Ocean Breeze Necklace

Ocean Breeze Necklace by Barley and Flax

What is Being Made

The Ocean Breeze Necklace is a crocheted fiber statement necklace designed for everyday wear. This beginner-friendly project features a soft cotton yarn chain in a beachy sand color that drapes around the neck, finished with a reclaimed wood button closure. The necklace measures 22 inches in total length with a 3-inch drop, creating a versatile accessory that combines comfort with contemporary style.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

This project employs fundamental crochet techniques suitable for beginners. The necklace begins with a foundation chain of 70 stitches, establishing the base structure. A slip stitch join creates a functional button loop in the 8th chain from the hook, which serves as the closure mechanism for the reclaimed wood button. The construction progresses through multiple rows using varied stitch heights to create visual texture and dimension.

The stitch pattern demonstrates how different crochet stitches can be combined in a single row to build interest. The center section features triple crochet stitches, including a cluster of three triple crochets worked into a single stitch, which creates a subtle decorative element at the necklace's focal point. This variation in stitch height—from single crochet to triple crochet—adds depth and prevents the necklace from lying flat.

Stitches Used

• Chain (CH): Forms the foundation row and structural base of the necklace
• Slip Stitch (SL ST): Used to join rounds and create the button loop attachment
• Single Crochet (SC): The shortest stitch, used extensively throughout the piece for structure and definition
• Half Double Crochet (HDC): A medium-height stitch used to transition between single crochet and taller stitches
• Double Crochet (DC): A taller stitch that adds drape and creates visual variation
• Triple Crochet (TR): The tallest stitch used in this pattern, creating the most pronounced texture at the necklace's center point

Materials and Tools

The Ocean Breeze Necklace requires minimal materials, making it an economical project. The yarn is a worsted weight, medium/4 yarn in a cotton blend—specifically Lily Sugar 'n Cream® yarn—requiring only 20 yards to complete the project. Cotton yarn is ideal for this design as it creates a soft, breathable fiber suitable for jewelry worn close to the skin, while the beachy sand color contributes to the necklace's coastal aesthetic.

A size 8-H/5mm crochet hook is used throughout the project. This hook size is standard for worsted weight yarn and allows for comfortable, controlled stitching appropriate for beginners. A wool needle completes the tool kit, used for weaving in yarn ends and finishing the piece. The project also incorporates a 1/2-inch reclaimed wood button as the closure element, though the pattern notes that any button of similar size can be substituted based on personal preference.

Project Specifications

Gauge is not critical for this necklace design, making it forgiving for beginners who may not yet have consistent tension. The finished necklace measures 22 inches in circumference with a 3-inch drop, sizing it to fit most neck measurements comfortably. This is a free, downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Barley and Flax, making it accessible for crafters of all budgets.