[Caitlin]

HI
Your method seems to work, but that is a poor choice of needle for knotting. If you get a twisted wire beading needle and cut a length of string 4 times plus 10 ", thread it through the needle so it is doubled and tie a knot. Put on one or two beads(pearls) add the gimp and clasp and go back through one pearl and make your first knot, then back through the second and knot, then string all the rest of the pearls on. Then slide one pearl up to the end with the clasp and knot it. Slide the next up and knot it. Leave the last two pearls unknotted add the gimp and clasp and pass it back through the last pearl, knot, the second to last, then knot. I didn't see how you got the clasp on, but congratulations on finding a method!

I use a thin flexible twisted wire needle- the thinest one because often it will double back after the clasp with no problem compared to a thicker needle. Your needle is very thick. Much more suitable for applying seed beads to a fabric.

I keep thin, medium and thick thread and use the one that will double back through the pearls for the clasp knots, yet is not too small that the pearls slip over the knots. Some people do use very thin thread and use two doubled threads knotted at the end. Otherwise the same techniques apply.