Better Beader Episode 28 - Working with Silk Cording

In this video tutorial from PotomacBeads, Allie shows how to work with silk cording to repair or create your own designs.
Click here for complete bead & jewelry-making supply lists:
➡️www.potomacbeads.com/how-to/b...
Enjoy using this Better Beader tutorial video to help you become a more creative and happier beader!

[@brookspa94]

Once again Allie, I THANK YOU & your team for sharing your time, knowledge, skills, & resources with all of us! You all work SO HARD & spend so MUCH of your precious time trying to HELP us beaders/ jewelry makers, It's obvious you TRULY care about us! I want you to KNOW that I SINCERELY APPRECIATE your compassion, & dedication in ALL you do! Hugs 2U!

[@clairebacchi360]

Very useful information. I have a lot of beads that I want to knot but, not didn't know all these useful hints. You rock! 😊

[@Potomacbeadco]

Thanks so much Claire!

[@amandajones6481]

Thank you so much Allie for making this video, it's wonderful to see all the different ways you can use Griffin Silk or Nylon Thread. I've got a great tip to share with everyone. It wasn't my idea but I will pass it on! To get the kinks out of the Griffin Silk or Nylon thread, there's no need to pre - stretch it or soak it in water and weight it down, or any of the other long winded things that I know I used to do!! All you need is a small, travel hair - straightener. I bought mine from a local pharmacy, it's perfect and they're really cheap to buy. I payed about $10.00au for mine. Just plug it in and let it heat up, then run your thread/cord through it. The kinks come out immediately and you're good to go! I really can't recommend this highly enough guys, so please get one. . Lots of love from Amanda in Melbourne, Australia ❤ xox

[@Potomacbeadco]

Thanks for sharing. Great tip!

[@sandracook9600]

Allie~~ I appreciate soooooo much your better beader series. It helps more than you know. Great idea, time well spent and appreciated. Thank you.

[@Potomacbeadco]

That's so lovely, thanks, Sandra!

[@miriamsanudo-thomas876]

This was great, I was not aware I could get the knot covers! Your pacing and instructions were great. Thank you.

[@felicianoel4880]

Very nice instructional videos . Some of the demonstration is covered by the next writing !

[@sharonkrochmal9474]

Thank you for this video. I love Griffin silk cord and have used it to make lariat style necklaces and long necklaces. Easy to work with. I do put weights on the ends and hang it over the shower curtain rod to stretch it. It has a beautiful drape and I find it to have less stretch over time than regular beading wire.

[@karenraabis5296]

Thank you! I didn’t know to stretch it first. Totally makes sense.

[@martacizmarik6270]

Thank you Allie - great tutorial! I have some of those silk cords at home but have never used them. Now I know how I should use them. Also, I thought I could use them only for knotting pearls but you introduced it for using gemstones, chips, etc. So glad I watched it.😍

[@joc0553]

Thank you Allie! I have watched 2 of your better beader videos tonight. Very interesting and to the point. keep them coming

[@Potomacbeadco]

Thanks, glad you like them.

[@sue7777]

Hi Allie-thanks for sharing some info about silk cording and a few knotting techniques with us. The only thing I have used Griffin Silk for was a very long Kumihimo necklace using 11/0 Delica beads--having the needle already attached to the cording made it soooo much easier to string the delica beads.

[@Blooming8805]

Hi Sue, could you please advice on what size of Griffin Silk to use for Miyuki seed beads 11/0? Thank you!

[@sue7777]

@@Blooming8805 Hi AdeBunmi Lambo--I don't really remember what size Griffin Silk I used for the necklace I made, so, I suggest you contact Potomac Beads at their customer service and ask them. You'll get a more accurate answer there.

[@Blooming8805]

@@sue7777 Thank you, will do :)

[@isabelm.ortizo.5557]

For a perfect knot very closet to the clamp or what ever you are using I work with a pin. I put it inside the not before tightening it and slide the knot to the correctamente place, then withdraw the pin. Very easy.

