How to Knot Pearls with Silk Cord

To knot pearls, you string them on silk cord and tie a small overhand knot between every pearl, sliding each knot snug against its pearl with an awl or knotting tweezers before you add the next one. The knots keep the pearls from rubbing against one another, and if the cord ever breaks, only 1 pearl can slip off. You need a strand of pearls, a card of silk sized to the pearl holes, a clasp, a knotting tool and a little glue. Here is how to choose the silk and knot an 18 inch necklace.

We carry Griffin 100% silk cord on 2 meter cards with a fine stainless steel needle already attached, so there is nothing to thread. Pair it with our freshwater pearl beads.

What You Need for an 18 Inch Pearl Necklace

Choosing the Silk Size for the Pearl Hole

Griffin silk runs from size 0, which is 0.3 mm thick, to size 16, at 1.05 mm; we stock sizes 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16. Use the thickest silk that passes through the pearl hole without forcing. Thicker silk ties a bigger knot that cannot slip into the hole, while silk that is too thick frays as you pull it through and can chip the nacre.

Go by the hole, not the pearl size: pearls are drilled small, and the hole varies from strand to strand. Our freshwater strands list holes of 0.3 to 0.4 mm, which suits size 0, 1 or 2. Use the table as a starting point:

Test first: if the silk drags or frays through 2 or 3 pearls, drop a size. With the French wire method, the 3 pearls at each end carry 2 thicknesses of silk, so test those with the cord doubled or use bead tips.

How to Knot Pearls, Step by Step

Step 1: Lay Out the Pearls

Cut the pearls off their temporary string onto a bead board and set them in order, matching size and color. Each knot adds roughly 1 mm.

Step 2: Pre-Stretch the Silk

Silk stretches as it is worn, so stretch it first or gaps will open between knots and pearls later. Unwind the card, hold a 12 inch section between your hands and pull firmly, then work your way along the cord. This also takes out the kinks from the card.

Step 3: Attach the First Half of the Clasp

Bead tip method. Tie 2 or 3 overhand knots on top of each other at the end of the silk, add a dot of G-S Hypo Cement and trim the tail. Pass the needle through the bead tip from inside the cup so the knot sits in the cup, and close the cup with chain-nose pliers. Tie a knot against the outside of the bead tip and start stringing.

French wire method. Put a bead stopper on the silk about 4 inches from the end. String 3 pearls, a 3/8 inch (1 cm) piece of French wire or a wire guardian, and the clasp. Pass the needle back through the third pearl, the one next to the clasp, and pull until the French wire closes into a snug loop around the clasp ring. Tie a knot, pass through the second pearl and knot, then through the first pearl and knot again. The tail now runs through those 3 pearls beside the main cord.

Step 4: Knot Between Every Pearl

Slide the next pearl down against the last knot and tie a loose overhand knot after it.

With an awl: put the awl tip through the loop of the knot and rest it against the pearl. Hold the cord taut and slide the awl down so the knot travels to the pearl, then pull the cord to close the knot and slip the awl out as it tightens.

With knotting tweezers: grip the cord inside the loop right up against the pearl, pull the cord until the knot closes down onto the tips, then release and pull it snug.

Repeat for every pearl, keeping each knot tight against its pearl.

Step 5: Finish the Second End

Bead tip method. After the last pearl and its knot, pass the needle through a second bead tip from the outside so the cord comes up into the cup. Tie 2 or 3 overhand knots inside the cup, pushing them down with the awl, add a dot of glue, trim and close the cup. Close each bead tip's hook around the clasp loop or a jump ring.

French wire method. Knot until 3 pearls are left. String them without knots, then French wire and the other half of the clasp. Pass back through the last pearl, pull the French wire snug and knot, then go through the next 2 pearls, knotting after each.

Step 6: Glue and Trim

Put a small dot of G-S Hypo Cement on the knots where the tails come out and let it dry. Trim both tails close with sharp scissors, which also cuts away the needle.

Tips for Even, Tidy Knots

Keep the tension even. Pull every knot with the same firmness. A loose knot leaves a gap, and pulling too hard thins the silk beside the knot.

Practice first. Knot a short strand of inexpensive beads on leftover silk until your knots look the same every time.

Why the knots matter. Pearls are soft, about 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale, and pearls strung tight together slowly wear their nacre where they touch. Knots keep them apart, and if the strand breaks, the pearls stay on the cord instead of scattering. For cleaning and storing the finished piece, see How to Care for Pearl and Amber Jewelry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size silk do I use to knot pearls?

Match the silk to the hole. For pearls with 0.3 to 0.4 mm holes, like most freshwater strands, start with Griffin size 1 or 2; pearls drilled 0.6 mm or larger take size 4 to 8.

How much silk do I need for an 18 inch knotted necklace?

Plan on about 4 times the finished length. A single 2 meter Griffin card covers an 18 inch knotted strand.

Do you have to knot between pearls?

No, but it is the traditional way to string good pearls. Without knots, the pearls rub together and a broken strand scatters every pearl.

Can I knot pearls with nylon cord instead of silk?

Yes. Nylon bead cord is strong and stretches less than silk but is stiffer and drapes less softly. Check its diameter against the pearl hole the same way.

Shop Pearl Knotting Supplies

Find Griffin silk in sizes 0 to 16 in our silk cord collection, strands to knot in pearl beads, knotting tweezers and awls in jewelry making tools, and clasps in jewelry findings. For knotting gemstone beads, see How to Make a Mala Necklace.