Knots Tutorial

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Presented by Arbel, from the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads Studio,

Instructions by Tammy Honaman, Author, Jewelry-Making Expert and Educator,

Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®

7915

: : : Materials : : :

Ribbon

End of Materials List

Overhand Knot

Make a loop with both threads and pass one end through the loop; pull to tighten.

Surgeon's Knot

Bring the left thread over and around the right thread twice.
Bring the right thread over and around the left thread one time; pull to tighten.

It is recommended that you add a dab of glue to the surgeon's knot for extra security.

Lark's Head

Fold a length of cording in half; pass the loop through a gemstone donut or bead with a large enough hole
Pass the ends of the cord through the loop; pull to tighten

Adjustable Knot

Make an overhand knot on both ends of the cord and tighten them at the tips of the cord, this will finish your adjustable knot nicely.
With the right cord end, make an overhand knot around the left cord; go through the loop twice like in the surgeon's knot. Slide the knot you made down to the original overhand knot at the end of the right hand cord.
With the left cord end, make an overhand knot around the right cord; go through the loop twice like in the surgeon's knot. Slide the knot you made down to the original overhand knot at the end of the left hand cord.
Now you should have a sliding knot on each end. Your necklace can expand and contract by either pulling on the knots or the cord.

Half-Hitch Knot

Pass the working thread (working thread: the length of thread that has a needle threaded on or the end that is being used to string beads onto) through a bead already strung on your design.
Form a loop with the working thread, perpendicular and behind the thread with beads already strung on it.
Bring the working thread over the thread with beads and through the loop; pull to tighten.
Pass the working thread through the next bead and repeat.

Square Knot

Bring the left-hand thread over the right-hand thread and around.
Cross the right over the left then go through the loop; pull to tighten.

Fisherman's Knot

Similar to an adjustable knot, a fisherman's knot is used to securely join two pieces of thread together. Used often by seasoned anglers, the fisherman's knot is simple to tie--consisting of two overhand knots that are pulled together to tighten.

Hold the two separate pieces of thread with the ends facing each other.
With the first thread, tie an overhand knot about five inches in from the end of the second thread.
With the second thread, tie an overhand knot about five inches in from the end of the first thread.
Pull the two knots together to create a firm hold (the knots should rest tight against each other).

Whipping Knot

Step 1

Using laser scissors cut one 10-inch length of cord. Make a 3/4 inch loop on the end of the binding cord and with your non-dominant thumb, hold it in place on the bundled cords. Wrap the straight end of the binding cord around the cord bundle and back over the loop.

Step 2

Make several wraps around the bundle.

Step 3

Thread the end of the binding cord through the loop.

Step 4

Pull the opposite end of the binding cord to secure the wraps tight around the bundle.

Step 5

Pull both ends of the binding cord to secure the knot and wrap. Your knot should now be snug.

Note: Add a dab of adhesive to secure knot in place or leave as is so knot is able to slide back and forth across the bundled cords.

Have a question regarding this project? Email Customer Service.

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