Rehabbed Tahitian string from Overstock

[MMtwo]

Hi Beaders,

A year or so ago, I bought my first strand of Tahitians from that "O" store online. When I got the pearls, I said "oh" alright, but I kept them. They were the best I could afford at that point. Fast forward to this year and a few lovely pearl purchases from PP, the old string was even less appealing.

Here is a section of the old string. Notice the loose knotting. I was also not a fan of the black thread.


I bought 18 Tahitian beads from WenPearls on Etsy (9-10.7mm) and the quality was on the nicer side of the original string. I was also pleased to see the new pearls had a lighter silver body, so it added more variety. I removed two of the most "chewed" Tahitians from the necklace and added a few nicer pearls. I threaded this on Pattye's lovely Beader's Secret in storm.

I now have a 23.5" strand of tahitians that is a little improved, I think.

Used a beading tool, but I still cannot seat some of my knots close enough. I may look into the tweezer method next. I think it's wearable for now and I will re-knot as my skill improves.

 

[MMtwo]

oops, sorry for the double post.

 

[baby nurse]

Nicely done, moneymeister! That's a pretty strand of Tahitians.

I've just learned how to string myself and I have a hard time getting the knots snugged up to the pearls, too. Really bugs me but no doubt the sort of thing that will improve with practice.

 

[MSC]

Very nice strand! Definitely improved.

I've found with knotting, as long as I can get the overhand knot as close as possible to the pearl before pulling the two threads separate, the knot will seat as it should without aid from tweezers or other implement. The exception to this is with power pro because it is not a slippery thread.

 

[MMtwo]

Sporting the PP strand (shorter) and rehab strand together today. I feel pretty fancy having two strings of Tahitians

 

[MMtwo]

Very nice strand! Definitely improved.

I've found with knotting, as long as I can get the overhand knot as close as possible to the pearl before pulling the two threads separate, the knot will seat as it should without aid from tweezers or other implement. The exception to this is with power pro because it is not a slippery thread.

Thanks MSC...the first knot I just used my hands gently, but then I chickened out. I will play with some practice beads and see if I can learn the no tool technique. I have used silk and Beader's Secret to date.

 

[MMtwo]

Nicely done, moneymeister! That's a pretty strand of Tahitians.

I've just learned how to string myself and I have a hard time getting the knots snugged up to the pearls, too. Really bugs me but no doubt the sort of thing that will improve with practice.

You're sweet baby nurse. I hope this gets better with practice. this is why I sent my graduated Akoya pearls to PP for a restring. They came back so tightly knotted I just scratched my head in wonder

 

[Pearly-Whites]

I have tried many knotting techniques...chewed up my fingers with a Tri-Cord knotter and not consistent knots, tweezer method etc.

Check out Jane Gordon on YouTube, restringing pearls.

What I found works the best for me personally is to string all of the pearls and using one of Pattye's small needles, back thread through the pearl and tie the knots tight against the pearl. I also use a surgeons knot to bulk up the knot. If anyone wants details, let me know.

 

[Lugana]

I also use a surgeons knot to bulk up the knot. If anyone wants details, let me know.

I want details please

 

[JerseyPearl]

You did a great job! And the two strands look great together. On knotting, I find that I can get the knots tighter and closer using no tools (and Beader's Secret, of course!!) For me, I don't even have to get the original knot close to the pearl...I can give a good tug and the knot will slip right into place. It helps to move the needle around a bit on the thread to avoid developing weak spots...and yes when I was learning I broke threads and needles too. You did a fine job on your restring!

 

[BWeaves]

I find that if there are two threads going through the pearl, then all I have to do is pull those two threads apart and the knot snugs right up next to the pearl. Sometimes I get a little over zealous on my pulling and I can actually make the knot too tight up against the pearl.

I use Beader's Secret and Pattye's large eye needles, because they are the best.
I thread all the pearls onto the strand of Beader's secret that is 5 to 6 times the length of the finished necklace. I hate to run out of thread.
Then I attach the clasp at the halfway point on the thread.
Then I go back through each pearl, do an overhand knot using both strands of thread, and pull the two ends apart to snug up the knot.
Works great.

At the other end, I stop 3 pearls from the end, and thread through the 3 pearl, no knot.
Then I put the needle on the OTHER end of the thread, attach the other side of the clasp, and then go back through the pearls, but this time making two half hitches between the pearls and over the thread that's already there.
Then I thread the end back through the 3rd pearl and cut the ends off.

