Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
on “Adding a Focal to Patricia Healey Chain”:“I am a really gigantic fan of Patricia Healey's designs. I really love it that she…” read »
on “Using ‘Swellegant’ Metal Coatings & Colorants”:“It would probably be best if you visit Christi Friesen's site & ask the question there.…” read »
on “Using ‘Swellegant’ Metal Coatings & Colorants”:“Can the patina's or Swellegant line be mixed with epoxy to make a color for inlay?…” read »
- on “Crimping Basics”:
“thank you so much for this tutorial! you guys are great! love your site love your…” read »
on “D.I.Y. Tassels”:“I like the twine chosen. The varied pastel colors look so soft and pretty.…” read »
- on “Make a Bolo Necklace”:
“Leave it up to LIMA BEADS to bring us the latest, coolest and best findings and…” read »
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“Oops, wrong pic sent. Square knots between beads...…” read »
- on “Using Collapsible Beading Needles”:
“Love your site. Your selection of charms, beads, and supplies is a feast for jewelry artists.…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Using Chinese Knotting Cord 0.8mm Tibetan Agate matte 8mm, African Turq 6mm Joesphine macrame knot …” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Love this knot! It holds the bead in place and keeps it from spinning when I…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Wow this is gonna be fun learning!…” read »
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“I will definitely try this. Tana R -- Thanks for the heads up.…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“8mm gemstone rounds that 2 strands did not fit through that I tried: African Turquoise Tibetan Agate…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Got my order today to make bracelets using 8mm gemstone rounds, Chinese Knotting Cord 0.8mm using…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“I am definitely going to try this! I love the look of knotted work, but have…” read »
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“Oooooohhhhh ... this looks so cool, absolutely something I'll try.
…” read »
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“Thank you for the written and visual instructions for the snake knot! I found the…” read »
- on “Using a Helicopter Punch”:
“I'm using alcohol inks on your blanks and having a great time, experimenting.…” read »
on “DIY Pom-Poms”:“Who knew? A fork of all things! Looks like a fun way to make pom poms.…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“Depending on where you tie it, you could make tiny tassels too. Thanks for the…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“Brilliant, with a greater chance of uniformity than i am used to!…” read »
on “DIY Pom-Poms”:“A fork?! Of course! Brilliant! These are too cute! Time to go check out the bakers…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“What an easy way to make pompoms!…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“Adorable! I bet these would make cute earrings.…” read »
- on “Coloring Metal with Alcohol Inks”:
“I am excited to start using alcohol inks and especially on metel.…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Hi! Do you have any suggestions on a way to possibly tighten my threat on a…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Great video instructions but I wondered if you have ever created a PDF for it? I…” read »
- on “Rejuvenating Gilders Paste”:
“Alas, I've tried Gamsol too, with the same poor results - grainy, thinly tinted Gamsol. …” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“Great tips maybe my covers won't look so horrible now thanks a lot. Lisa Aceto…” read »
- on “Rejuvenating Gilders Paste”:
“Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! I have been looking for what to do with my…” read »
on “How to Use Colorful Enamel Accents”:“Would love it if they also came in metallics-gold, silver, copper, etc. I'd use a…” read »
- on “Using Tassel Caps”:
“How would you attach a bead/tiny crystal tassel to a tassel cap that does not have…” read »
- on “Wire Wrap a Bail on a Teardrop”:
“I love this. I could make a great pair of earrings with this way of…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Thank goodness you have examples of how to use your products.That puts you head and shoulders…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“These instructions are so easy. I had followed some others, and they were awful! …” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I've been making these for years, but never thought to glue both overhand sections of the…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I love making stretch bracelets. They are super easy and so stylish. I have not…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“A friend gave me a bunch of beads and asked me to make some stretch bracelets…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Thank you for the tip , I always wondered how to string it. Very helpful.
…” read » - on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“I love it. Can you use this technique with glass and crystal beads? I'm a fenatic…” read »
Learn to use the snake knot for knotting bracelets and necklaces. A snake knot is a round, well-balanced knot that sits between beads nicely. If you’re tying regular overhand knots between beads, we think you’ll love the snake knot. It’s a little tougher to master, but it produces beautiful results.
Gather your supplies…
To make a bracelet, you’ll need:
- 2 yards of Chinese Knotting Cord (cut into two equal lengths).
- Thread burner to finish the cord ends
- 8mm round beads
- Optional: your favorite adhesive to secure the knots
Step 1: Loop one strand over the other, as shown below. It is helpful to tape or secure your strands at the top of your work, so they stay in one place as you begin to knot.
Step 2: Loop the second strand as shown below. It helps to practice with two different colors of cord, so you can clearly see how the strands pass under and over each other.
Step 3: Pull the knot tight…
Step 4: You’re now ready to move on to the next bead!
You can finish your bracelet in many ways. One of our favorites is using the Square Knot (shown below, with a decorative bead in the middle of the knot). Have fun, and get creative!
Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On May 04, 2017 at 4:27 pm #
dolllady aka Pam says:Thank you for the written and visual instructions for the snake knot! I found the instructions very useful.
On May 04, 2017 at 7:52 pm #
CAS says:Oooooohhhhh … this looks so cool, absolutely something I’ll try.
On May 04, 2017 at 11:25 pm #
S KatollakaSue says:I am definitely going to try this! I love the look of knotted work, but have not been successful in placing them where I wanted. This looks like the answer!
On May 11, 2017 at 11:00 pm #
Tana R says:Got my order today to make bracelets using 8mm gemstone rounds, Chinese Knotting Cord 0.8mm using the snake knot. Very nice cord! You must use 2 strands of cord to make a snake knot. Well, doesn’t fit thur! I tried several different 8mm rounds. I tried the glue on the ends, idea…no work
Bummer! 0.8mm C-Lon cord doesn’t fit but I was hoping the new cord would. I know 2 strands 0.5mm C-Lon fits thur 8mm and most 6mm rounds but not 2 strands of the 0.8mm cords!grrr
Lesson learned…
The Chinese Knotting Cord isn’t slippery and is easier to work with than the C-Lon cord.
On May 11, 2017 at 11:17 pm #
Tana R says:8mm gemstone rounds that 2 strands did not fit through that I tried:
African Turquoise
Tibetan Agate (molten and the banded)
Chyrsoprase
African Opal Rondelle
On May 15, 2017 at 1:20 pm #
Crystal Canary says:I will definitely try this.
Tana R — Thanks for the heads up.
On May 15, 2017 at 2:30 pm #
Poohbear_jessiejames34 says:Wow this is gonna be fun learning!
On May 23, 2017 at 3:54 pm #
Tana R says:Love this knot! It holds the bead in place and keeps it from spinning when I pick fav side of gemstone I want showing, “this side up” using 0.5mm C-Lon cord 2 strands fit through my Alaska jade 10mm same size hole as 8mm…
Ali, can you find 0.5mm Chinese Knotting cord?
Thanks, Tans
On May 23, 2017 at 4:09 pm #
Tana R says:Using Chinese Knotting Cord 0.8mm
Tibetan Agate matte 8mm, African Turq 6mm
Joesphine macrame knot
On May 23, 2017 at 8:33 pm #
Tana R says:Oops, wrong pic sent. Square knots between beads…