[Caitlin]

Did any of you notice the link at the bottom? parelsknopen.wmv (813 Kb)
That gives a clear model of knotting between pearls. It is already on our forum, probably under the Pearl books and Resources as a sticky. Jeremy has one up too, but I find it harder to follow along with that video.

I invested in a little bead board-cost is less than $5 if you have a resale license, double that for a hobbyist. This board has horse shoe shaped groves-usually 3 of them. Put the necklace in the outside curve with the center pearl in the center of the board and note how far up each side the necklace goes. When you remove the pearls from the original string (after cleaning if you need to do that) cut the knots one by one. Place the pearls one by one starting with one side. Put the end pearl approximately where you noted the ends are on the board, continue until the pearls are all on the board in the same exact order until you reach the other end.

Then do your first half clasp Run the needle and thread back through the first pearl (at least) and knot it. String all the pearls on the thread in the correct order. It makes for a much better rhythm when you are knotting to just slide each pearl up to the last knot. Using the video clip, practice copying her moves until you understand them. leave at least the end pearl and the second pearl unknotted, put on the second clasp and go back though the first pearl and knot.

I check thread size first, by putting the needle and thread though an end pearl then putting it back through the pearl in the other direction and pull. The right sized thread will pull easily through. If the needle gets stuck, go down a size in the thread and check that.