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The length and weight of your beading cord is very important when knotting.
I usually buy beading cord from Fire Mountain
Gems or from Rio Grande.
Types of Beading Cord and Weight
You need a weight that is thin enough to allow you to slip the beads over the cord when stringing
them. But, it must also be heavy enough to form a knot that the bead can not slip over. You
may have to experiment with your beading cord, and if necessary double it to ensure you get a big enough
knot.
I started out using Gudebrod Silk Thread for all of my necklaces. I suggest using the heavier
weights for glass beads, such as size E, F, or even FF. I use size D for pearls. In fact, silk is the
best cord to use for pearls and gemstones. Your finished necklace will drape more gracefully when
you use silk.
I have been using "Silkon" Bonded Nylon Thread for my glass bead necklaces. This cord is much less
expensive, and tends to be more resilient than the silk thread. It is a little harder to work with,
though, and the finished necklace is a bit stiffer than those made with silk thread. I use the
medium weight, size three thread for glass beads. But, you will need to use a lighter weight for pearls
and other gemstones.
Both the silk and nylon come in a nice selection of colors to choose from. If you are going to be
placing knots between the beads, I find that the color of the cord can really change the look of a
necklace, so it is important to consider that when designing your necklace.
Thread Length
When knotting between your beads, you have to remember to select a length of cord that is at least twice as long as the finished necklace will be. This is because the knots will take up the extra cord. For my necklaces I always use a doubled thread, so the actual length is more than four times that of the finished necklace. Unwinding all of this thread can be a bit of a nuisance, and if my cat Vanilla catches me doing this, then a tangled mess is hard to avoid!
Beading Needles
Once you have your beading cord cut, thread it on a beading needle. There are a variety of beading needles available. I use twisted wire needles. I like them because they have a loop at the end that threads easily and then flattens out to fit through the beads. They are available in different sizes. For pearls you will need a finer needle, but for most projects I use a medium size, which is easier to work with.