[@Potomacbeadco]

What a clever idea, Isabel!

[@pegmarmn2587]

I use a corsage pin - perfect length and easy to hold..

[@kod4486]

I use a soldering pick!

[@MGLifeHacks]

Thank you SO much for this video, I appreciate it. I’m finally getting back into beading and needed a great refresher and tips, your video is absolutely perfect. Thanks again!

[@Potomacbeadco]

You are so welcome!

[@lauradegourse8048]

Loved the tutorial. Learned what I needed to know. Thanks

[@Potomacbeadco]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sandrabigelow281]

Great tutorial that gave me great information as a beginner!

[@Potomacbeadco]

Glad it was helpful!

[@meloneebeal1060]

Hi Allie. Great information regarding how to use silk cording. I've used it once......I used the Beadalon Knoting tool. It took me some time to finish, but the necklace I made was beautiful....I was able to sell it at an event I had set up a booth to sell some of my jewelry. Your video has inspired me to make another necklace....Thanks so much for the video series you are doing.....I appreciate you and your team for helping us that are still learning!! :)

[@Potomacbeadco]

Thank you, Melonee!

[@alikc25]

Thank you for the video.

[@Potomacbeadco]

Hope you find it useful, Lily. 😃

[@jariech87]

Thank you

[@Lightharvest-dd2bf]

Thank you for your tutorials. I need to make a choker-length single strand silk cord necklace that is soft as possible, with a non-scratchy clasp. I'll be adding a charm, and maybe a couple of decorative knots. The clasp should not be tiny, and should be easy to use. I'm a complete novice, so any suggestions would be welcome!

[@Potomacbeadco]

www.potomacbeads.com/silk-thread

[@Potomacbeadco]

www.potomacbeads.com/claspgarten-clasp-barrel-1-strand-silver-rhodium-plated#attr=105509,105510,105511,105512

[@tyrroo]

FYI for everyone in the comments, knot covers are also known as "calottes"

[@Potomacbeadco]

That's true, Tyrroo.

[@clarissalines4544]

Great ingo💕💕

[@catawbacats]

I love working with silk cord - great episode! Could you post the link for the Chakra Necklace you mentioned? Ty!

[@Potomacbeadco]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oF60mHmpoLaehbs Here is the Mala one that you can do with Chakra stones

[@clairebacchi360]

Have a question. How do I know what size knot cover to buy. Can I use the same knot cover for 4 & 8, or 6 & 10? I'm assuming size 10 is the thickest size thread.

[@ShoryoTombo]

I would like to know how do you determine the proper size of the silk thread to the size of the beads? Is there a chart that can tell you what size thread to buy for the size beads? I want to thread a blue jasper beads size 8mm but don't know what size of the thread should be. Thank you! Love this tutorial! I just learned a lot more than I realize. Except the size of the threads to the beads.

[@chriskramer7970]

Right around 3 minutes in she touches on this. 4 mm bead… usually will work w number 4 silk. 8 mm bead number 8 silk. Not an exact science since bead holes are all different.

[@Vquiin]

💜💜

[@richellealcock2866]

Great video, I’m thinking of using silk cord in some of my pieces to replace beadalong steel wire. I find with constant wear and just a light piece, iLife span is about 1.5 years. Less for heavier details. How would you compare the silk thread for durability? This is with constant everyday wear and in the water?I like to road test things before I sell but this is a long time to wait haha

[@Potomacbeadco]

The silk cord holds up really well and is very durable. It can wear over time, but it is not as dainty as it sounds

[@Isabelonvideo]

Hi again. At your 5:41 mark, the simple " tight a knot and glue " is how I am looking to finish my gifts to my loved ones, it has a real DIY appeal. I hope this doesn't sound silly but I went though your knotting video and I did not find the simple knot tutorial ...can you please link the video ? Thank you 🦋.

