the chance to set up a good balance - big vs. small charms, for example, or arranging colors (if you have them), shapes, and textures as you like them.  I placed a larger focal charm at the center of each length of chain, and worked my charms outward from there.  I'd recommend that as a plan of action - a lot easier to balance the charms and the necklace from the center out than from one end to the next!  In the case of my necklace, the center charms are the squirrel on the lower loop and the compass rose on the upper length. I alternated small and large charms, and tried to match small to small charms on either side of the center, and large to large.  I was hoping both for visual balance, and to help reduce any sliding around on my neck from an unbalanced necklace.  I hate jewelry shifting around on me!

 

Once you have a placement of charms that you like, attach your charms to the chain.  Again, work from the center outward.  Flamingo Toes has good pointers on using jump rings back in the original instructions.  I learned some things too, so it's a good idea to read up!  

And ta-da!  Yes, this is a very easy necklace, and it's a lovely effect, too.  My favorite type of project!

I personally like wearing mine with a polo or button-up shirt.  The collar forces the necklace open a little wider, so that you can see more of the charms as they hang.  The necklace itself is a little bit heavier than some of the ones I've made, what with the bigger decorative chain and all the charms on it.  Not a big deal, but it does mean that it tends to draw toward the center and bunch up a little as it hangs around the neck.  A collared shirt counteracts this nicely.

To summarize:

• Not too many changes from the original instructions, really.
• All my charms were silver, not a mix of materials.
• I used one chain adjusted to form the two lengths, instead of two lengths of different chains.
• Going along with the change in chain set-up, my clasp is on the side (the "fold" in the chain) instead of at the back of the neck.

And if you want to know some of my charm highlights, we've got (in the left-hand picture): a ribbon (several causes close to my heart to remember), a tea pot (I love my tea!), my initial, a compass rose (for travel), the year I married, a paw print, a yarn ball (of course), and a dragonfly.  Below them are a Celtic tree, a squirrel (for W&M and for Mom), a shamrock and heart (lucky in love?), a pretty shiny, a woven textured charm, a sunflower, a cat, another pretty shiny, and a butterfly.  In the right-hand picture we have: a cat (yes, lots of cats), and then back to the ribbon, tea pot and so one.  Below, a star (just a pretty shiny), a matching pretty shiny to the other side, a frog, a ladybug, another cat, a matching clear charm, and then back to the Celtic tree.

Yes, there aren't any penguin or bunny charms on there yet.  But did you see - it's just "yet"?  One of the nice things about this project is the extra space I have to add additional charms as I find them :)  Always room for a little penguin or bunny or a particularly sentimental something!  And like charm bracelets, this is a great "travel" project - a beautiful way to display little souvenir charms, without making your wrist jingle like crazy!