[Caitlin]

Hi Larry
The 19 (or 21) strand wires (depending on brand work really well, too.

I haven't tried Dandyline yet, but it is braided cord and supposedly does not stretch.

I don't know the difference between unbonded and bonded threads, but I am researching at the moment. I am going to try c-lon too. I may or may not use the use the threads I test, but I do like to try them out and the market has gotten ahead of me.

Hi Caitlin,

You ask how the Detolon broke. We have had three breaks, none at the clasps. Don't know why; these were pieces that had been worn only once or twice. We would all be interested in hearing about your experience with Beadalons Dandyline and Power Pro Spectra.

Regards,

JLR/jag
J. Larry Railey

[Caitlin]

Hi Larry
I am shocked the Detalon broke! I just got the power pro spectra thread, but the gem show starts today and I am going out, so I may not get to it for a couple of weeks.

[knotty panda]

Hello all. I’m new and so glad I was directed to this site. Knots are my specialty, hence the name.

Thread: I use YLI 1000 denier carded silk 20 meters to a card. It lasts forever, is very inexpensive, very strong (haven’t had a strand break yet and I sleep in my pearls) and it comes in colors. A word about colored thread, for some reason, dyed threads don’t have the same texture or “hand” as undyed thread.

I don’t normally stretch my thread as I condition it in natural beeswax so much that it’s like stretching it. A good way to stretch thread is to take the length you need for your piece and thread it through your needle, wet it, string on your pearls, and let it dangle on a clothes hanger in the closet until dry. The weight of your pearls will stretch the thread. Then remove the beads, condition the thread to keep it from becoming unruly and knot using your favorite method.

One more word about the carded thread which has the needle attached which was mentioned here, it’s not thread at all but cord. Keep that in mind. If you use it to knot, use the smaller size 1 or 2.

I don’t use bead tips or clam shells, I use bullion.

I’ve tried every kind of knotting there is (except the Tri-Cord) from the old Japanese “tie the line to a button on your shirt” trick to running two needled threads through the bead and using an overhand knot.

I use a straight pin as an awl with great results.

One method I haven’t seen discussed here is the “carrier line” method. This is good for heavy pearls where the silk will stretch no matter how much you condition it. String the design on a wire (I use SoftTouch). Now, run a needle and thread the length of the necklace through each bead and make a larkshead knot between each bead. The wire takes the pressure off the silk and the silk separates each bead. No one can tell the difference.

And one last knotting trick, which really isn’t knotting at all, string a Delica seed bead between each bead in your design to simulate hand knotting. The look is fantastic!

Happy knotting!

Originally Posted by knotty panda

Hello all. I’m new and so glad I was directed to this site. Knots are my specialty, hence the name.

One method I haven’t seen discussed here is the “carrier line” method. This is good for heavy pearls where the silk will stretch no matter how much you condition it. String the design on a wire (I use SoftTouch). Now, run a needle and thread the length of the necklace through each bead and make a larkshead knot between each bead. The wire takes the pressure off the silk and the silk separates each bead. No one can tell the difference.


Happy knotting!

Hi Knotty Panda and welcome to the Forum!

Thanks for the good advice. I have a question regarding the heavy pearls:
If You have them first on wire and then try to go through the pearls with the silk - is the drillhole large enough? As You know the fwps all have very small drill holes....

What number of Soft Touch are You using on the heavy pearls?

[knotty panda]

I have found drill holes to be of varying sizes. Obviously, you want to test what you can get through the hole before you string so you can make adjustments if necessary. Try the smallest size first and work up from there.

[Caitlin]

Welcome Knotty Panda

and thanks for sharing. I liked the wire plus thread tip too. Never thought about combining them, though I use a lot of wire and a lot of thread.

I use wire on the heavy pearls because the silk streches no matter how much I stretched it before. I think I have some pix up where I used #12 or so seed beads between the klonks. Love the look.

