Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
on “Using the Snake Knot”:“How do you get that decorative silver bead in the middle of the square knot? Also, can…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“How do you get that decorative silver bead in the middle of the square knot?…” read »
- on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“looking forward to learning this!…” read »
- on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“Hi....my question is in regards to the ring used.....what is the gauge...or do you have it…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Great tutorial, looks easy. Now I want to try it. Thanks Ali.…” read »
- on “Making a Memory Wire bracelet”:
“Good morning all, hoping to learn from everyone here. I love beads, and am hoping to…” read »
on “The Simple Wire Bracelet”:“I'M HAVING A PROBLEM KEEPING THE WIRE PROTECTOR IN PLACE ...USING ECONOFLEX NYLON COATED .019IN. WIRE.CAN.T…” read »
- on “Making a Memory Wire bracelet”:
“I love making and selling memory wire bracelets. I advertise them as "One Size Fits Most."…” read »
- on “Using The Magic Finding”:
“I have seen the crimp beads here made in gold plated brass, which are much cheaper…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“I've made a lot of these...using gemstones & Fireline doubled (2 strands). Gemstones are very hard…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I used the elastic cord for awhile,but switched to the nylon cord for more strength(.05mm),because my…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“I like the crimp tubes better than the beads,myself,and use a crimp cover closer to give…” read »
- on “Making a Shamballa Bracelet”:
“What kind of glue is being used in this project?…” read »
on “Using a Crimp Cover”:“Great advice! I’ve been doing it wrong for so long and getting so frustrated and wasting…” read »
on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:“B Tuttle - ibuse Fireline on a regular. It’s durable and can stand the pulling…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“Gabriele P: the stretch cording comes in black and clear. They used black here.…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“best tutorial I've read in a long time. i'll be making some tonight!…” read »
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on “Wire Wrapped Cover on a Teardrop”:“I like the messy look! I think it's a lot more fun to create whimsical piece!…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“What about fireline? I know that the colors are not as plentiful as all the others.…” read »
on “Finishing Large Acrylic Chain”:“I love those! Thanks!…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“The stretch material used in this tutorial doesn’t seem like the one listed. Can someone please…” read »
- on “Using The Magic Finding”:
“After watching the videos, I decided to purchase tool and components and try it myself. A…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Yikes, I’m having the worst time trying to string that 20mm African turquoise guru bead. This…” read »
on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:“They don’t carry it anymore:(…” read »
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“How can I buy the bezel tag? I cannot find it on your site! …” read »
- on “Making a Fish Tail Braid”:
“Wonderfully easy to follow tutorial! Love the design results! Will be trying this knot.…” read »
- on “Making a Shamballa Bracelet”:
“Does the cord used have to be Chinese Knotting Cord or would C-Lon work?…” read »
- on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:
“Love the idea, where can I find the bezel tag. Every time I search for bezel…” read »
- on “Preparing and Using Resin”:
“Please try using customer service to ask your questions!…” read »
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“I want to dispense resin into small jewelry molds to look like real jewels, is there…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Thank you, thank you thankyou!! It took a bit of wiggling the needle around to go…” read »
on “How to Prevent Bubbles in Your Resin”:“Great tip. Do you have any tips for Doming?…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“Yes! Your advice is totally on the mark. Crimp tubes are a thousand times better than…” read »
- on “How to set a Nunn Design Glass Dome”:
“Are the coloured glass domes actually available to sell on lima beads? I can't imagine…” read »
- on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“Love the inked cork cord ideas! I just signed up for your newsletter. I read some…” read »
on “D.I.Y. Tassels”:“Tassels always add a "je ne sais quoi" to ANY piece of jewelry, whether made of…” read »
- on “Using the Square Knot”:
“Thank you for this video!!!…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“For those of you that noted your crimp BEADS seem to slip. I had the…” read »
on “How to use Katiedid components”:“Interesting tool…” 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 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 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 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 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 says:Oops, wrong pic sent. Square knots between beads…
On Jan 21, 2020 at 8:47 pm #
J Kanalas says:looking forward to learning this!
On Feb 15, 2020 at 2:08 pm #
kathrynfitzgerald says:How do you get that decorative silver bead in the middle of the square knot?
On Feb 15, 2020 at 2:13 pm #
kathrynfitzgerald says:How do you get that decorative silver bead in the middle of the square knot?
Also, can you use a match or lighter to burn end instead of buying the perfect thread burner?