What Size Silk Thread For Knotting Pearls

It seems that no matter what I do or where I go in life, my beads follow me. Fifty-fifty after finishing my 200-hr yoga teacher training programme, the chaplet are post-obit me into my yoga and meditation exercise. Here are 4 steps to make your own mala beads using gemstones.

ABOVE: Photo by Frank Bienewald/Getty Images

Meditation has e'er been a tiny bit of a challenge for me. Await, did I say tiny? Maybe more tiny. When I was meaning with my son, I took a childbirth class that focused on breathing and meditation techniques to deal with labor. I remember getting frustrated because I institute myself and so relaxed as I practiced that I would fall asleep! At the time, the instructor assured me that information technology was a practiced thing. It was for childbirth, just when I sit and do regular meditation, I need something else to help me focus. That's why I love to utilise gemstone mala beads for keeping my mind engaged while in meditation.

I prefer to use knotting techniques when I brand my gemstone mala beads, just the way I prefer to knot my strands of freshwater pearls so that one bead flows into the adjacent. It makes for a particularly lovely, tactile experience when I'm meditating with my gemstone mala beads, and when I'm feeling inspired, I can habiliment them around my cervix, but like a beaded necklace.

Even if you lot don't meditate, you tin can learn how to make a strand of knotted gemstone beads for supple beaded necklaces and bracelets. Here are some basic tips and techniques to go you started!

Tools & Materials for Knotting Mala Beads

Assorted gemstone beads in your choice of size, shape, and stone
S-Lon cord or silk thread (size F silk thread is a good selection for pearls or small gemstone beads)
Clasp or other finding for finishing your strand of beads
Scissors or thread cutter
Beading awl
Glue (optional)

How to Knot Gemstone Beads

Learn how to knot gemstone and mala beads in this exclusive article.

1. Select a thread.

Take into business relationship the size of the gemstone beads that yous're using, the bore of the dewdrop hole, and the weight of the beads. Silk thread is a bully choice for smaller, lighter gemstones like 4mm amethyst, garnet, or citrine. (Thinking spring with those colors!) When I make my gemstone mala beads, or if you're using a strand or two of larger, heavier beads (around 8mm in size), I prefer to utilise S-Lon cord. It's the same beading cord that I use for beaded kumihimo, and it knots beautifully betwixt gemstones, likewise. Added bonus: it comes in dozens of colors, so chances are, I can discover something to perfectly match whatsoever gemstones I choose.

2. Exam knotting.

I like to make a few test knots with my gemstone beads and thread to brand sure that the knots won't disappear into the dewdrop holes. If you discover that your gemstone beads swallow upward those knots, try double-knotting between beads. Or, use something like a flat washer or other spacer bead to make a smaller hole on either side of your beads. Y'all don't want to get a long strand of chaplet strung onto your cord and then find out that your knots are also minor!

iii. String your beads first.

To begin your knotted gemstone project, you'll want to cut a length of cord and cord your chaplet on the cord before you begin.

A general rule of thumb is that a wingspan'southward length of cord is expert for a longer necklace made with larger beads. I use most ten feet of cord for a 36 inch strand of knotted chaplet. To reiterate what my practiced friend Jill Wiseman teaches, cord is cheap. It's easier to have leftover cord at the stop of your projection than it is to have to add a new string 3/4 of the way through your stringing project!

Once yous've cut your cord, tie a knot about eight inches from one terminate. Cord on all your beads in the society desired for your finished slice. Then tie some other knot well-nigh eight inches away from the opposite end of the string. You tin can likewise use 1 of these professional finishing techniques for knotted strands of chaplet before you get started with the rest of the knotting. (Just make sure you slide your clasps and other jewelry findings onto your string with the rest of the beads!)

Learn how to knot gemstone beads with these expert tips and techniques. This is the perfect beaded jewelry accessory for meditation, yoga, you name it!

iv. Basic knotting technique.

Slide the get-go gemstone bead all the way down to the "empty" end of your cord. Brand a loop past passing the end of the cord with the single bead under the rest of the cord with the remaining beads. Option up that gemstone bead and drop it down right into the center of the loop. Don't tighten information technology into a knot only notwithstanding!

Belongings the loop in your nondominant paw, pick up your beading awl with your dominant hand and slide it into the loop from the bottom. Gently tighten that loop around the awl, and apply the awl to slide that knot downward so that it'southward snug upward confronting your gemstone bead. Slide the next bead downwardly, make the loop, and use the awl to slide the knot downwardly against the dewdrop. Repeat until y'all've finished knotting your strand of beads. Add your finding or closure on the other end, maybe using a little drop of glue to secure everything, and trim your threads.

Meditative Gemstone Knotting

What I've institute through making new strands of mala beads using things like rudraksha (organic seeds) beads and gemstone chaplet is that the process of knotting itself has a meditative quality for me. The rhythm of sliding and knotting gemstones induces a relaxing, peaceful country of mind in me. That's very useful when I brand a error and have to somehow undo a tiny knot in that silk cord. And I love the simplicity of using just a plain ol' beading awl for my knotting. It's light in my paw, it's piece of cake to use, and best of all, it's inexpensive.

And and so in that location's the gemstones themselves. My interest in the metaphysical and symbolic properties of gemstones has been renewed through my meditation practice with my mala beads. I'm always on the picket for new gemstone chaplet now. Using knotted gemstone chaplet as part of my meditation practice is really helping me to focus my listen and my energies on the positive!

Bead Happy,
Jennifer VanBenschoten

Originally published May 5, 2014, Updated January vi, 2022.