Washer Ribbon Necklace

Don't Buy DIY: Anni Albers Washer Ribbon Necklace

Posted by carlyjcais

About

I fell in love with this washer necklace, originally by artist Anni Albers. They sell the DIY necklace kit on Urban Outfitters for $14.

But I'm not paying $14 for a kit! I just put together the parts - one trip to Home Depot, and one trip to Michael's later, I was set. Figuring out how the ribbon was woven through took a few false starts, but here is the DIY anyway, just in case anyone's interested:

*I know it looks from the "materials needed" like we just bought a whole bunch of 1/2" washers, but for some reason the loose 1/2" dia washers actually ARE 1/2", whereas the loose, in the drawer "cutwashers1/2" are larger (like 7/8" if truth must be told). Not sure why. Anyway, those are what I used; choose whatever sizes you like!

Total cost of washers? $3.74.

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You Will Need (4 things)

  • 2 m of 5/8" double-sided Ribbon (I chose satin-the UO version is grosgrain. Whatever you like, just make sure both sides are the same! I also grabbed a 3 M remnant spool out of Michaels' $1 bucket near the cash registers.)
  • 4 Washer s(loose washers in the drawers below the washer/screw section)
  • 2 Washer s(they come in little orange plastic packs hanging on the wall at Home Depot, item#19861)
  • 7 Washer s1/2" (again, loose from the drawer below)*

Steps (3 steps, 40 minutes)

  1. 1

    Thread one of the smallest washers onto your length of ribbon, about 8" or so from one end. Follow lacing instructions below, adding washers on in this order:
    (S= small washer, M=medium washer, L=large washer)

    S-S-M-M-M-M-M-M-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-M-M-M-M-M-M-S-S

  2. 2

    Make sure you underlap the washers as you add each new one; the new one goes underneath the previous one. And they're single-sided (a shiny side, and a matter side), so make sure you're keeping the same side out for each one as you add it on!

    Leave 6-8" on the end once you're done , and tie the end of the ribbon. You can also treat the ends with Fray-Stop, or fold them over twice and stitch a narrow hem to encase the edges (neither of which I've done in the photo cuz I'm just too lazy). I think I'll just leave the ends tied - am not sure I like the bow I made. Anyhow.

    Project Cost: $4.74.

  3. 3

    The necklace (though heavy) sits beautifully on the body, almost like a flat snake. Very nice, Anni Albers!

    Happy DIY'ing!

    xoxox
    Carly