How to Make a Necklace out of Laddered Stockings and Tights.
Like any gal who lives in sub-zero temperatures I have a rather extensive collection of tights. Consequently I also throw many of them away when they get holes and ladders in them. I have zero patience which makes me rip them on too fast. This, coupled with a nasty habit of crawling around on the floor make my poor tights rarely last longer than a season. I was so upset when my yellow tights bit the dust recently and I decided it was far too soon for our relationship to end. So I shredded them to pieces and made a necklace out of them. I’m a heartless wench.
I just cut the legs off the body of the tights and cut the toes off.
Then I cut each leg open and cut them into strips, roughly 1cm wide.
Then I tied each end to an earring finding making sure that each layer was longer than the last. This sometimes meant tying two lengths together and trying it on to check that it was falling correctly.
Then I tied shorter pieces of stocking at irregular intervals along my strands. I also bought a DIY stud kit and put studs all along the strands and ties. I sewed a few silver charms on it too.
Then I added a clasp and chain so I could wear it at different lengths. If you’re going to make this yourself I suggest that you wear it often through out the process of making it so you can gauge the shape and length of it. The total cost of the piece was $1.50. The tights, earring findings and chain were all junk that was lying around my house and the stud kit cost $1.50 from a discount store. Even if I had to buy the findings and chain it wouldn’t have cost more than a couple of dollars.
This is the first D.I.Y post for Smaggle so if you have any questions just comment!
Love Lady Smaggle
xxx
Wow das ist wirklich cool!
Wow! Fantastic necklace and such clever re-use of old items.
That looks amazing!
Heartless? Perhaps. Exceptionally clever? Most definately! When will we get to see this fantastic piece? I can’t wait to see what you’ll team it with.
umm, could you be a little bit more fabulous, please? that’s just not *quite* awesome enough, in my opinion. kthanksboi.
you are pure genius miss smaggle - that looks awesome you clever, clever and thrifty smagglie smaggle you! xx
I’ll have one too, thanks.
Oh Lady Smaggle - I love your necklace! I have many pairs of old black tights which I cut up horizontally and use as hair bands around a ponytail - covering the whole ponytail if you know what I mean. I have also made a mean pair of Oliver Twist gloves out of a pair of black woollen tights, But your necklace rules!
This. Has. Rocked. My. Pantyhose.
Talk about turning my world upside down! I’m cursing the fact I just threw out a perfectly serviceable holey pair… Tempted to make holes in perfectly serviceable non-holey pair. Thanks for sharing (and documenting so nicely) such a brilliant idea!
Nadine - Ha ha thanks! Does mean really cool?
The Clothes Horse - I just hate waste! Actually it probably has more to do with me being really tight than wanting to save the planet!
Marianne - Thanks. It held up pretty well through out the night as well.
Grant - I wore it on Saturday night but I didn’t take a photo because it was too dark. I’ll wear it daylight soon I promise!
Fifi - Look I’ll work on it…
FlissQ - Thanks Flissa!
Na - Maybe next birthday? Or when we have holidays I’ll make one with you?
Anairam - Oh cool that sounds awesome! Do you have a link of a photo?
Kate - No worries love! When you ladder your next pair send me a pic if you make a necklace!
Holy shit, when I saw the first two pics I thought you were going to say it’s a designer necklace or something, but no! You made it!! You’re a genius. I love it soooo much! Make an Etsy stooooore!
Ivy - It’s just Mr Smaggle’s photography that makes it look so designer!
That is incredibly awesome…can I commission you?!
LOVE your site! Can you send me your email address? I want to talk to you about a project.. PS ripping up some old legging now..
Susie_Bubble - Of course! I’d be delighted to send you one. Email if you’re keen lady@smagglestyle.com
Deirdre - Email is above!
gorgeous! so creative and original! <3
Katie - Why thank you!
that is just awesome…
Your method of explanation is excellent! The drawings are super. I look forward to more d.y.i for you.
Your method of explanation is excellent! The drawings are super. I look forward to more d.y.i from you.
this is such an awesome idea! I never know what to do with my tights when they ladder - plan!
Lady Coveted - Hee thanks!
Cherie - I’m working on it! I’m thinking shoe clips may be next…
Claire-Elizabeth - I know that’s why it came about. Too many pairs of useless old tights.
Wow this is really great! I think I may want to give a pantyhose necklace a try— I might do nude or navy though! — or maybe “suntan”… ha!
This necklace is perfection! I’ll have to try it sometime, but I doubt it’ll look anywhere as nice as yours!
Great looking necklace—I’m hooked—Keep up the DIY.
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kick ass!!!
this is an amazing concept, i am actually amazed that it never crossed my own mind before as i, like yourself, ladder tights all the time, and it frustrates me so much to have to throw them out! i am almost looking forward to laddering my first pair this autumn in order that i can give this a go. once again, amazing, thank you!
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I absolutely love it. Will be sure to make one.
Thanks for sharing the idea!!!
Such a great idea! That’s so cute, I would love to have seen a photo of it being worn also.
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The idea is so clever. I’ve done one myself…add something different to it but the result looks good. Thanks for the idea.
Would you give your email so I can show you mine
cheers!!
Isa
this is super duper clever honey.well done! will try it out
kisses
marian