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A Simple Knotted Necklace with Bead Detail
Creating this unique and nautical-inspired necklace requires a simple knotting technique and the design can be transformed with a few bead details.

Posted by The Things She Makes Published See The Things She Makes's 9 projects »
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  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 1
    Step 1

    For this jewellery project, you will need jewellery cord (any size or colour), beads (large enough to thread on to your cord), findings and clasps.

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 2
    Step 2

    (Please note that the photos for the technique use blue cord to show the design better, however; I am completing this project with white cord)
    The design has a knotted center, so to start, I divided my cord into 4 equal lengths and knotted around 8inches from the top.
    Divide your cords in to a North, South, East, West formation and try to keep this as the knots are completed to prevent the design from twisting as you add each knot.

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 3
    Step 3

    The technique is simple - tie East and West together in a knot:

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 4
    Step 4

    ...and pull the cord - how tightly will effect your design, the more taut you make your ties, the closer together and more rigid your final look. Loose ties will create a more open, flexible effect.

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 5
    Step 5

    Next, tie North and South together, this knot tie will finish on top of the previous knot:

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 6
    Step 6

    ...tie again, consistent with the tie of the previous knot.

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 7
    Step 7

    ...then repeat, changing between North and South then East and West with each knot, continuing for the length you wish:

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 8
    Step 8

    (The following photos are now of the white cord)
    Keep knotting, North and South then East and West until you reach the desired length:

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 9
    Step 9

    (my length measured between each collar bone):

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 10
    Step 10

    To secure, create a large knot with all 4 lengths of cord at either end:

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 11
    Step 11

    Now, for the bead details. Taking three strands of the cord, I threaded one of my beads:

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 12
    Step 12

    ...then created a knot with the fourth strand to secure in place:

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 13
    Step 13

    For this part of the necklace, I kept the knot fairly loose to give more flexibility to the design.

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 14
    Step 14

    Incorporate the fourth strand in to the next three used to add the next bead, and repeat the process until the number of beads you want included are knotted in place:

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 15
    Step 15

    I added 5 beads each side and to finish the design and then continued the knotting technique of the main section to add a little length and finish the design:

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 16
    Step 16

    Once complete, I trimmed the ends to the same length, leaving around 2 cm to add a flat clasp at either end:

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 17
    Step 17

    I used pliers to bend and fold the clasp around the cord ends and securely enclose the cord ends.

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 18
    Step 18

    Finally, attach the necklace clasps.

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 19
    Step 19

    ....and your knotted statement necklace is complete.

  • How to braid a necklace. Knotted Bead Necklace - Step 20
    Step 20

    This is a versatile technique and design - make smaller versions for bracelets, add colour, different textures and sizes of cord and, if you can keep track of the knots, add more cord in batches of 2 to create bigger, bolder designs.

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