Knotting an Endless Necklace

[MintyFresh]

Hello, Beaders! Can anyone recommend a good video of instructions on knotting an endless necklace? I have been using a knotting method in which the thread is passed through each pearl twice. You string the pearls down to a thread-end secured with a paperclip (or something more secure!), push one pearl up to where you start to knot, double back your thread to that pearl and use gimp/clasp to start knotting that first pearl. I simply cannot figure out how to convert this method to create an endless necklace since you start with the gimp/clasp. Advice appreciated!

I ask because I'm taking apart a triple strand of pearls to convert to 2 separate necklaces. Here is the first one. Tiny golden akoyas and oval faceted zircon beads (with 2 mm copper spacers) wire wrapped on 24 gauge gold-filled wire. Plus an oval garnet necklace I made from my stash.

For the remainder of the tiny golden akoyas, I want to make an endless 34 inch strand that I can also twist into a torsade. If I have enough left over, I might make a 17 inch "choker" with gradient color clear to dark brown zircons/citrine rondelles.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I wrote instructions on how I do it in my stringing tutorial, beginning with this post:

Post in thread 'Stringing Tutorial with photos: Stringing on Serafil, Beaders Secret & Power Pro'

May 27, 2013

I made an "Endless" necklace today without a clasp. Here is how. (I have modified these instructions recently to improve the technique.)

1. Make a large loose knot (which will eventually be cut off) and place a spring type bead stopper on the thread so as to leave a 3 inch gap between the knot and the pearls you will string on. (Technically you don't need the knot but it provides a bit of extra security if the spring bead stopper releases accidentally.)

[Purpose of the long tail: You will need to grasp this thread "tail" later when finishing the strand, and can...

• Pearl Dreams

I embedded this YouTube video in my post, which is slightly different:

 

[BWeaves]

I've NEVER been successful ending my continuous strand necklaces, so I always join to a clasp or a fake clasp (like a brooch or a disk or fancy bead).

I use a hemostat to hold the end of the thread of the necklace. It's strong and it has some weight to it, so it doesn't shift around.

 

[pattye]

I start an endless necklace by putting on about 5-6 pearls leaving them unknotted, with a long tail at the end, use that bead stopper. Then start knotting your strand. When it reaches the length you want, including the unknotted pearls, finish with the same knots (half hitch) in Pearl Dream's stringing tutorial for beginning and ending. I also use a bit of glue (G-S Hypo Cement) on the last couple of pearls as they are knotted, just on the thread as it is pulled into the hole. Always test to make sure you can knot back through those 5-6 pearls, just as you do for a necklace with a clasp.
The tails will be nicely hidden!