A Different Knotting Technique
by JoAnne.
(Marion)
I am not physically able to knot pearl necklaces. So I have been turning down requests to restring pearl necklaces that require knotting. Since jewelry repair remains about a third of my income and is highly profitable, I had to find a way to service my customers. Even though my hand tremors interfere with much of my jewelry making, I am able to string beads for short periods.
So I developed my own method of knotting. Using size 11/0 or smaller white/frosted or pearl white beads as spacers between the pearls, I make a half-hitch knot around each spacer. The result is a pearl necklace that drapes like a traditionally knotted one. The beads will not spill if the cording breaks, and the spacers maintain the original length.
JoAnne
Comments:
Great tips
by: Leigh
Glad to see you have overcome your obstacles. And thanks so much for sharing them with us.
good idea!
by: Elena A.
I’m really bad at pearls knotting (I actually hate this technique, I’m a real wrack..) your method sounds easier and quicker, I will definitely try it!
I don’t know if it can help you but I saw on “auntiesbeads” website a nice tool called Beadalon knotter tool (24.99$)there’s also a video on how to use it. It seems useful as it helps making perfect knots, I never tried it though because I haven’t find it yet here in Italy…
Hope you’ll get well soon!
Half hitch
by: Joan
Could someone please describe the half hitch in more detail? I’m not sure what it is.
How to tie a half hitch – and what it looks like
by: Rena
Hi Joan!
This page has a diagram and instructions for doing a half-hitch:
I hope this helps!
Thank you!
by: Carys
Great idea, thank you! I had hand surgery in May 2011 and still haven’t regained full mobility. I’ve had to turn down some repair work so this solution is perfect. I’ve just tried it and it works like a dream!
Genius!
by: Michelle Buettner
What an fantastic idea and I’m so glad to hear it’s working for you. Nothing’s more of a bummer than letting something physical get in the way of our creativity and/or income stream!
I handknot pearls quite a bit myself and this is a technique I will try to incorporate into one of my designs in the future.
Also, there’s a tool called the ‘easy knotter’ it’s a ‘peg on a board’ for lack of better terminlogy and it has made knotting with a specific amount of space between my pearls a dream to do. It’s only about $20.00 online I believe (google it). I purchased mine a few years back at the Tucson Gem show when the lady who came up with it did a demonstration and it’s really helped – if you get the chance to give it a try, it might be another option for you as well as the fantastic and innovative one you have come up with!!
Thanks for sharing.
Easy Knotter
by: Dr. Gail Devoid
This tool looks like it would be great for Tin Cup necklaces. Thank you for letting me know about it.
