Let’s Get Knotty Together
Let's Get Knotty Together
This Article is going to be Knotty.
That’s right we are going to explore the most popular knots for jewellery making. Knots are very important for jewellery making. Using the correct knot can keep your jewellery from coming apart. It also helps enhance your jewellery piece. There are several factors to take into consideration before trying knots. These are:
- The stringing material.
- Strength of the thread or cord need for the beads being used
- Length of the thread or cord for your project.
There is nothing worse than running out of thread or cord in the midst of a project.
Now let’s take a look at the knots themselves.
Simple Overhand Knot
The first knot is a simple Overhand knot. You learn this knot when you learn to tie your shoes. It’s just a loop in the cord and pull the ends in opposite directions. For added security, you can place a dab of glue on the knot. E-6000 is a good glue to use for this.
It is used in bead stringing and Pearl Knotting. When used this way, try and get the knot as close to the bead as possible. You can also simply us it in the design as decoration as well.
Lark's Head
It is as simple as an Overhand knot. This knot is mainly used for macrame projects. It can also be used as a bail to attach stones as pendants or as clasps. It is pretty secure and can enhance your jewellery piece.
Square Knot
This knot is used as a connector. It is the one to use when adding on new cord. You can use beads with this knot to be more decorative or use just the knots for a more simplistic look. This knot lends itself to using multiple strands.
Each of these knots is created by wrapping the outer strands in a loop around a core piece. Alternating from side to side creates a nice flat finish.
For a spiral effect, simply tie the knots on one side only. To do these, you need to secure it similarly to macrame. This technique works best with cord, leather, or hemp.
Sliding Knot
This knot is perfect for making adjustable jewellery. There is no clasp required, so this is perfect for anyone with metal allergies. This knot is made by making 2 tunnels of loops in your cord. These tunnels will slide along the cord to make the piece larger or smaller. This is best used with thick cord of some kind.
Surgeons Knot
This knot is good for using with slippery cords like elastic cord. This is similar to the Square knot, but more durable. It is not used as a decorative knot, just a utility one.
Pretzel Knot
This knot is also known as the Josephine knot. It gets it’s name from the fact that it resembles a pretzel shape. It’s often used as a focal point in macrame. You can enhance the look of the knot by using multiple colours.
To create this knot, you start out securing it to a board (like in macrame,) then twist the cord into connecting loops.
Half Hitch
The final knot in this article is a Half Hitch. This stitch is mainly used in bead weaving. It’s used for adding more threads and ending the weaving also. This knot is similar to the overhand but its done over another thread.
Hopefully this article helps with knowing which knot to use for a project. Remember practice makes perfect, especially in jewellery making.
One Comment
Sherry Stockton
Great job, Jeanne! Now if I can remember or “can’t ” all of the knots, I have a quick resource on GRBS.