No glue necessary on any of the knots, and the ends are hidden inside a pearl, so no fuzzies.

 

[MMtwo]

I have tried many knotting techniques...chewed up my fingers with a Tri-Cord knotter and not consistent knots, tweezer method etc.

Check out Jane Gordon on YouTube, restringing pearls.

What I found works the best for me personally is to string all of the pearls and using one of Pattye's small needles, back thread through the pearl and tie the knots tight against the pearl. I also use a surgeons knot to bulk up the knot. If anyone wants details, let me know.

I second that curiosity on the surgeons knot...would be a nice trick to have for a knot slip (larger hole bead) issue.
Thanks for the point to Jane Gordon. I'll check it out.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

With Beader's Secret I use an awl to gently drag the knot loop close to the pearl before pulling the 2 threads apart to tighten and seat the knot. Tweezers are hard to use with Beader's Secret because it's so slippery.

The surgeon's/jeweler's knot is made by putting the needle through the knot loop a second time before tightening (or if one strings on all the pearls before knotting, putting the already-knotted part of the strand through the knot loop a second time before tightening.) I do this also if I need a bigger knot. This kind of knot is harder to seat properly, even with Beader's Secret. One has to take more care with it to ensure it doesn't tighten too far from the pearl it's supposed to be up against.

 

[Pearly-Whites]

I do it almost exactly as BW explains above. It does not call for separating the plys of the thread as you are using two thicknesses of thread.

I personally also like Beaders Secret as it doesn't stretch and will not need restringing as often as silk.

Also Pearl Dreams explains the surgeons knot well. Overhand twice, tighten and underhand once. You can also find a visual on Youtube. It will hold tight against the pearl while you do the second knot. When you do not need additional thickness, a square knot will do...overhand then underhand. I have had a lot of practice in real life.

It has a nice rhythm and can be done while watching TV. I find it relaxing and therapeutic.

 

[Katbran]

I knot the same way as PD . I also find with Beaders Secret that's the knot snugs up well and you can even unpick a finished knot if you need to . I'm going to try the two needle method on a short strand to see how that goes just for Interest.

 

[MMtwo]

Thank you so much BWeaves, Pearl Dreams, Pearly-Whites and Katbran for your input on technique. This beading tool does not seem to be high on anyone's radar. I'll try the awl and no tool methods and see which feels best for me.

Showed hubby the newly strung rehab necklace, doubled with the PP strand. He said they looked nice together. He then looked closer and said innocently, "Huh, the short necklace has tighter knots'".

I won't be quitting my day job soon.

 

[Sanippy]

Great job money! That length looks great on you. Takes a while to get the hang of knotting, Im still learning too!

 

[Pearly-Whites]

Here is a detailed explanation. Directions may be hard to follow so once again check out the Jane Gordon YouTube video.

1. Measure out at least 4x string of finished necklace. BW uses 5 to six times but you can have more tangles with a lot of thread.
2. Mark the half way point with a pencil or sharpie.
3. Tie a big knot on one end.
4. String all of your pearls and/or beads and move them to the knot.
5. String 1/4 inch of French wire or gimp and move to to your half way mark.
6. String your clasp.
HELPFUL HINT: keep your needle near the other end of the knot with only a few inches of tail or excess string. You will be pulling three thicknesses through and this can be tight on some pearls. It significantly reduces tangling if your not working with a long tail.
7. Bring th first bead up to the clasp and thread it the other way through.
8. You are now ready to begin stringing.
9. Experiment with the type of knot you need with the hole and thread thickness to not have the knot pull through. Here is where you can determine if a simple square knot will do or if a surgeons knot will help. Sometimes you might find you need a larger thread as well
10. Knot the entire strand excepting the last three pearls.
11. Snip the knot and string those on the needle end.
12. Place the French wire and other end of the clasp.
13. Keep a small space between the pearls
14. Back thread through each pearl and knot.
15. I use a tiny bit of hypo cement and let it dry overnight but this is optional.

Hope this helps someone. It took me a LOT OF trial and error to come up with what works best for me. There certainly are many ways to do this that might work well for them!!

 

[JerseyPearl]

There is a thread on stringing, you should also post these instructions there. I will also add that instead of glue, I use a thread zapper on my Beader's Secret. It works great and comes in handy when you want a nice, clean finish.

 

[Pearly-Whites]

I would if I could figure out how to move it!! Thanks JP!! Incidentally I love your shop and your work you do beautiful things!