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How to Make a Necklace out of Laddered Stockings and Tights.

How to Make a Necklace out of Laddered Stockings and Tights.
Carly Jacobs

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

60 Comments

  1. Nadine 16 years ago

    Wow das ist wirklich cool!

  2. Lady Smaggle 16 years ago

    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!

  3. Lady Smaggle 16 years ago

    Ivy – It’s just Mr Smaggle’s photography that makes it look so designer! 🙂

  4. The Clothes Horse 16 years ago

    Wow! Fantastic necklace and such clever re-use of old items.

  5. Marianne 16 years ago

    That looks amazing!

  6. Grant 16 years ago

    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. 😀

  7. Fifi 16 years ago

    umm, could you be a little bit more fabulous, please? that’s just not *quite* awesome enough, in my opinion. kthanksboi.

  8. FlissQ 16 years ago

    you are pure genius miss smaggle – that looks awesome you clever, clever and thrifty smagglie smaggle you! xx

  9. princessnaea 16 years ago

    I’ll have one too, thanks.

  10. Anairam Traws 16 years ago

    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!

  11. Kate 16 years ago

    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!

  12. deirdre 16 years ago

    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..

  13. Ivy 16 years ago

    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!

  14. susie_bubble 16 years ago

    That is incredibly awesome…can I commission you?!

  15. Lady Smaggle 16 years ago

    Susie_Bubble – Of course! I’d be delighted to send you one. Email if you’re keen lady@smagglestyle.com

    Deirdre – Email is above! 🙂

  16. Lady Smaggle 16 years ago

    Katie – Why thank you!

  17. Katie 16 years ago

    gorgeous! so creative and original! <3

  18. lady coveted 16 years ago

    that is just awesome…

  19. cherie 16 years ago

    Your method of explanation is excellent! The drawings are super. I look forward to more d.y.i for you.

  20. cherie 16 years ago

    Your method of explanation is excellent! The drawings are super. I look forward to more d.y.i from you.

  21. Lady Smaggle 16 years ago

    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.

  22. claire-elizabeth 16 years ago

    this is such an awesome idea! I never know what to do with my tights when they ladder – plan!

  23. Spandexpony 16 years ago

    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!

  24. yulanda 16 years ago

    This necklace is perfection! I’ll have to try it sometime, but I doubt it’ll look anywhere as nice as yours!

  25. Madame O 16 years ago

    Great looking necklace—I’m hooked—Keep up the DIY.

  26. charlotte 16 years ago

    Gosh ..Would you “Kill” a pair of Black opaque Tights [60 /120 denier] to make those..?

  27. danielle 16 years ago

    kick ass!!!

  28. Rosie 16 years ago

    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!

  29. ashley 16 years ago

    I absolutely love it. Will be sure to make one. 🙂 Thanks for sharing the idea!!!

  30. Holly 16 years ago

    Such a great idea! That’s so cute, I would love to have seen a photo of it being worn also.

  31. Isabelle 15 years ago

    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

  32. marian 15 years ago

    this is super duper clever honey.well done! will try it out
    kisses
    marian

  33. Katy 15 years ago

    I love this, fabric has been on my mind lately as an inspiration for jewelry.

  34. Cristina 15 years ago

    What a brilliant idea! I am also obsessed with tights and when they get ripped, I just can’t through them away, especially the fancy ones. So they just cluter my drawers. Now I’ve got an excellent future for them, finally…

  35. craftYARD 15 years ago

    i love this! really i do!

    excellent description on the how-to as well!

    xoxo, craftYARD

  36. Rachel 15 years ago

    This is BEYOND cool. I’m so excited to try this!!! I’ll be linking as well.

  37. Caley 15 years ago

    Love the idea but I was also really struck by your drawings! These make everything clear. Thanks for sharing Lady Smaggle!

  38. Charleigh 15 years ago

    I LOVE THIS!!!
    I HAVE to make one! 😀

  39. Elena 15 years ago

    This necklace is stunning!

  40. Britleigh24 13 years ago

    Love this! Planning on making this tonight. Thanks for the idea!

  41. Thommi 13 years ago

    I like this idea – a great one.

  42. Carmentzong7 12 years ago

    im so in love with it!!!  wil definitely make one, thanks for sharing

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