Knotted Bead Necklace

About

You Will Need (4 things)

Steps (20 steps, 60 minutes)

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 3

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

4. 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.

5. 5

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

6. 6

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

7. 7

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

8. 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:

9. 9

   (my length measured between each collar bone):

10. 10

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

11. 11

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

12. 12

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

13. 13

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

14. 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:

15. 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:

16. 16

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

17. 17

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

18. 18

    Finally, attach the necklace clasps.

19. 19

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

20. 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.