Necklaces without Clasps

Techniques

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Start with the Right Bead, Remember Not to Knot

If your necklace will be 26 inches or longer, you can get away with making it without a clasp. Follow these instructions to hide your end knots and give the appearance of a continuous loop.

Start with the Right Bead

Start your necklace with the right length of doubled thread and tie a knot at the end. Then you can begin to string your beads. The first bead that you string must have a hole that is wide enough to allow you to string the thread through it twice. This is because when you finish the necklace you will be pulling the thread back through this first bead. So, you might want to experiment a bit to make sure your thread is the right weight to accomplish this. I have never had a problem using heavy weight nylon thread with Czech beads, but some semi-precious stones beads have smaller holes.

Remember Not to Knot

Whichever method you use to knot your beads, it is important to remember to not place a knot between the first and second beads. Also, when you get to the last bead, don't place a knot after it. When that last bead is in place, pull the thread through the first bead to finish the necklace. Then, place a knot around the thread between the first and second bead. You will have a continuous loop necklace, with no extra knots. Remember to set your end beads with super glue or clear nail polish so that your necklace does not unravel.