Spud & Chloe by Blue Sky Fibers Swirl Necklace Knitting

Spud & Chloe by Blue Sky Fibers Swirl Necklace

What Is Being Made

The Swirl Necklace is a knitted accessory designed by Olga Buraya-Kefelian that features a distinctive pinwheel motif repeated five times along its length. This beginner-friendly necklace measures 10 inches in finished length and combines decorative textured elements with a wearable jewelry piece. The design offers styling versatility, allowing the knitter to choose between a draped look or a flat presentation depending on personal preference.

Knitting Techniques Used

This project employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners:

• Short-row shaping: The core technique used to create the pinwheel motif. Short rows involve knitting partway across a row, then turning the work before reaching the end, which creates the distinctive wedge shapes that form each pinwheel.
• Wrap and turn: A method used in short-row shaping where stitches are wrapped around the needle at turning points to prevent holes from forming in the fabric.
• Garter stitch: The primary stitch pattern worked in straight rows between pinwheel sections, created by knitting every row for a textured, reversible fabric.
• Binding off: The finishing technique used to secure all stitches at the end of the project.
• Weaving in ends: A finishing method to hide yarn tails for a polished appearance.

Stitches Used

The Swirl Necklace relies primarily on the knit stitch, the most fundamental stitch in knitting. The entire project is constructed using only knit stitches worked in various configurations. The garter stitch pattern—created by knitting every row—forms the base fabric, while the short-row technique with wrap-and-turn methods creates the dimensional pinwheel elements. This simplified stitch palette makes the project accessible to beginners while still producing an interesting visual and textural result.

Materials and Tools

The Swirl Necklace is knitted using Spud & Chloë Fine yarn in a single hank of 65 grams with 248 yards of yardage, providing ample length for the entire project. The yarn is worked on Size 0 (2mm) needles, or the appropriate needle size needed to achieve the correct gauge for the pattern.

Additional materials include a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and finishing, and optional row counter to track progress through the repetitive pattern sections. For closure and assembly, the necklace uses metal hardware including one trigger or lobster clasp, two metal rings, and two metal 17-19mm clamp crimps. Pliers are required to manipulate and close the metal components. A sewing needle and matching thread are needed if the knitter chooses to secure pinwheel edges or opts for an alternative closure using a knitted or crocheted loop with a button.

Construction and Pattern Structure

The necklace is constructed through a series of repeated pattern sections. The project involves working five complete pinwheels, each created by alternating right and left wedge sections. Each wedge is formed using 14 rows of short-row shaping with wrap-and-turn techniques, then repeated ten times to build the pinwheel structure. Between major pinwheel sections, the knitter works straight rows in garter stitch to create the connecting fabric. The entire piece consists of 149 total rows before binding off.

The pinwheel motif is created through the interplay of short rows that gradually reduce the number of active stitches, then expand again, forming the characteristic spiral or swirl shape. This technique creates visual interest and dimension while remaining within the skill level of a beginner knitter.

Finishing and Styling Options

Once the knitting is complete, the necklace requires careful finishing. After weaving in yarn ends, the piece is lightly steamed and dried flat to set the shape. The knitter then has design choices: the pinwheels can be arranged to drape naturally for a flowing appearance, or they can be sewn together at the top edges to lay flat against the body.

For closure, the pattern provides flexibility. The standard method involves using metal clamp crimps to secure the cast-on and bind-off edges, with metal rings and a trigger clasp completing the necklace fastening. Alternatively, knitters can create a more handmade aesthetic by knitting or crocheting a loop on one end and sewing a button to the opposite end for closure.