Busy hands | Disquiet mind

I am haphazardly working on projects, and have just replaced my soldering iron, so I should have more to show soon. In the meantime I'm occupying myself with little things that I should already know. Like stringing some beads on some string. This is useful knowledge.


The first method to do this is simply wrapping a length of waxed cotton cord around an item (in the middle of the length of cord). Then passing the two tails through a single bead and knotting them so they don't fall back through. It is really simple, and works well. Except that the cord needs to be long enough to go over your head. And the bead needs to have a wide enough hole to fit the two widths of cord.

Simple single bead necklace fastening
Photo by chebe

To get a shorter necklace the length needs to be adjustable (or to open). Doing this is also really simple, once you've done it once. Take a length of cord in a circle, overlap the ends. Place one of the ends under the cord parallel to it, and then do an overhand (aka regular) knot to itself. Repeat for other tail. (Try it, it makes sense once you see it.) Now it can be long enough to go over your head, and tight enough for a choker style necklace. (And you can use thick nylon cord without having to worry about fitting through any beads.)

Adjustable double-overhand necklace fastening
Medallion by Coral Mallow
Photo by chebe

Next I have to acquire some crimp beads, spiral clasps, and other such fun findings. At least now I can wear my pretties.

The beading log I'd hoped to keep didn't work out. Needless to say the last couple of beading posts were a result of my frustration with a certain brand of beads and their inexact sizings. And I'm nothing if not exacting. Noting the other information, like what size needles, thread, and beads go together is helpful, but more something that can be summed up at the end of a project. Like now :)

First up we have the aforementioned Square Stitch[1] bracelet. I didn't like the design in the book[0] so I changed it a little. Inspired by my favourite terminal colours I went for green-on-black, with just two kinds of beads; the green metal-lined rounded cubes, and the plain glossy black seed beads. And because I spend a lot of time typing I've found bracelets can often get in the way or hurt, I want all mine to be as thin as possible. So instead of large round beads I've used flat diamond beads.

The seed beads are size 11, and two fit side-by-side to each of the cubes. Black Nymo thread, size D (0.012" diameter), with size 10 beading needle. You make each panel individually, and then string them together. You start in the middle (with the green beads) then add five rows, then start decreasing by two at each end. Repeat for other side. Make three, and two half panels. String together with the diamond beads, measure for fit, adding extra rows to the two half-panels as needed. Attach 5-bar clasp. (This is all the instruction given in the book. I attempted to Square Stitch it in, but don't think it worked too well. Will have to look up how to do it properly.)

( Pictures )

Second we have a simple little bracelet that uses both Ladder Stitch[2] and Brick Stitch[3], and isn't actually in the book. Black Nymo thread, size D (0.012" diameter), with size 10 beading needle (two needles are needed for doing the clasp). The bugle beads (~6mm) in gunmetal gray are done first in Ladder Stitch to the desired length. Then the black glossy size 11 seed beads are added as a trim. I started at the bobble-clasp end, worked down one end in Brick Stitch, added the loop-clasp end, then worked back up the other end in Brick Stitch.

I like this bracelet, the metallic bugles catch the light and seem to have a thick black outline as if drawn, kinda unusual. Yet it's very light and thin, and was made without any findings.


( References )

Was looking around the internet for LED jewelery, you know, to get inspired. Most of the tutorials out there are for fabric cuff bracelets. Most of the products available to buy are bracelets and necklaces. So, curiosity overtook me and I tried my hand at making a necklace.

( What I tried... )