Purple Crocheted Knot Necklace - an Ode to Alzheimer's Awareness

This purple knot necklace is a tribute to a hope that lives deep in my heart: a world without Alzheimer’s. Purple is the official colour of Alzheimer's awareness!

With Mother’s Day in the rear window, while it’s a day filled with love and celebration for many, it’s also a bittersweet time for those of us who carry memories instead of moments. My husband and I both lost our mothers to Alzheimer’s several years ago, but not a day goes by that we don’t think of them.

Crocheted into icord from a blend of nubby and smooth yarn, because life with Alzheimer’s is exactly that: uneven and unpredictable, this piece tells a story. The textures mirror the journey of this disease, from moments of clarity to confusion, from connection to heartbreak.

As you’ll see in the reveal, three Josephine knots twist together, like the memories Alzheimer’s tries to unravel, but these knots hold strong. They represent memory, legacy, and unbreakable bonds. And right at the center, a purple crocheted Alzheimer’s ribbon hangs like a quiet reminder of what we’re fighting for.

[If you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered (disclosure): The highlighted links in this post may be affiliate links. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases which we proudly donate to Alzheimer’s research. But don’t worry, you don’t pay a cent more! Thanks for helping to support our fundraiser!]

1. Yarn (mine is a silky and nubby rayon)
2. Mini purple cotton yarn (look for it at the dollar store)
3. 1.5 mm crochet hook
4. Yarn winder
5. Scissors
6. 14mm jump ring
7. Sliders and clasp (found on clearance at Michaels).

This project is a great scrap buster! The nubby purple yarn is Melrose, Designer’s Choice Rosette in a colour called Wisteria; long out of production and likely out of business over 30 years ago. Since it was left over from a student project I made 40 years ago when I was studying fashion design, it was a tangled mess and I was almost ready to toss it. But I took time to methodically untangle and rewind it on a yarn winder.

This tip will save your sanity: place a piece of painters tape around the outside so the end can’t get caught up with the working yarn in the centre and cause another tangle.

I crocheted the yarn cake you see above into one long iCord almost 12 feet long. If you’d like to see how to crochet the iCord in real time, watch the video above starting from :45 (it's from another Birdz of a Feather project, but done exactly the same way).

Start by chaining 4. Then pull up loops in the next 3 stitches so there are 4 stitches on the hook.

Now drop 3 stitches and single crochet the stitch on the hook. Then you pick up the next stitch and do the same until all 4 stitches are back on the hook. Keep repeating this until you have the length you want. When working with two strands (ie. nubby yarn), you have to be cautious to keep both strands together as you form each stitch.

Once you have the length, you can start. Here’s a step-by-step with illustrations on how form the knots:

1. Make A Loop

1. Fold the iCord in half; you’ll be working with two strands.
2. Now lay the cord flat. At the folded end, form a loop, crossing the working end (right side) under the standing end (left side). This is the base loop the rest of the knot will form around.

2. Shape Into Pretzel

1. Take the working end and bring it under the left loop,

It should look like a pretzel (3rd pic).

3. Weave Over and Under

1. Now weave it:
2. Over the non-working end,
3. Under the bottom strand of the bottom loop, and
4. Over the next strand and then under the strand running through the middle of the top loop as shown.

The arrows in the last picture may help with this under-over-under weaving:

3: Pull Through And Shape

1. Gently pull the end through and start tightening slightly to form the symmetrical weave.

4: Adjust And Tighten

1. Pull both ends gently to tighten and neaten the knot.
2. Ensure the loops are symmetrical and the crossings are smooth, keeping both strands together.

You’ve made your first knot! You’ll be able to further tighten if you wish after all three knots are formed.

At this point, it’s time for a little bling! I found a bunch of jewelry findings at Michaels on clearance and will be using a pair of silver sliders (seen circled above in the first picture).

A piece of contrast yarn helps to tread on one of the sliders. I can pull the end and guide it onto the double iCord.

Slide it down into place.

Continue to form two more knots. Here’s the start of the next one with that classic pretzel shape - and after weaving (2nd pic). Finally snug the knot up against the first one and tighten it up. Continue in the same manner with the last knot to complete the knotted necklace.

Finally, slide another jewelry finding onto the end (last pic).

No tribute to Alzheimer’s would be complete without a purple ribbon. Of course, the ribbon is completely optional and you could just stop here and wear the necklace as-is.

Want to adapt the necklace for a different cause? Simply change out the yarn colours; use pink, for example, to show support for breast cancer awareness.

I’m using a mini skein of purple cotton to make the ribbon.

Row 1. Chain 36. Chain 1 and turn.

Row 2. single crochet (sc) 35. Chain 1 and turn.

Row 3. sc 6. Chain 3, skip 3 sc, sc 26. Fasten off and hide ends.

Use a 14mm jump ring to loop the ‘ribbon’ onto the bottom cord of the middle knot.

Attach a similar hook system as the sliders to each end of the i-Cord and wear it with pride!

After losing our moms to Alzheimer’s, we’re fully committed to fundraising in their memory. Every dollar we earn, from our blog, our YouTube channel Birdz of a Feather, and other sources, goes directly toward supporting research for a cure. And every stitch in this necklace is part of that mission – small, deliberate, and filled with purpose. By reading, sharing, or supporting our work in any way, you’re part of that mission too, and we’re truly grateful! To see the day no one has to endure this disease, or watch a loved one slip away, would be a dream come true.

It might not be a cure, but it’s a statement: love remembers. And sometimes, a little yarn can carry a whole lot of hope (and look darn good doing it, too).

For a very different, but equally stunning statement necklace, check out this vintage button necklace or this adult bib masquerading as a necklace. And of course, our Celtic Knot Necklace is on our blog too.

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