[@Potomacbeadco]

You can check the tutorial here: www.potomacbeads.com/Simple-Beaded-Slip-Knot-Bracelet-Tutorial-s/5703.htm

[@rhondawilliams9449]

Thank you for taking the time to explain the silk cording and covers. It was a little confusing for me at the end. I am not sure why you would create an exposed knot after covering the second to the last knot at the end. See, spelling it out doesn't even make sense. LOL. Unless you are not covering both but just the very last one. Is that correct? If so, why the need for two knots at the end at all? Also, have you ever used a surgeons knot for your knotting technique? It looks more like a macrame stitch than a knot. Very nice.

[@tyrroo]

The extra knot was to echo the first knot at the beginning of the piece. So, starting from one end of the piece, you have: 1) the clasp 2) one or more jump ring(s) 3) the knot cover, which is clamped around a "functional" knot 4) a (decorative) knot 5) the first bead 6) a knot 7) the second bead etc etc, until you get to 9) the last bead 10) a knot 11) a knot cover, which is clamped around another "functional" knot 12) jump ring and clasp Hope that helps!

[@rhondawilliams9449]

Thank you, tyroo .

[@tyrroo]

You're very welcome

[@lisaanderson135]

Hi Allie! I just watched the better beaver episode today about pearl knotting. I have to fix, for the 4th time, a necklace of 2-3mm faceted gemstone beads. As you know, they have such tiny holes! I used size 19 Beadalon wire in the.25mm thickness. I remembered that silk is extremely strong, but I don’t think I have the right thickness for the “surgery “ of this poor piece of jewelry. What size of stringing cords would you recommend for such delicate work? I am getting pretty frustrated with trying so many different ways to do this

[@Potomacbeadco]

Hi Lisa, you could use a size 1 or 2 silk. Other wire I would recommend would be the .015 Beadalon 49 strand.

[@Isabelonvideo]

Hello there. I have 3 4 6 and 8 gemstones in one necklace... what number silk cord would you recommend? Thank you have really helped me with my confidence in beading! I want to gift some necklaces and bracelets to the mothers in my life and I really want to make it a quality piece !. Thank you 🌹

[@Potomacbeadco]

I would recommend a size 4! I am so happy we have been able to help with your beading journey!

[@dutchbibi3241]

I make the silk cord wet before working with it. Love what's hanging in your ears!

[@tyrroo]

But then you let it dry, right? Or do you work with it wet?

[@dutchbibi3241]

Yes wet, but not to much, I don't now how they say that in english. It shrinks a little bit.

[@tyrroo]

The english word you want is probably "damp". I've never thought of wetting silk cord before using, I just may try it. Thanks for the info!

[@dalemills7926]

The whole truest thing about knotting pearls is to keep pearls from rubbing and damaging them..I buy reclaimed pearls that have been abused , throwing damaged ones out and remaking what's left

[@Potomacbeadco]

I am so glad to hear that you are making old new again! That is so wonderful

[@TH-dj3zo]

Hi, one spool of the silk thread with knots between 6mm pearls how long will it be???

[@Potomacbeadco]

One spool of Griffin silk is usually enough for most projects. It's 2 metres long.

[@TH-dj3zo]

​@@PotomacbeadcoThx for the quick response. So what does that mean. If I'm using 6mm pearl with knots right next to the pearl. How long would one spool give me? I'm looking to make a 30 inch neckless. So how many spools do I need?

[@immaculateorganicsoaps3533]

@@TH-dj3zo The spool is 6feet 5inches of silk your project is only 2feet 6inches. So with one spool you can at two and still have. Silk left over. Love to see your design.

[@tyrroo]

@T H One spool will definitely be enough to make a very long necklace, even 30 inches. And you'll probably even have enough leftover to make a matching 7-8" bracelet, too. But you may not be able to make two long necklaces with one spool of thread, because all the knotting will take up several inches of length.