110. Oriental earrings

Orange Oriental Earrings

What is Being Made

The Orange Oriental Earrings are a pair of delicate crocheted jewelry pieces designed by Oksana Volytska. These earrings feature an ornamental Oriental aesthetic and are constructed by crocheting directly around oval metal jewelry bases, then finishing with jewelry hooks for wearability. The finished earrings measure approximately 1.8 by 1.37 inches each, making them a statement-sized accessory with intricate detailing.

Techniques Used

This crochet jewelry project employs fundamental crocheting techniques suitable for beginners. The primary method involves working stitches in the round directly onto an oval metal base, which serves as the structural foundation. The pattern incorporates chain spaces and skip stitches to create openwork sections that give the earrings their characteristic Oriental appearance. Picot details—small decorative loops formed by chaining and slipping back—add embellishment and visual interest to the finished pieces.

Stitches Used

• Chain (ch) – Creates the foundation and openwork spaces throughout the design
• Single Crochet (sc) – Used for the initial round around the oval base and for solid sections
• Double Crochet (dc) – Provides structure and height variation in the pattern
• Treble Crochet (tr) – Creates taller stitches for dimensional interest
• Slip Stitch (slst.) – Joins rounds and secures chain loops
• Picot – Three-chain picots add decorative detailing and texture

Materials and Tools

The Orange Oriental Earrings require a steel crochet hook size 1.6 mm (UK size 4, US size 7) for working with lace-weight yarn at a tight gauge. Two oval metal jewelry bases measuring 0.6 by 0.4 inches each form the core of each earring. The yarn is cotton—specifically YarnArt Violet yarn in orange color, available in 50-gram skeins with a yardage of 282 meters (approximately 308 yards per 1.76 ounces). Cotton yarn provides structure, durability, and a refined finish suitable for jewelry applications. Two jewelry hooks are required to complete the earrings for hanging from pierced ears.

Pattern Structure

The construction begins with Row 1, where 22 single crochet stitches are worked around the oval metal base. The pattern references a video tutorial for proper technique when crocheting around a base. Row 2 introduces the main design, alternating between double crochet and treble crochet stitches separated by chain-one spaces, creating a textured band. Additional rows incorporate chain spaces of varying lengths—including chains of 4, 6, and higher—with skip stitches and slip stitches to form the openwork sections characteristic of the Oriental style. Picots are strategically placed to enhance the decorative quality of the finished earrings.

Difficulty Level

Classified as a beginner project, the Orange Oriental Earrings use basic crochet stitches and straightforward techniques. The small scale and simple stitch combinations make this an ideal introduction to crocheted jewelry making, though familiarity with fundamental crochet skills—including chain, single crochet, double crochet, and slip stitch—is assumed.