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You can experiment with the number of beads and the gap between them — you can easily undo the crocheting and begin again, but always thread on more beads than you think you’ll need, because that is the one thing you can’t add if your lariat comes up short.

Materials
3 or 4ply knitting cotton or 0.5mm rat tail stringing thread amount depends on desired lariat length)
Beads — mixed sizes and finishes in the colour scheme of your choice (the number depends on how close you want the beads to each other and how long you want your lariat to be.
3.50 crochet hook
superglue

Instructions
1. Apply superglue to the first 2cm of the cotton (this forms a ‘needle’ to help you easily thread your beads — be very careful to not get the glue on your fingers. Let the thread dry thoroughly.

2. Thread beads on your thread in the pattern that you desire, being generous with the number of beads — you can always finish your lariat with beads left over, but if you don’t have enough, you’ll have to begin again from this step.

3. Taking your hook and thread and leaving several centimetres from the superglued end, make a slip knot.

4. Pull down the first bead and incorporate it into a single chain. Make four chain and then draw up the next bead and incorporate it into the next chain. Continue in this manner until the lariat reaches the deisred length or you run out of beads.

To finish off, thread the beginning thread back through the first bead and trim flush with where it emerges. At the other end, once you’ve crocheted in your last bead, draw the thread through and pull tight and cut a few centimetres from the bead. Then apply superglue to last centimetre, dry thoroughly and, as was done with the other end of the lariat, thread the tail back through the last bead and trim flush with where it emerges. Dab a small amount of superglue on each knot — a toothpick is good for applying this.

The lariat is very versatile and can be worn singularly or doubled and looped through itself (as in the pic below) for a shorter necklace.

You can also wear a number of complimentary lariats together (different coloured thread and/or different coloured beads) — if you plan to do this, staggering the ends instead on lining them up can be very effective. For a more glam version of this lariat, you could use glittery thread.