[Caitlin]

*****
Is this the thread where we talked about Detulon? Oh yeah- I see it up there. Anyway, I liked it at first because it does not stretch, but as another poster pointed out, it does get this most annoying kink right by the knot every now and then.


I went on the hunt and tried several other new-fangled threads. In my opinion, a real winner is any kind of thread made from Spectra, known as Power Pro thread. Beadalon carries some as "bead thread" in various good sizes from 8lb test on up. I have used the 20lb test the most. Doubled that's 40 pounds of yank before it breaks! Marvelous! 25 meters for about $6.50 as bead thread Availble online from Artbeads among others. Free Delivery from Artbeads makes it a good deal.

Then---- And best of all- I found Spectra Power Pro in 300 meter rolls in the fishing line section of my hardware store. $9.99!!! It comes in white and dark.

I have restrung necklaces like a storm since I found this thread. I do not think I will ever use silk again. I bought 2 dozen tiny twisted wire beading needles and double the thread. I need fiskars children's scissors to cut it. Wire cutters and regular scissors do not cut it and neither do sharp-edged gemstone beads, like garnets. Yet it is soft and flexible and knots beautifully.

I am prepared to debate the merits of this thread and to convert as many beaders as possible to it.

This stuff hasn't kinked or tangled up yet. I waxed it at first, but don't bother now.

As some people here know, I use the 2 thread method. I am able to tie my knots and pull them tight with the Power Pro, even if the knot lands up the thread a little. I have given up my awl for knotting. Don't need it for moving the knot and/or mistakes any more.

I urge all knotters to try this and report back.

[knotty panda]

Caitlin: When you mentioned fishing line, I thought, gee, I should have mentioned all my little tricks. I use kite line. (65# test in case I want to hang a bowling ball around my neck.) Then I realized your fishing line and my kite line are both made by Spectra. I wonder if they are the same product just packaged differently for different audiences. Here's to ingenuity!

[Caitlin]

Spectra is the trademark name it has a little circle with an R in it. - Power Pro is the brand name for the beading and fishing lines.

I'd like to see the bowling ball "necklace"

I have been meaning to do some posts on starting and ending necklaces, bracelets, etc. Maybe you can beat me to the punch. We've had a few requests.

Geez,

As soon as the Friday nite traffic thins a little, I'm heading for the nearest hardware store! Thanks for all the suggestions, I know you have saved me from a ton of grief, I love those pretty little pearls, but my true heart is with the big boys!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[knotty panda]

When I re-string a strand for someone, it never fails that I run into my arch nemesis -- GLUE! I can never successfully clean the pearl and rather than lose a precious pearl, I just work around the situation. If perfumes harm pearls, why even use glue, I wonder? Anyway, off my soap box and on to my question, is there any sure-fire way to safely clean a pearl of all that crud and return it to it's rightful place with it's other little pearl friends? Thanks!

Hi Caitlin and All,

Struck out looking for the power pro, even on ebay it is more than double that price and only seems to come in yellow, green and red!!!!
Not quite what we are talking about, huh!!! Time for yellow pages----
Try again tomorrow--

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[knotty panda]

Pattye: I am in shock! Spectra Fiber line is $3.99/100 ft. at Catch The Wind (Portland, I believe). With all the kites in Oregon, there must be a kite shop close to you which carries it.

Jerin: With all this talk of fishing line, if even the smallest gauge of SoftTouch and a single strand of silk doesn't fit through your drill holes, try the fishing line. It will make the strand more supple than the wire, it will drape better and will do precisely what the wire does, prevent the silk from stretching. (Thanks for the idea, Caitlin! I probably would have never thought of that on my own.)

[Caitlin]

Hi Pattye
Artbeads has the 25m roll for 6.50 including postage. I am surprised and disappointed at your difficulty finding the stuff.

I'm going on the hunt.

It does come in white at Artbeads. The moss green looks black. I'll do a photo.


The local place I bought mine is out of stock and apparently I bought it on sale. sorry I will keep looking as I want it in at least 2 sizes.