[TCallen]

Would you recommend using (or have you used) power pro for pearls?
Does it have the same look as silk?

Thank you again for your time and expertise.

[TCallen]

I think I want to try it your way with power pro...where do i buy this?

[Caitlin]

Hi T
Below is a picture closeup of knots on a 60 5mm strand knotted with 20 lb PowerPro thread which I buy from Suzanne Hye. Here is the Power Pro page. she has the thread zap too.

PowerPro is the strongest, most fray resistant thread I have ever used. Unlike silk's main problem, it does not stretch. Drawbacks are that it comes in only 2 colors and it is rougher on the hands when knotting. It drapes as well as silk does and unlike silk, you can hang strands made with this thread up on hooks without them stretching. It comes in 6lb, 20lb and 30lb. 30lb is good for pearls 7mm and up, 20lb is better with the 5-6mm range. Just think, 20lb thread doubled is 40 pounds of yank and unlike Cinderella's necklace, these babies won't break with yanking them hard or under normal wear. Unlike silk, this thread is indifferent to water.

Suzanne probably has twisted wire needles too, but you can use any kind of beading needle if it is thin enough to go through the holes.

I also like it better than detulon which has a tendency to kink on me, though maybe that is because I am left-handed and do everything backwards.

[TCallen]

Caitlin,
OK, I think I located the Power Pro and accessories. I practiced the double strand knotting method in the video you recommended, and you're right, I was doing a single strand because I was a total klutz with all the 2 strand methods I tried previously. This method is very easy.

Last Question in order to figure out which diameter of Power Pro to use:
I will use a double strand to restring the endless loop of pearls. When I end by knotting back three pearls, won't I need a diameter of Power Pro that will allow 4 strands to go through the last three pearls?
Power Pro comes in diameters of .005, .006, .009 and .011 inches.
I'm not sure how big the holes in the pearls are, I think the pearls are about 4-5mm. Silk thread with a doubled diameter of .0274 inches (plus the needle) wouldn't fit through the pearl. So i'm thinking either the .006 or .005 size would work?? Does that sound logical?

[Caitlin]

Yes it does sound logical. I did my 5mm with the 20 lb test. That would be the .009. However if the pearls are 4mm and down, the .006 might work better. If you get the thread too small the pearls will slide over the knots, unless you double knot, but if the .009 is too thick, you won't be able to pass it through again.
Since I do a lot of stringing I got each size, then found the vast majority of pearls 5-8mm or so, use the .009.
There is a bit of variation in pearl drill hole sizes. That is why before I start anything knotted, I try out the thread size by passing it through a pearl twice, to see if 4 strands will go through. I also try a knot or two to see if the pearls slip.

[knotty panda]

Here's a diagram for endless knotting. http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/9555/knottedloop.htm The key is the locking half-hitch knots.

[Caitlin]

PS you don't have to wax Power pro thread, but you do need special scissors. Fiskars kid's scissors are OK, but I like thread clippers. They cost less than $3.50 a pair and go up from there. If you take knotted power pro strands apart, buy several of the cheap ones. I found one pair will clip a couple hundred knots before it dulls. The Fiskars are about $4.50.

PPA THREAD CLIPPERS RETAIL PRICE 1 PER ITEM PRICE
$1.85

[borah]

I've just tried my hand at making a pearl bracelet and I'm about to pull my hair out because I can't for the life of me figure out how to finish it. I'm missing something but I'm not sure what. So far I've been stringing and knotting with a single thread and making overhand knots on the first three pearls (I've been knotting the way it's shown in the video on the first page). When I try to finish the strand, I leave the last three pearls unknotted, string the gimp and other half of the clasp and go back through the first pearl and pull it tight. But how do I know how to leave enough room for the last three knots? Are those knots supposed to be overhand knots? I'm so confused. If I don't pull the last three pearls against the rest of the strand, I have plenty of space to make more knots but then there's an ugly gap between the last section of the bracelet and the rest of it. But I'm not sure how I'd knot if I pull it tight Help, please!

[jerin]

Hi Borah and welcome to the forum.
You are quite right you have to see that there is no space left between the last three pearls, you are doing quite right, making simple overhand knots. You keep it tight together by putting your finger behind the 4 pearl from the end (this one has a knot and sits "tight", then you just see to it that you are pushing the 3 final pearls tight against it, adjusting the thread by pulling. Once you have gone back through the first pearl (all the time adjusting the thread so it is close/tight to the pearl), you can put the bracelet down on the table, form the upper part of an "8", go through with your needle, pull the thread/s through so they go tight into the pearl and continue. BTW I always work with double threads. I hope you understand what I am trying to explain...

[pearlescence]

Hi Borah
You don't leave any slack or gaps. Pull the last three pearls tight and then you have to fiddle the needle through the tiny gap which will open up if you carefully and gently but determinedly bend the piece to about 90 degrees.
hope this helps
wendy

[Sueki]

Hi Borah,
Welcome to the forum.
Yes, as Jerin and Pearlescence state - don't leave any room at all for the last three knots; you will find that the knot tucks neatly between the pearls, as it always finds enough room no matter how tightly you push the the last three against the rest of the pearls.
Hope you post some pics. of the finished bracelet.....

[Nerida]

Hi everyone - does anyone else use their bent chain nose pliers to help get the needle out of the pearls as you go back through them? I bend my work to 90 degrees, like Wendy, but sometimes find that I still don't have enough room to pull the needle through with my fingers - using the bent pliers helps enormously - maybe I'm just a little in need of "remedial" help...

[pearlescence]

No, sometimes I use the pliers too - I don't use specific jewellery pliers though, I have my late father's WW2 CK fine electrical work pliers (much more delicate and precise) I have a pair with a pointed end and a pair which is squared off,. plus I bought some CK snips which I use for cutting everything.
Another tip, sometimes the needle tip gets stuck on a bump inside the drill hole. You can usually get it through if you turn the whole item around to the 'other side'

[Caitlin]

Hi Borah
Are you using one thread with a built-in needle? IMHO a single thread is much harder to get the knots snuggled in tight.

I really recommend you get thread without a needle on it and put it through the needle so it is doubled, then knot or clamp the end so the beads/pearls will not fall off.

I think I have a link with a place for getting silk on a card with no needle earlier in this thread. Then, if you find you like knotting, perhaps you should move up to spools of silk thread.

Hi Nerida

does anyone else use their bent chain nose pliers to help get the needle out of the pearls as you go back through them?

That is a fine idea, though many first timers should wait to buy a pair until they know beading is for them.

[knotty panda]

If I pulled the last three tight, I wouldn't have enough room. I slip my thumb nail between each pearl and maintain that spacing to do my end knots. Another way is to line up both ends side by side to gauge how much room to leave. Knowing how much room to leave is probably the hardest part of knotting but once you've got it, you're home free.

Pliers pulling needles? YEAH BABY!