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 instruction 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.