How to Knot a Leather Necklace

© GeltDesigns 2009 All rights reserved.

Classical knotting gets an entirely new look when you use leather. This tutorial will demonstrate how to use classical pearl knotting techniques with beads and leather to create truly unique necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry.

Things You'll Need

• 2 mm leather cord
• leather cutter

Instructions

1. 

   Select your leather cord. Different colors and thickness will give different looks. 1.5 mm and 2 mm are good sizes for most lamp work glass beads.

2. 

   Arrange your beads in your desired pattern. Be sure the beads have a large enough hole to be strung on the leather.

3. To begin your leather and bead jewelry, make a loop at one end of the leather and tie an overhand knot to secure the loop. Slide a bead onto the leather below the loop.

4. 

   Make an overhand knot.

5. 

   Pull the knot tight.

6. 

   Slide a bead onto the leather. Make another knot and tie it tight. Repeat until you have made a leather and bead chain the length needed for your bracelet, necklace or other jewelry.

7. 

   To end your leather and bead jewelry, make a loop at the end of the leather, feed a bead onto the loop and tie an overhand knot to secure the loop. This will make a self toggle.

8. 

   If you do not want a self toggle, you can add commercial or handmade findings to the looped ends (rather than the bead).

Tips & Warnings

• For alternative finishes for this project, see our tutorial "How to Finish a Leather Necklace" in the resources links of this article.

Resources

• GeltDesigns
• Index of Jewelry Making & Glass Tutorials by Topic
• How to Finish a Leather Necklace