Hi Pearltime,
You are correct. Those are not knotted. The knots add a space between the beads. In these styles, the extra space looks wrong.
I switched to Softflex and crimp beads to string most beads now. I use ss french wire and ss crimp bead covers for a finished look. And for most necklaces I sell. As I said, I am a (lowly!
) beader.... Like my lumpy pearls, my stringing methods are not used by the bigtime online sellers who hang out here.
Pearls of 4mm and less are usually not knotted in any case. Actually it is a pain in the neck to knot 4mm and less
That having been said, stringing with Softflex is fast and strong. It is the standard stringing material for working women's fashion styles in the one to one kind of selling I do. It is also a good way to string beads when you are trying out combinations because it is fast and allows you to wear the necklace for awhile. I am a chronic restringer and will restring until I like it and that only happens a few times when you knotted the whole thing.
If someone wants certain necklaces knotted, I will knot them......