Crochet Flower Necklaces: the Oya tradition

What is Oya?

Oya is the centuries-old Turkish craft of tiny crocheted and needle-worked flowers. For generations it edged the scarves and headscarves of Anatolia — worked by hand, passed from mother to daughter, and, in its own quiet way, spoken: different blooms traditionally carried different messages, a small language stitched in thread. It was never mass-made. It couldn't be. Each flower is shaped stitch by stitch, so each one comes out a little its own.

From scarf edge to necklace

Because Oya began at the edge of a scarf, it has always belonged at the neckline — which is how we came to it. Where our scarf necklaces drape fabric at the throat, a crochet flower necklace sets worked blooms there instead. The Floral Crochet Scarf Necklace sits right where the two traditions meet: crochet flowers on a piece you wear like a scarf.

How the flowers are made

There's no shortcut. Each flower is crocheted one stitch at a time, then assembled — a vine, a garland, a single bloom — and strung by hand. A piece like the Crochet Rose Vine Necklace is hours of work; the Crochet Rose Garland Necklace, more again. No mould, no machine, no repeat. That's the whole reason every piece is one of a kind: hand-work can't help but vary.

How to wear a crochet flower necklace

Let the flowers be the whole story. On a plain knit or tee in a quiet colour, a piece like the Yellow Crochet Rose Oya Necklace or the Green Crochet Flower Necklace becomes the outfit — no earrings competing, nothing else at the throat. For something softer, the Handmade Crochet Floral Oya Necklace layers gently over linen. Crochet reads best against calm, uncluttered fabric, the way a real flower reads best against green.

A note on care

Treat the thread like a fine textile: jewellery goes on last — after perfume, lotion, and hairspray — and comes off before water. Stored flat or loosely rolled in its pouch, the flowers hold their shape for years, and a gentle reshape with your fingers is all they ever ask. The longer version lives in our care guide.

Common questions

What is Oya?

Oya is the traditional Turkish craft of tiny crocheted and needle-worked flowers. For centuries it edged the scarves and headscarves of Anatolia, worked by hand and passed from one generation to the next — each bloom small, deliberate, and slightly different from the last.

Are LUA's crochet necklaces one of a kind?

Yes. Every flower is crocheted by hand, so no two fall the same way, and we never repeat a design — once a piece finds its person it retires forever. The one around your neck is genuinely the only one anywhere.

How do you care for a crochet flower necklace?

Treat the thread like a fine textile: put it on last, after perfume, lotion, and hairspray, and take it off before water. Store it flat or loosely rolled in its pouch, and reshape the flowers gently with your fingers if they ever need it.

How long does a crochet flower necklace take to make?

Hours — sometimes days. Each flower is worked one stitch at a time by hand, then assembled and strung. There's no mould and no machine, which is exactly why every piece is one of a kind.