How to Braid a Leather Choker

A leather choker is a type of necklace that wraps snugly around the base of the neck. It creates such a striking look that many argue such a piece of jewelry is always in fashion. It's also easy to create because the design is so simple. If you like a necklace with more texture and contours than a standard ribbon or single corded necklace, a braided choker is a simple deviation from the standard design; even the most novice jewelry maker can make a braided choker.

Instructions

1

Grab three 15-inch pieces of leather cord and hold them together by one end, lining them up. Dip the three bunched together ends in a drop of jewelry glue.

2

Slide on a metal coil that is large enough to fit around all three cords. Tighten the coil with a pair of chain nose pliers. Place the mouth of the pliers over the metal coil that encircles all three cords. Squeeze the handles of the pliers to tighten.

3

Fold the far right cord over the middle cord, making it the new middle cord. Fold the far left cord over this new middle cord. Repeat this sequence, braiding your entire length of cords.

4

Hold the braided cords around your neck and determine how tight or loose you want the choker. Mark the spot with your fingers and trim the cords to that length with a pair of shears.

5

Dip the new, loose ends of the cords into some jewelry glue and slide on a metal coil. Tighten the coil with your pliers. You will have a coil on each end.

6

Pull out the last coil from each metal coil on the ends of the choker. Slide each loosened metal coil onto one of the loops of your chosen clasp. Tighten your loosened loops with your chain nose pliers by placing the tips of the pliers around the loosened loops and squeezing the handles of the pliers.