Lively, layered, and full of cultural flair—this four-strand Kantha necklace is a wearable celebration of recycled beauty. Each bead is individually wrapped in colorful upcycled fabric, creating a joyful cascade of texture and tone.
- Design: Four-strand layered necklace featuring assorted multicolor fabric beads.
- Material: Recycled Kantha fabric, wood beads, brass findings.
- Size: 18" with 3" extender.
- Country of origin: Handmade in India.
This necklace pays tribute to the Kantha quilting tradition of South Asia, reimagining textile remnants into modern statement jewelry. The carefully arranged strands create a full-bodied silhouette that adds instant personality to any outfit—from casual cotton to elegant linens.
Care & Disclaimer: Handmade from recycled textiles; each necklace will vary slightly in color and bead arrangement. Avoid moisture and store in a dry, clean place.
design: A four-strand necklace of round beads, each hand-wrapped in a scrap of colorful recycled kantha fabric, layered together on a brass chain with lobster clasp and extender.
size: 18" with 3" extender.
material: Recycled kantha cotton fabric over wood bead cores, with brass chain and findings.
features: Four-strand layered design, fabric-wrapped beads in mixed colors and patterns, adjustable 3" extender, lobster clasp closure
care: Keep away from moisture and perfume, and store flat in a dry, clean place to protect the fabric-wrapped beads.
disclaimer: Because each bead is wrapped by hand from reclaimed fabric, color placement and pattern will vary slightly from piece to piece.
The Story
Kantha is a running-stitch quilting tradition from the Bengal region of eastern India and Bangladesh, where layers of worn cotton saris and dhotis were stitched together into quilts and wraps, often embroidered with thread drawn from the saris' own borders. The technique turned cloth too worn for daily use into something durable, decorative, and worth keeping.
This necklace carries that same principle of reuse into jewelry. Offcuts and remnants of kantha cotton are cut into small pieces and wound around wood bead cores, so each bead holds a fragment of a larger textile's pattern - a stripe, a floral sprig, a curl of paisley - rather than a single uniform print.
Strung four strands deep, the necklace reads as a mosaic of these small fragments, keeping the patchwork logic of kantha visible even after the cloth has left the quilt behind.
In workshops in India, artisans sort scraps of used kantha and sari cotton by color, then cut and wind small pieces of fabric tightly around wooden bead cores by hand, securing each one so it holds its shape. The wrapped beads are sorted again by color before being strung in sequence onto brass chain to build up the necklace's four graduated strands - work that relies as much on a practiced eye for balancing color across the piece as on steady hands for the wrapping itself.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: India
- Craft Tradition: Kantha fabric-wrapped beadwork
- Ideal For: Anyone who loves color, texture, and jewelry made from reclaimed materials
- Wear It With: Let it be the focus over a solid-color top, linen dress, or simple neckline
- Purpose: Everyday statement wear, layering, gifting
- Metal: Brass
Questions & Answers
What is kantha fabric?
Kantha is a running-stitch textile tradition from the Bengal region of India and Bangladesh, traditionally made by layering and stitching worn cotton saris into quilts. This necklace repurposes kantha cotton remnants by wrapping them around wood beads.
Will my necklace look exactly like the photo?
Not exactly. Each bead is individually wrapped in a piece of recycled fabric, so the color mix and pattern placement on your necklace will be unique.
How long is the necklace?
It measures 18 inches with a 3-inch extender chain, so it can be worn at slightly different lengths.
What are the findings made of?
The chain, clasp, and connecting findings are brass.
How do I care for it?
Avoid moisture and perfume, remove before swimming or bathing, and store flat in a clean, dry place.
