Fuzzy knots

[beck83]

Hi everyone,
It's been a little bit of time since I've been on here. I'm now using serafil and still getting fuzzy knots. Is this because I'm using 4 threads and the knots are bigger, or this this just wear and tear if you wear your bracelet every day for a couple of months? I'm kind of at my wit's end.
Beck

 

[StarryPearl]

Hi Beck, I think it's more of normal wear and tear. I suppose the drill hole's edge is causing friction with the thread, leading to fiber breakage over time. While on large knots this might be more noticeable, smaller knots tend to develop a fuzzy appearance over time, too. With that said, your knots look pretty neat to me.

Happy Sunday!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Those knots are a lot less fuzzy than the ones in the photos you posted on your original thread. Barely any fuzz, and I would say that is normal wear and tear.

I'd say, "Focus more on the pearls and less on the knots", but you may just be more sensitive to the appearance of the knots than other people.

Here is an idea. Figure out how long it takes until the knots become unacceptably fuzzy to you, then write it on your calendar to restring regularly after that interval. Every 6 months, or every 8 months or whatever. And then ignore the knots until the calendar says it's time to restring. It's a bit of a mind trick but it may work.

 

[beck83]

Those knots are a lot less fuzzy than the ones in the photos you posted on your original thread. Barely any fuzz, and I would say that is normal wear and tear.

I'd say, "Focus more on the pearls and less on the knots", but you may just be more sensitive to the appearance of the knots than other people.

Here is an idea. Figure out how long it takes until the knots become unacceptably fuzzy to you, then write it on your calendar to restring regularly after that interval. Every 6 months, or every 8 months or whatever. And then ignore the knots until the calendar says it's time to restring. It's a bit of a mind trick but it may work.

Thank you Pearl Dreams. I think you may be right and it's my anxiety disorder occuring. I think that was about 2 months worth of wear. And I wore them pretty heavily. I'll try and give 6 months a go and not focus on them so much. Thank you for your kindness

 

[beck83]

Hi Beck, I think it's more of normal wear and tear. I suppose the drill hole's edge is causing friction with the thread, leading to fiber breakage over time. While on large knots this might be more noticeable, smaller knots tend to develop a fuzzy appearance over time, too. With that said, your knots look pretty neat to me.

Happy Sunday!

Thank you

 

[pattye]

I agree, normal wear. Remember that on a bracelet you are getting significantly more movement as it drapes, flexes and rolls around your wrist. That will result in the wear showing more quickly. The knots still look tight and tidy overall, imo.

 

[beck83]

Hi everyone. I know tt's been ages since I've posted. I'm getting better at ignoring the fuzzy knots. My question now is that do you think bigger knots go fuzzy more quickly? Eg I use 4 strands. If I used 2 strands would I get more longevity? Or would it be the same as I may have to use a double knot? And do necklaces show less wear and tear because they don't move around as much as bracelets? As always you are all a godsend and you have all helped me so much. xxx

 

[pattye]

Good question, Beck. Welcome back. Yes, bigger knots could likely show more wear. Using heavier thread and 2 strands instead of 4 thinner strands would be an interesting experiment. Agree with you that necklaces wear more slowly for the reason you've suggested.
Recently I've noticed wear on 2 jade bead (8mm) knotted bracelets. One, a friend wears daily and my own, worn less frequently. It seems that the edge of the drill holes are slightly rough or sharp and over time (months) abrading the thread, requiring more frequent restringing of the bracelets. I've never yet had this kind of wear occur with pearl bracelets.

 

[beck83]

Hi. So my next question would be even though the 4 strands show more fuzziness would that wear better over time, ie with frequent wear, or should I try 2 strands on the medium serafil thread? Though if you have to double knot wouldn't the same problem occur?

 

[beck83]

Does anyone else have a theory? The thicker knots would show more fuzzines but would it be stronger and more reliable, right? I wish the bracelets didn't have a quicker wear through time like necklaces.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I recall your previous posts about the knots getting fuzzy.
Did I ever suggest stringing your bracelets on beading wire instead? With silicone bumpers in between the pearls instead of knots. And screw-type crimp beads at the ends to hold the wire. This is a potential solution.

 

[beck83]

I recall your previous posts about the knots getting fuzzy.
Did I ever suggest stringing your bracelets on beading wire instead? With silicone bumpers in between the pearls instead of knots. And screw-type crimp beads at the ends to hold the wire. This is a potential solution.

No you didn't. I wouldn't even know where to start on that. I've never used or have any of that material.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Then probably it's best to stick with thread. With every new skill there is a learning curve.
I actually learned how to use beading wire before I learned how to knot thread.

 

[beck83]

I'm actually afraid I'm not knotting correctly. I've been using bead spiders, on YouTube, method but with 4 threads. I'm not sure if that's correct?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

There isn't just one correct way. If you are making knots, you are doing fine!

 

[beck83]

Maybe but shouldn't an over hand knot incorporate all strands? If so that may be why I am getting fuzzy knots? I just don't know how to do that as all the YouTube videos on it seem complicated.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I'm sorry, I don't know how to help. If we lived close by I'd get together with you, as I have done with several folks who wanted learn to knot. Maybe you could look for someone who teaches classes (or private lessons) in beading and stringing in your area?

 

[beck83]

Thanks. I guess my question would be if you were doing a 2 strand bracelet would you keep the 2 lines together and do an overhand knot, then pull them apart to seat the knot? Or would you pull the strands apart immediately and do a simple knot that way? Thanks x

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Do you mean a 2 strand bracelet-- as in, two rows of pearls side by side, connecting to a single clasp that has 2 rings? If that is what you mean, I would string and knot each strand separately, one after the other.

Or do you mean a single-row bracelet that is strung using doubled thread? In that case I place the needle + thread through the drill hole and then make an overhand knot with both threads together, then pull the 2 threads apart to seat the knot. And then continue on that way with the next pearl, and the next.

 

[beck83]

The 2nd was what I meant. I pull 2 strands apart and knot them that way. Or if I'm doing a single pearl bracelet and I'm using 4 strands, I put 2 strands in one hand and 2 strands in the other and knot them that way. Much like this tutorial

. Do you think that is what is making my strands fuzzy so quickly?