Ready to make some fun holiday gifts? Clove necklaces are creative, easy to make and unique. Clove necklaces impart a delightful smell when worn! There are many ways to string them up on a necklace and they will last for years if you treat them well. Over time the ‘ball’ which is actually the flower petals will fall off the stem so keep that in mind when designing your necklace.
*Whole cloves (buy in bulk at your local health food store or see resources for online sources)
*Bamboo or silk thread (thicker than normal thread, look for this in the yarn section of your craft store, most likely near the knitting needles and crochet hooks)
*Needle
*Clasp or button
*Saucepan
*Water
*Strainer
*Optional additions: beads, stones, shells that can be strung
Begin by putting your cloves into a saucepan and add enough water to cover. Carefully heat on the stove at a low simmer for about 3-5 minutes. Test one for softness, you may need to simmer them longer.
While your cloves are softening, decide on the design you’d like to make. Here are a few ways you can string up the cloves.
Single strand:
Double strand (these require you to string the cloves twice to keep them straight. Notice the location of the thread):
Once the Cloves have softened in the simmering water, place the strainer in the sink and pour the Cloves and water into the strainer. Be careful, the water will be hot and steam will rise up!
Decide how long you want your necklace. Add about 4” on to the length for tying your clasps. Begin stringing your Cloves and beads if you are using them in the order you’ve decided. It may help to arrange them on a table top before stringing in the pattern you would like them. When you begin stringing the Cloves, leave a 2” tail of thread on the end. It might be helpful to tie a large knot about 2” up the string to remind you to stop. If you are using a button, you can tie the button onto the end before you begin.
If you are doing a double row you will put your needle further down on the stem for the first row. You will also need to cut 2 pieces of thread the same length. After you have completed the first row, repeat with the second row on the opposite end of the Clove.
Once you have your Cloves strung, you can keep the two threads together by knotting sections to the end of each side.
Tie your clasps onto the ends of the thread, measuring where you would like the necklace to hang. You might need a helper to get the placement and measurements just right. If using a button, create a loop that will go over the button snugly on the end.
Want to learn some more great things you can do with Clove and how to use Clove for medicine? Check out the Clove ebook.