Basic Cord Knotting with an Awl

Basic Cord Knotting with an Awl

As we near the Christmas season, I am reminded of my absolute favorite Christmas gift of all time -- re-knotting pearls.  Every woman you know has a ziplock baggie of great aunt Edna's pearls deep in a drawer.  They probably run across it each time they deep clean, and fully intent to eventually have them re-knotted and returned to their former splendor.  Unfortunately, if they take those pearls to the local jewelry store, they will be quoted a price of $3.00-$5.00 PER KNOT.  Nostalgia may be priceless, but most people will toss those pearls back in the drawer when faced with a repair price of $250.00 or more.  And here's where you come in.  You can learn to re-knot those pearls (or other beads) quickly and easily.  Imagine the glow on their pretty little faces when you present them with their special necklaces, beautifully knotted for free.  Now THAT'S a great gift!

If your friend doesn't have a great aunt Edna, you can buy our Knotted Freshwater Pearl Bracelet Kit HERE, or you can use your own beads.

You will need:
Freshwater pearls (at least 16 inches)
Griffin silk knotting cord, size 4
Sterling silver trigger clasp (1)
Sterling silver clamshell (2)
Sterling silver jump ring (1)
Awl
Fuzzy mat

Remove the entire length of silk cord from the card.  Several inches from the non-needle end, tie a simple knot.  Pull the knot tight, and then tie a second knot right over the top of the first.  (I'm using purple cord here so the images show up.)

Pass the needle through the hole inside the hinge of the clamshell. so the knot fits inside the cup of the clamshell.

 

Tie another knot very close to the outside of the clamshell.  This helps to stabilize the clamshell.

String on one freshwater pearl.

Tie a loose simple knot under the pearl.  DO NOT pull it tight!

Put the awl inside the knot and guide the knot very close to the pearl.  Still DO NOT pull it tight!

Carefully remove the awl from the knot.  Place the awl under the knot, pressing VERY firmly into the fuzzy knot.

  

Holding the awl down tightly, pull the silk cord away from the pearl.  Do not let the knot slide under the awl.

The knot will stay very close to the pearl, with all the slack pulled out.  The first pearl should look like this.

String on another pearl and repeat previous four steps to knot.

Continue adding pearls and knotting between each pearl.

When the necklace reaches the desired length (generally between 15 and 18 inches), ass the second clamshell with the cup facing away from the pearls.  Knot twice inside the cup.  Add GS Hypo glue inside both clamshells and trim off any excess silk.  Use your round nose pliers tp curl the loop of one clamshell down so the lip of the loop fits into the clamshell.  Slide the closed jump ring onto the loop.

Press the clamshell closed, with the loop inside the clamshell for a permanent attachment.

Repeat this process on the other clamshell, closing the loop around the jump ring on the trigger clasp.

Buy our Knotted Freshwater Pearl Bracelet Kit HERE! 

www.beadworldinc.com