[Sueki]

Hi Pattye,
Sorry to hear of your problems.
But don't worry, I am sure that happened with most of us the first few attempts.
And seeing your photos of your other work, I know you'll just get better and better at the knotting.
When I first started to knot, I couldn't believe Caitlin's posts about knotting a long rope while watching a film on t.v. and how quickly she did it, too.
It used to take me all day to string an 18 inch necklace !!
Now it takes me about an hour.

Knotty, I don't like Thread Heaven either.
Quite apart from the static, which I find makes the silk more prone to unruliness and twisting, it's very sticky. Even after removing the excess.

[richipat]

Pattye -- I understand completely -- sounds like my experiences. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Practice, practice, practice. I am getting better. I decided to try knotting bracelet size instead of a whole necklace. The knots are still iffy - but having one or two strands come out fairly decent is very encouraging.

[knotty panda]

If I may be so bold as to offer some suggestions? Don't concern yourself with gimp for the moment. Bead tips really are an acceptable way of ending a strand. Also, make a few bracelets before making any necklaces. Less thread to trip you. Make it easy on yourself. Oh, I see richipat made the same suggestion.

[Satine De La Courcel]

Practice is the Best answer. I have used Wax, and Thread Heaven, FOr wax use real Beaswax note hte crappy stuff sold at a local Fabric stores real beaswax and make sure its "fresh" the Older wax Crumbles and "gunks up" the Pearl holes, discolors teh thread and looks sloppy and is counter productive.

As for thread heaven, it takes a long time to get used to dealing with ttah stuff. I do not like how it "coats my Fingers" But that is the Point to all this is to "coat" the thread you use, to have the thread more durable especially for using gemstone or glass beads.

I have also used many of the other "Threads and wire threads metioned" It is really individual preference. Nothing is a cure all or perfect to use all the time.. Knotting really does take practice.

good luck Keep practicing. until you find what works for you.

[knotty panda]

[quote=Satine De La Courcel;33102]Practice is the Best answer. I have used Wax, and Thread Heaven, FOr wax use real Beaswax note hte crappy stuff sold at a local Fabric stores real beaswax and make sure its "fresh" the Older wax Crumbles and "gunks up" the Pearl holes, discolors teh thread and looks sloppy and is counter productive. /QUOTE]


Nothing like preaching after the sermon is over but that wax thing is really true. Keeps the thread from snagging and twisting, knots glide into place no matter how careless I am. Good beeswax is pale in color and is not sweaty. If it looks hard, then it is hard. I agree about the fabric stores. Haven't purchased a good cake there yet (Hancock's, JoAnn's, etc.). I've heard quilting stores carry good stock because they are a specialty store. I get mine at my local bead store. Really expensive at $2.25 a cake and this cake will probably last me another 5 years. How do bead stores stay in business?

[Sueki]

I buy my beeswax from a beekeeper for about the same price as you pay, Knotty.
His honey is nice, too....

[Satine De La Courcel]

Knotty,

Due to busy life, I am not online daily as many are these days I am behind in my reading. so if the "horse is beaten" I appreciate you give some room. Summer is my Buys time, lately I would rather spend my days here on PG with everyone but.. Life has a way.....

Anyway back to cathcing up so not to make anyone else annoyed..

Cheers
Ash

[thesparklingstarfish]

Hi folks.. I dont know how great my method is but it's quick, simple and painless. I have some decent customers who think it's great but maybe it's a case of 'what do they know??"

I use Griffin # 2 or 3 (depending on pearl size) and it comes with the attached needle. It's silk already twisted for strength. I tie on the one part of my clasp..glue the knot and cover it with a sterling crimp cover bead. Then I string on one pearl at a time making the knots as I go. Wrap the thread around and through the loop..pinch the thread by the pearl with a pair of Revlon (red coated) tweezers (under $8 at Walmart) and pull the loop tight. I let go and let the string hang just before I let go with the tweezers..then use them to push the knot down next to the pearl. Works great every time!! Get to the end of the strand and tie on my other end of the clasp, glue it and cover with a bead and voila.. done!

I've watched so many videos and read so many how-to's on knotting but a gal showed me this method last year and I've taken off with it. I got so confused with those other ways. And I cant' for the life of me understand how to get 2 strands through those holes with a needle. They are so tiny! But then I'm not a professional

[Cathybear]

Originally Posted by knotty panda

Speaking of waxing, anyone besides me hate Thread Heaven? Gives the thread a static electric charge. I guess that's one way to end twisting.

I like Thread Heaven, but I really only use it occasionally, to ease a needle through pearls when they are a tight fit. When I need it I just run the eye of the needle and surrounding thread over the little block. If Thread Heaven doesn't help then I need to go down a size in the silk thread.
Cathy

[Cathybear]

Originally Posted by richipat

Pattye -- I understand completely -- sounds like my experiences. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Practice, practice, practice. I am getting better. I decided to try knotting bracelet size instead of a whole necklace. The knots are still iffy - but having one or two strands come out fairly decent is very encouraging.

When I started knotting I remember feeling as if I had two left hands.
The only way to remedy that is to .... wait for it.. practice, practice, practice lol.
Starting with bracelet length is a GREAT idea! I wish I'd though of that when I was starting (would have been less to CUT UP when I had to start again)
Cathy

[jerin]

Hello Sparkling Starfish (what a lovely name) and welcome to the forum!

I still think to knot without tweezers is easier and when I knot heavier pearls I use Power Pro and no glueing is needed as I burn the knot with the thread ends so no pearl will get lost in case the otherwise used glue would get into the drillhole. Flexible needles with a large eye are easy to use with double thread, buy from Bead Shack...