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How to knot pearls or restring pearls
How to knot pearls or restring pearls
The best and easiest method for beginners learning to knot pearls is by using a beading awl (see photo below) or very thick needle. The beading awl or needle will assist you in making tight, consistent knots.
It is important to use the correct silk thread for your pearls, as well as the right color to match your pearls. Griffin brand comes with a needle fixed to the cord which makes stringing your pearls easier.What you need to knot pearls:
- pearls of your choice
- silver spacer beads that match the size of your pearls. The holes of these spacer beads must be more or less the same size as your pearls
- 2 bead caps to fit your pearls
- clasp and hook (I’ve used a toggle clasp and bar)
- natural silk cord (see link above for the correct size)
- beading awl or very thick needle
- beading needle that matches your silk cord
- 3cm (1 inch) bullion (french wire)
- scissor or cutter
1. Cut off 8mm bullion.
2. Most cords have a needle attached to it. Use it and slide the following to the end of your cord (leave at least 10cm cord left to work with at the other end of the cord): pearl, bead cap, bullion, toggle clasp.
3. String the short end of the cord back through the bead cap and pearl. You will have to attach your own beading needle to this end of the cord.
4. Tighten both sides of the cord so that the bullion forms a loop. The silk cord must not be visible in the loop.
5. Tie a knot next to the bead using both cords. You can do it without the beading awl (or thick needle). This will be used when you have only one cord left for knotting.
6. Slide another pearl onto both cords next to the knot. Make another knot with both cords. Slide a third pearl onto the cord, and trim the short end of the cord next to the pearl. You will now have only one cord left for knotting.
7. Make a knot next to the pearl, and place the beading awl (or thick needle) inside the loop of the knot as close to the pearl as possible. The beading awl will assist you in making tight, consistent knots between the pearls.
8. Tighten the knot while keeping the awl in place.
9. Release the awl if the knot is close enough to the pearl, and use your nails to tighten the knot.
10. You can even add a silver touch to your design by using silver beads between some of the pearls. If you are going to add silver beads or gemstones, lay out your design before stringing and knotting it.
11. Keep on knotting....and knotting....until you have only one pearl left to string.
12. String the last pearl, bead cap, 8mm bullion and toggle bar onto the silk cord.
13. Insert the needle back through the bead cap and pearl (not through the bullion and toggle bar). Pull the cord and tighten the loop until you can only see the bullion which forms the loop.
14. Make a knot as shown in the picture below. Pull the cord to tighten the knot. (The knot might look slightly bigger because of the double knot) Don’t cut the cord yet.
15. String the cord through the second pearl as well.
16. This is the last step in learning how to knot pearls. Make another knot at the end of the second pearl, and string the cord through the third pearl. Don’t make a knot, but use your scissors or cutters to trim the excess cord. Well done, now you know how to knot pearls!
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