The Majority Crochet Collar

This collar is made in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the second woman to ever be in the Supreme Court. She fought for women’s rights and one of the awesome ways she did this was wearing collars to include a “bit of femininity” in the court, which had been all male for too long. I really love how she didn’t hide her femininity but emphasized it, and she did this through crocheted collars. That’s just awesome. 

I saw a lot of takes on the traditional white collar. When I read more about her collars, I learned about the one she wears when she agrees with the ruling the Court issues. It’s very blingy and has a gold chain at the top. Since I haven’t seen anybody crochet this one, I gave it a go myself. Here is the result. 

I don’t agree with all the violence and racism in this country right now. But I do agree with the people fighting to change it. And I think that’s important to hold onto.

Materials

E (3.50 MM) crochet hook

Gold DK yarn

Mauve (light pinkish purple) DK yarn

(I used worsted weight yarn, but it turned out very stiff and it would be much better with DK.)

Optional: Fake gold chain with links big enough to stick your crochet hook through. I will include directions on how to make this collar without the actual chain. Mine had 45 links in it, so that’s how I will be writing the directions for using the chain.

Collar Directions

Foundation

Begin with gold yarn.

If you are using the chain:

Join your yarn to the end of the chain with a slip stitch. Ch 1.

*2 sc, ch 1* in each chain link, omitting the last ch 1 at the end.

You have 90 sc.

If you don’t have a chain, you can make one by doing this:

Ch 3, dc in 3rd ch from hook.

*Ch 2, dc around post of previous dc.* 

Repeat from * to * until you have 45 of these “chain links.” Ch 1, turn, and follow the directions for the metal chain. I suggest making your sc around the side of the ch 2 rather than the post of the dc.

Continuing from the foundation

Ch 2, turn. Dc in each sc across, skipping the ch 1. (90 dc)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn (counts as first sc). *Skip next 2 stitches, 10 tc in next st, sk next 2 stitches, sc in next st* across.

Do not turn. Attach the mauve yarn to the start of this row, so you will have two RS rows in a row.

Row 4: Sc2tog over first sc and first tc. *Sc in next 8 tc. Sc3tog over last tc, sc, and next tc.* Repeat across. At the end of the row, replace the sc3tog with a sc2tog. Fasten off mauve.

Again, do not turn; attach gold yarn to beginning of row.

Row 5: Ch 4 (counts as first st), 3 tc in same sc. *Sk next 3 sc, sc in next 2 sc, sk next 3 sc, 8 tc in next sc.* Repeat across, but only make 4 tc at the end of the row. Do not fasten off. Now we’re going to turn like normal.

Row 6: Ch 2, hdc in same st. 2 hdc in next st. hdc in next 2 sts. *sc2tog over next 2 sc. Hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in each of next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts.* Repeat across, but end last repeat with hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in each of last 2 hdc.

Fasten off gold. Do not turn; join mauve to end of row.

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each hdc across.

Attach jewelry findings to chain so that you can close the collar. Weave in ends.

Rest in peace, Justice Ginsburg.

I’m going to finally boycott Hobby Lobby in your honor.