Pearl Necklace
Knotting with the Tri-Cord™ Knotter
by Lyn Sutton

Photo of finished piece by Donna Chiarelli;all other photos courtesy of the author.

Stringing pearls is an age-old process. With valuable pearls, the choice of "to knot, or not to knot" between the pearls could mean the difference between losing two and losing or damaging all of them if the strand were to break.

Pearls should be restrung every 1-2 years, depending on the amount of wear and the exposure to hair spray, perfume, body oils, lotions, moisture, and perspiration they receive. These elements can wear and dirty the silk and cause a potential break point for the strand.

The real "difficulty" in pearl stringing is not in the skills; it's in not getting impatient with yourself as you learn and practice stringing and tying techniques. All that's required is practice for professional results. With practice, the process will become easier and more satisfying!

The Tri-Cord™ Knotter tool (right) is easy to use once you learn the process and practice it. This may feel awkward as you practice, but once mastered you'll find it's an easy process.

Please note: Stringing with the Tri-Cord™ Knotter is all about finesse, not about strength. If you pull too hard, you can shred your cord or cut it. Use pressure, not force, for optimal results.

The steps below are devised for a right-handed person. If you're left-handed, as I am, I'd recommend you try the right-handed process below. I find it feels comfortable and I have some control with my left hand free. If it's awkward, switch the left hand/right hand order in the steps below.

See "Pearl Necklace" on page 45 of the August 2003 Lapidary Journal, for an alternate stringing method and complete instructions on starting and finishing this necklace. Also see "Super Strings" by Sharon Elaine Thompson, on page 26 of the August 2003 Lapidary Journal for more information on stringing.

Point the 2 fingers of your left hand as if you were shooting at something to your right.

Separate your index and middle fingers so there is a V space between them. Your thumb will be pointed up.

Fold your ring and pinky fingers in (your hand will look as though you're making a pretend gun).

Take the one pearl at the bottom of the cord in your right hand. Remember that all your motions will be moving away from you. This helps you to create a knot without a twist, crucial in making knots with the Tri-Cord™ Knotter.

Go over and around your two fingers with the cord. Grab the tail of the cord with your ring and pinky fingers to help keep it out of the way.

Keep holding the pearl in your right hand. When you've looped the cord completely around your left-hand fingers once, rotate your left thumb toward your stomach, then turn your left hand away from yourself and point your two fingers down (like you're pointing with your index and middle fingers at something on the ground in front of you).

Drop the pearl in your right hand down through looped cord, into the V of your left-hand fingers. Now relax your shoulders and your hands. You've made your first knot. Remember patience here.

Now pick up the Tri-Cord™ tool with your right hand and, working away from you, use only the awl to pick up the loop you've made. Place your right-hand index finger on the side of the awl (not on top) to keep the string from sliding off.

While still holding the tail of the cord in your ring and pinky fingers, slide out your left-hand index and middle fingers from the cord loop. Holding the Tri-Cord™ tool straight out and away from your stomach (always work away from yourself), transfer the cord tail into your left-hand index finger and thumb.

Keep your finger on the cord at the awl with your right hand; if the knot slips off it will be difficult or impossible to remove or reposition.

Pull the cord up (not out or down) to move the knot close to the pearl. Once it's close, let go of the cord from your left hand and grasp it closer to the work.

Keep your finger on the cord at the awl with your right hand; if the knot slips off it will be difficult or impossible to remove or reposition.

Take the cord in your left hand (about 6" - 12" away from the knot) and feed it over the V-groove in the Tri-Cord™ tool. Be aware of how much pressure you are putting on the cord and how hard you are pulling on it with your left hand. You should be exerting steady pressure, but not pulling on the cord too hard. Relax your grip with both your hands. This is a process of steady pressure and not a test of strength. If you continually pull too hard on the cord, it may fray or actually cut through the cord. If this happens, your only recourse is to begin again!

As you exert pressure on the cord, watch as the knot travels up the awl. This is moving the knot into its final position. At this time, remove your index finger from the awl. Do not pull up with your left hand. Keep a steady lateral position (or slightly downward pressure) on the left as you make one push with your thumb to move the knot up and off the awl. Your first Tri-Cord™ knot is complete!

Remember to pull up another pearl before beginning your next Tri-Cord™ knot. Continue the process (Steps 1-10) until all pearls are knotted.

If twisting occurs, be sure to drop your strand often and allow the cord to untwist itself.

Once you've finished knotting all of your pearls, except for the last 3 with larger holes, refer to "Finishing a strand," in "Pearl Necklace", Lapidary Journal, August 2003.