Combine the elegance of pearls with the glamour of gemstones in these free bead necklace patterns from Tammy Powley. The Geometric Gemstone and Pearl Knot Necklace is a great way to practice knotting.
This project is an excert from The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making by Tammy Powley.
Materials:
- Three 10-mm coin-shaped pearl beads
- Two 10-mm square-shaped pearl beads
- Twelve 4-mm light blue Czech fire-polished crystal beads
- Six 6-mm lapis lazuli gemstone beads
- Two sterling silver bead tips
- Scissors
- One number 3 dark blue
- Silk beading thread with attached needle
- One 10-mm square-shaped sterling silver toggle clasp
- Glue
- Awl
- Chain-nose pliers
- Ruler
Instructions:
- Begin the necklace by attaching a bead tip to one end of the beading thread.
- Use chain-nose pliers to attach one side of the toggle clasp to the hook on the bead tip.
- With a ruler, measure down 5" (12.7 cm) from the bead tip, and tie an overhand knot in the thread.
- String on beads in the following pattern: one crystal bead,one lapis bead, one crystal bead, one coin pearl, one crystal bead, one lapis bead, one crystal bead, and one square pearl.
- Repeat this bead pattern one time.
- String on beads in the follow pattern: one crystal bead,one lapis bead, one crystal bead, one coin pearl, one crystal bead, one lapis bead, and one crystal bead.
- Start forming a loose overhand knot, and insert an awl through it.
- Continue to hold the awl through the knot and, with the other hand, pull the thread so that the knot tightens a little around the awl and then push the knot up against the previously strung bead.
- While pulling the awl out of the knot, use your fingers to push the knot up against the bead.
- Measure 5" (12.7 cm) from the last knot just made, and attached a bead tip.
- Use chain-nose pliers to attach the other side of the toggle clasp to the hook on the bead tip.
